Hunger is rampant on community college campuses across the nation, and schools in the area are looking at food pantries to help feed students.

A 2017 study conducted by Wisconsin’s Hope Lab found that two in three students are food insecure, meaning they lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. A 2015 study conducted by the same group found that about half of community college students were food insecure.

“Food and housing insecurity among the nation’s community college students threatens their health and well-being, along with their academic achievements,” the report states in its executive summary. “Addressing these basic needs is critical to ensuring that more students not only start college, but also have the opportunity to complete degrees.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressed food inadequacies in January in his State of the State address.

Cuomo unveiled a desire to have all SUNY and CUNY schools provide a physical food pantry or enable students to receive food through another arrangement.

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