UWM Student Invites Bernie Sanders to Campus to Learn About Food Insecurity

Posted on by

At the start of the semester, the first thing on most college students’ to-do list is to find a way to pay for all the books, bills, and monthly rent checks. 

UWM Student Emma Fath understands what it means to be two months into the semester and realize I have no money. Fath had to decide to cut back on something to make ends meet and food was the only option.

Now she’s tweeting the story to Bernie Sanders and participating in the #RiseChallenge that invites presidential candidates to shadow a college student, to see what it’s like to be a student in today’s climate. 

The #RiseChallenge is sponsored by Rise-Free origination, which is an organization that believes it’s important for people to rise above their challenges. Part of that included pushing potential presidential elects to see how college students are affected by food insecurity and the costs of receiving an education in America. 

With the 2020 Presidential Election insight, food insecurity and college debt are big concerns for college voters.

“I think the first candidate that does this, it will be a big ideal for them,” says Fath, “It’s going to show that they do actually care and that it’s not just another policy point.”

Fath is a full-time student living off of soup, warmed up buttered tortillas or pasta once a day and like many other college students at UWM’s campus, struggles with food insecurity.   

After working a full-time job over the summer and maintaining a part-time job on campus during the semester, there just isn’t enough to cover the costs of school and basic needs. 

“I hate to say it, but I’ve gotten used to not eating three times a day and just basically eating once,” says Fath.

During Fall 2016-2017, UWM’s Student Association conducted a campus-wide survey addressing food insecurity. The survey showed that 38.9% of UWM students who responded to the survey have cut meal sizes or skipped meals due to lack of money for food.

Not only is this a problem at UWM, but it has shown to be prevalent among many colleges in the United States. 

According to AACU (Association of American colleges), 47 percent of four-year college students reported food insecurity.

“The effects of chronic starvation lead to more chronic illnesses, both physical and psychological. It can lead to malnutrition, heart problems, digestive problems, vitamin and c hormone deficiency as well as depression, anxiety, irritability and apathy,” says UWM Clinical Professor Stacey Nye.  

UWM has made strides to combat food insecurity on campus. The UWM Food Center and Pantry is open on Mondays from 11 A.M. – 1 P.M. and every Thursday at 9 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. for the Fall 2019 semester. 

Students can also come on the first Thursday of each month when the Hunger Task Force Fresh Picks Mobile Market is at UWM. The program offers fresh produce, meat and dairy items that students can purchase for a discounted price.

In addition to these resources UWM offers an emergency grant to students who are struggling to pay for their basic needs.

 “Adding on to the stress of classes by worrying about where your next meal is or if you’re going to eat that day isn’t how we help people succeed, it’s how people drop out because they couldn’t do it,” says Fath.

Call *211 for Emergency Food Assistance