COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A bipartisan bill with a $2.5 million budget aims to help college students battling food insecurity.
“We don’t want hunger to prevent our workforce from being prepared to take on the jobs that will be available, and we’re working hard to bring those jobs to Ohio,” said Rep. Dave Dobos (R-Columbus).
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House Bill 590, or the Hunger-Free Campus Act, was introduced by Rep. Dobos and Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma). Rep. Dobos said some studies show 48 percent of college students face some form of food insecurity during their higher education.
“It makes it harder to concentrate in class and harder to study, especially outside of class,” Dobos said.
The new bill aims to ease this burden by allowing state and private nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a commitment to the basic need of addressing food insecurity to receive grant funding from a $2.5 million allocation. The bill would require the state Secretary of Higher Education to establish the Hunger-Free Campuses Grant Program.
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To receive the Hunger-Free Campus designation and be eligible for grant funding, a university must meet criteria in one of two categories:
Condition 1 (either one must be met)
Provide free meals to students who are identified as food insecure or set up an emergency fund on campus. Set up a food pantry or charity on campus.
Condition 2 (3 conditions must be met)
Share information about food assistance and basic needs security programs Designate an employee on campus as a contact for information about food assistance and basic needs security programs Personally notify students who may be eligible for SNAP benefits Conduct a campus-wide survey assessing student food security at least once every two years Sponsor at least one event per semester to spread awareness
“What we’re trying to do is not start a new program,” Dobos said, “what we’re trying to do is help students access programs that already exist — whether that’s an existing food pantry or a campus cafeteria that already exists and is already providing food. So we’re not trying to build a new wheel. All we’re trying to do is help students access a wheel that’s already been built.”
The bill was well received in initial discussion, but some committee members sought assurances that the distribution of grant money would be equitable.
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“This is for anyone who needs it,” Dobos said, “and of course there are campuses that have larger student populations and a higher percentage of students who are financially challenged, so in that respect it will probably serve those schools the most.”
NBC4 reached out to colleges and universities across the state about the bill.
Ohio State University has not taken a position on the bill but said in a statement that it is “proud of our programs to support students in need and will continue to work with the Legislature and other partners on new and innovative ways to best support students during their time at Ohio State.”
OSU’s programs include an on-campus food pantry and emergency financial assistance for students who are at risk of dropping out of college due to unexpected and unplanned financial emergencies, such as food insecurity.
In a statement, Miami University said, “Miami University strives to meet the needs of all students, including those who experience food insecurity. In reviewing the proposed bill, it appears that all we currently offer is what is proposed. However, we would welcome a bill that would provide grant funding to supplement these efforts.”
The university said it has been surveying students about food insecurity since 2018 as part of its annual Miami Health Survey. It also has programs such as a food pantry and a meal plan assistance program where students can donate unused meal plan vouchers to students in need.
Cleveland State University did not issue a statement on the bill but listed its “Lift Up Vikes!” food pantry as one of the resources it provides to help students.
NBC4 also reached out to Wright State University and Youngstown State University but did not receive a response.
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The bill only had its first reading before Parliament recessed for the summer, and it probably won’t get a second reading for several months.
“Ultimately what we’re trying to do is get schools to recognize that this may be an issue and bring it to their attention to students who would benefit from this,” Dobos said.
