Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 7, 2023 Student-Led Lobby Day at State House Champions College Hunger Student advocates and legislators call for an end to hunger on college campuses through advocacy and legislation O n the morning of March 30, 2023, over 60 students, legislators and advocates convened at the Massachusetts State House for a student-led lobby day around the often-overlooked issue of college hunger. As 37 percent of public university students in Massachusetts face food insecurity, and with the Healey Administration’s focus on keeping the Massachusetts workforce competitive and higher education aff ordable for all, the Massachusetts Hunger-Free Campus Coalition and MASSPIRG Students (part of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group) congregated around deep-rooted food insecurity among students and corresponding legislation to relieve it. The Massachusetts Hunger-Free Campus Coalition (HFCC) assembles over 40 colleges, students advocates and anti-poverty organizations to dismantle barriers to healthy, consistent meals for students. Co-led by The Greater Boston Food Bank, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, HFCC promotes food access through awareness and advocacy, and connects students facing food insecurity with federal assistance programs and other resources. MASSPIRG Students represent colleges across the state, organizing students around issues of public health, climate change and democracy. During the program, speakers shared personal experiences and called for prioritization of the urgent issue alongside legislative action. The program called for the passing of An Act establishing the Massachusetts Hunger-Free Campus Initiative (S.835/H.1293), which would fund hunger relief solutions and resources across college campuses, including food pantries and educational resources around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and provide a single point of contact for hunger needs on campuses. HFCC and MASSPIRG Students are seeking additional funding in the FY24 state budget – $4 million – toward the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative. The bill’s legislative sponsors – Democrats State Representative Andy Vargas of Haverhill, State Representative Mindy Domb of Amherst and Senator Joan Lovely of Salem – as well as cosponsor Senator Sal DiDomenico of Everett, joined to share sentiments and support of the pressing issue: “Hunger can have a profoundly negative impact on students, including loss of Everett Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Celebrating 65 Years in Business! Owned & Operated by the Conti Family since 1958 “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roof ng • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! concentration and heightened depression and anxiety,” said Senator Lovely. “For college students who struggle to afford tuition, rent, and the high cost of living, the eff ects of food insecurity can be especially detrimental. That is why I am proud to partner with Representatives Vargas and Domb, MASSPIRG, and the MA Hunger Free Campus Coalition to fi le legislation to establish a Hunger-Free Campus Initiative. By creating on-campus programs that improve access to food, like those found at Salem State University and North Shore Community College, we can help our students lead healthy, productive lives both inside and outside of the classroom. I will continue to champion this important work on Beacon Hill to end hunger across our colleges and universities.” “We know that hunger exists on college campuses, but too often college students are overlooked,” said Representative Vargas. “College students manage busy schedules and often work full-time jobs on top of managing their schoolwork. No student should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from or compromise their education to eat. While many campuses have created incredible programs to support their students, we need a systems-wide approach to maximize federal funding and scale best practices. The passage of our bill will give colleges infrastructure to address hunger on campus in a sustainable way, and I’m grateful to the HunLOBBY DAY | SEE PAGE 8 Spring is Here!
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