During this holiday season, Northwestern College’s Bridgeview Campus (7725 S. Harlem Avenue) held a food drive to assist their own students in need. The College’s “Share the Warmth” campaign was first initiated in 2016 to reach out to students facing financial challenges. This year’s food drive began in early November and concluded on December 15. Throughout the drive, students in need contacted Student Services and were able to pick up non-perishable food items for themselves and their families. A table stocked with non-perishable food items was also set up near the student lounge, with bags available for students in need so they could help themselves.
“Thank you to all who donated non-perishable food items for NC’s second annual food drive – Share the Warmth with NC students,” said Maysoon Vargas, Northwestern College’s Director of Student Services at its Bridgeview Campus. “Students have been picking up these food items and are very grateful.”
Northwestern College annually conducts food and toy drives during the holiday season, as well as during times of higher volume need in the Chicagoland area. But upon the realization that the College had a growing need for food amongst its own student base, the food drive in 2016 was redeveloped to benefit needy Northwestern College students. The concept was very well received by its students in need as well as by its students who were eager to lend a helping hand to their fellow classmates.
Northwestern College is not the only higher education institution to find they had students who did not know where their next meal was coming from. Recent studies on student hunger revealed that a problem existed on college campuses. The College and University Food Bank Alliance (CUFBA) operates a large network of food pantries on campuses across the country, and in October 2016 released their report, Hunger on Campus – The Challenge of Food Insecurity for College Students. According to this report, CUFBA’s surveys revealed that nearly 50% of college students reported being “food insecure.”
According to the Oxford Dictionary, “food insecurity” is “the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. The problem isn’t akin to one college, one area or one state, but is more widespread. A simple Google search confirms this, with more and more studies and research being conducted on the issue of hunger on college campuses. Closer to home, in March 2018, the University of Illinois is reported to be hosting a conference focusing on the problem of hunger in college students.
“Yes, there’s a need for food all over the Chicagoland area,” commented Northwestern College President Lawrence Schumacher. “But if we can make an impact on our own college campuses, we have to try. The canned goods, and boxed cereals and pastas donated here will go a long way in feeding our students and their families. This is just one more way that Northwestern College assists its students with college completion, in turn enabling them to move forward in their lives with more financially rewarding careers and jobs.”
About Northwestern College:
Northwestern College (NC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456, www.hlcommission.org. The college offers focused career-oriented associate degree and certificate programs with flexible schedules and a supportive faculty. Day, evening, weekend, online classes and online programs are available. More information can be found at www.NC.edu or by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.
Media Contact: Laura Pollastrini
847-233-7700, Ext. 2116
lmpollastrini@nc.edu