Last spring, my son, Anton, told me he went to the food pantry at California State University Monterey Bay, where he’s a senior. He said that one of his friends was joking about going to the pantry just to see what was there. What Anton didn’t realize was that his friend was “joking” to cover up that he didn’t have money to buy food.
The rising cost of higher education, including tuition, fees and housing, makes food a luxury for some college students. Non-traditional students (such as veterans and those with children), first-generation enrollees, low-income students, and those who are undocumented or minorities sometimes struggle to pay for school and their basic needs. Former foster children and people who experienced childhood hunger are also at risk for food insecurity.
