North Carolina Graduates Combat Student Hunger: Just in time for the holidays, two graduates from North Carolina A&T State University are taking a stand against hunger among college students and making a difference in three states.
Nearly 30% of four-year university students and 40% of two-year college students face food insecurity.
Makayla Williams and Alexis Wray founded MarketBoxx in 2019 to bridge the gap, and now, their mission extends beyond their own school, sending food boxes to college students in Alabama, North Carolina, and Texas.
Williams emphasized the hidden struggle of many students and said education should not come at the cost of a decent meal.
“We always hear the notion, ‘Oh, you’re just a broke college student,’ and it is a joke for a lot of people, but it is a very serious thing that a lot of people do overlook,” Williams pointed out. “Through MarketBoxx, we really try to not only buy food but buy food with intention.”
Through the years, Williams noted, they have been able to feed more than 1,000 college students. And MarketBoxx will continue its efforts Tuesday, Dec. 19, seeking donations at a food drop-off event at Third Street Academy School in Greenville.
Along with fighting food insecurity, Williams said MarketBoxx places special emphasis on supporting students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. According to a 2020 study from Temple University, close to half of the students at 14 HBCUs experienced hunger and housing instability.
“The HBCU campuses output so many amazing doctors, engineers, people of all kinds that go into society and do such major things,” Williams stressed. “I think it’s so crucial to make sure we are paying it forward and helping students that are, you know, in college now that are looking to just do the same thing.”
She added it is important to dismantle the stigma associated with seeking assistance. She explained MarketBoxx tries to help by being encouraging and letting students know about other resources available to them. The nonprofit also collaborates with some on-campus food pantries.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What is the hunger rate in North Carolina?
1,503,050 individuals in North Carolina are facing hunger, with 461,630 of them being kids. Shockingly, 1 in 5 children in North Carolina are grappling with hunger.
What are colleges doing to combat food insecurity?
Broaden and Dismantle Stigma Around Food Banks
For years, numerous higher education establishments have established on-campus food banks to assist college students facing food insecurity. Nevertheless, colleges can enhance these initiatives in multiple ways.
What is the food security in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, approximately 10.9% of the people, which is around 1.2 million individuals, are dealing with food insecurity. Out of this number, about 394,000 are kids, which means one out of every six children is struggling with hunger.
How do you address college food insecurity?
Initiate a fundraiser to support students facing food insecurity. Offer homemade meals to those in need. Seek out opportunities to assist at your nearby college campus. Collaborate with local places of worship to address the issue. Contribute to organizations dedicated to combating food insecurity. Get involved by volunteering at food pantries or local organizations. Help raise awareness about this important issue.