When Bowling Green State University (BGSU) junior Lauren Sharrock first walked into the Falcon Food Pantry, she wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I felt embarrassed at first,” Sharrock said. “But once I saw other students in the same position, I realized I wasn’t the only one. It was a real lifesaver to me.”
Sharrock is one of the hundreds of BGSU students turning to the Falcon Food Pantry each semester as food insecurity continues to rise among college students nationwide.
According to a 2024 survey from BGSU’s Office of Institutional Research, 35% of students reported experiencing food insecurity, meaning they didn’t have reliable access to affordable meals.
Food insecurity has become a growing issue on U.S. college campuses, where the cost of tuition continues to rise and groceries and housing have left many students struggling to afford meals.
With inflation and higher living costs have only worsened the issue. A study from the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice found that nearly 40% of college students nationwide face food insecurity each year.
At BGSU, students say they often must make the decision between paying the bills and buying groceries.
“Rent, tuition, gas and books all add up very fast,” said senior Kalista Sampson, who has used Falcon Food Pantry several times. “Sometimes food just ends up being the cut on the list for things, even when it shouldn’t be.”
To address the issue, BGSU launched the Falcon Food Pantry in 2021 through a collaboration between the Office of the Dean of Students and the Center for Public Impact.
The pantry offers free groceries, hygiene products and nonperishable goods to students, faculty and staff in need. Open several days a week, the pantry operates out of Central Hall and receives supplies through donations from local nonprofits and the Bowling Green Community.
The pantry’s model emphasizes accessibility and dignity. Students can come at any point when they are open on campus.
A recent campus report found that students who used the pantry retained enrollment at higher rate than those who did not, suggesting that addressing food insecurity can help improve academic success to students.
Sharrock said the pantry gave her more than just meals for the week, but a peace of mind knowing there is help to be offered when needed.
“When you’re not hungry, you can finally focus on school,” she said. “It’s made me feel supported as part of the BGSU community.”
The Falcon Food Pantry with its success has inspired similar efforts at the other universities in Ohio, including Kent State University and University of Toledo.
Staff and volunteers hope to expand hours, add refrigeration for fresh produce and build new partnerships with local farms.
“I have felt supported knowing in the future when I don’t have a meal pass that I can still have help with food needs,” said Autumn Goodwin a freshman living on campus. “No one should have to choose between studying and eating.”
As the semester progresses and stress levels rise, BGSU’s pantry continues to serve as both a practical resource and symbol of community care.
