“The only way to solve the problem of hunger is by working in a collaborative capacity,” Everett said. “Which is ironic, that at a time of political division like we’re in right now, our only plausible pathway forward to end hunger is to work together.”

Alongside continuing to supply students with fresh food and basic products, The Store will add to its selection of special diet foods, implement an online shopping system and begin a marketing campaign to encourage students to donate to The Store through donated money, food items or meal swipes.

Students lined up at Fountain Mall on Wednesday for the bi-annual Free Farmers Market. The event offered a wide variety of fresh produce and non-perishables — completely free to students, faculty and staff.

“This is an opportunity for us to give students a care package to celebrate the Easter season and also have some meals for those suffering food insecurity who may need it over the season,” Fernandez said.

As people age, it becomes harder and harder for them to take care of and provide for themselves. Fortunately, many organizations are working to provide community support and care for elderly citizens. One of these organizations is the food delivery group known as Meals on Wheels.

While food banks and delivery services look to solve the symptoms of food insecurity, Meraz said that poor nutrition is often linked to a lack of internal motivation. This, in turn, is caused by the increasing social isolation felt by many adults. According to the CDC, one in three report feeling lonely, and one in four say they lack social and emotional support.

“One less student having to experience any level of hunger or food insecurity is a step in the right direction,” he said.

SNAP, food stamps and EBT each run under a different name but the goal is ultimately the same –– to support lower-income families with their grocery shopping. As of 2023, around 42.1 million or 12.6% of the U.S. population rely on SNAP for grocery shopping.

For the 35th-annual Food for Families drive, the Scouting America Longhorn Council, H-E-B and KWTX News 10 are partnering with food pantries across Central Texas to hold a one-day food drive that collects and stocks the shelves of local food banks and pantries.

Sowing the seeds of progress, Baylor takes new steps in food insecurity and sustainability efforts with the help of an EPA grant.

The farmers market provides free produce and other goods to students. It started in 2017 to bring awareness on campus to students who live with food insecurities.

International students are an asset to the local and global community through their studies and contributions. However, they need to be welcomed into the community and shown care in order to thrive.

The idea first came from a partnership called the Big 12 Food Pantry Alliance, which seeks to fight food insecurity among the colleges in the Big 12 Conference. Texas Tech mostly accepted monetary donations, and Baylor’s food pantry received major support from students.

Rising tuition costs, a lack of transportation and the inability to find healthy food options are all factors that contribute to food insecurity among Baylor students. However, a variety of on-campus resources are available for students who need food assistance.

Baylor’s on-campus food pantry — also known as The Store — serves between 65 and 100 students a day and has recently relocated from the basement of Sid Richardson to the first floor of the building’s west wing.

Baylor Dining Services is offering five free meal swipes for any dining hall on campus to all students, except those with a seven-day meal plan. The form to sign up allows one submission per student and says the swipes will be added to students’ accounts in one to two business days due to the high volume of responses.

There’s no denying it: food insecurity is an issue for students on campus— 2,150 of them to be exact, according to The Store’s website. If such a sizeable number of students struggle with this issue, why is it that these students remain silent in their suffering?

Baylor’s Free Farmers Market will be taking place from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday on Fountain Mall. This year, event organizers have added giveaways, a photo booth and more to encourage students to come out, get free food and aim to destigmatize food insecurity.