Graduation from college or a certificate program can be the ticket to a brighter future. But a growing number of students have difficulty accessing the nutritious foods they need to successfully complete their courses.
Helping students thrive
No student in our area should have to choose between putting food on the table and achieving their full potential in the classroom. When students know where their next meal is coming from, they’re able to focus on completing their coursework. This not only helps improve educational outcomes; it also supports students’ long-term financial stability and upward economic mobility by helping them gain skills and knowledge that can allow them to move from lower-wage jobs to higher-income professions.
Our Food + Education Programs
The food bank is partnering with five colleges – Northern Virginia Community College, Montgomery College, Prince George’s Community College, George Mason University, and the University of the District of Columbia – to support students experiencing food insecurity as they work towards obtaining degrees or certificates. Through these pilot programs, students receive grocery store gift cards, which they can use to purchase nutritious food at stores that are convenient for them. This support continues through graduation, ensuring that they have the resources needed to achieve their career goals. Connecting vulnerable students with nutritious groceries allows them to better focus on their studies and well-being. That increases the return on the students’ investment in their education, both for themselves, for their families, and for our regional economy.
It takes more than food
The Capital Area Food Bank is launching multiple Food+ programs to help address some of hunger’s root causes. If your organization offers services to students in need or would like to help make these programs possible, please contact Amirah Dales at adales@capitalareafoodbank.org.