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No Student Should Go Hungry!
Maybe you had to pay for an expensive repair to your car...
or maybe you got sick and missed several shifts at work...
or maybe your rent just jumped up.
Whatever the reason, funds are low and you don't know what you are going to do for
food. Everyone needs help some time.
At USF, we understand that life happens. While financial difficulties may present challenges for students, access to food should never be one of them...ever!
Unfortunately, 2 in 5 USF students are food insecure and are worried about how they will afford their next meal, according to campus research. That's why each USF campus has a food pantry to provide groceries and hygiene products to any current student who needs it -- confidentially and regardless of their situation.
You don't have to skip meals, eat inadequate portions or poor quality foods. Use the
links below to access the resources USF (and our community) offers to alleviate student
hunger.
Food Pantries
The only eligibility requirement is being a currently enrolled USF student. Students may access the pantry once weekly and there is no limit on the number of visits per semester. Check out the pantry on your campus for easy and confidential access to food.
Stop by PWR 106, across from the Student Life Center. Access the pantry through the door facing the courtyard.
Order online and arrange delivery on campus, or access the pantry by visiting SMC
C144 through the Student Success Lounge in the main building.
Tampa campus
Order online or visit the pantry in SVC0002 in the Student Services Bldg. basement
(enter building next to Admissions and take hallway to elevator lobby; then take elevator/stairs
to basement).
other Campus support resources
Consider contacting these USF offices for guidance when you (or your friend) is exeriencing food insecurity – they can help.
- Student Ombuds Office
- Dean of Students
- Student Outreach & Support
- Single Stop (federal and state benefits screener and community resources)
Community Resources
- St. Petersburg Area:
- Sarasota-Manatee Area:
- Tampa Area:
defining food insecurity
What is 'food insecurity'?
Food insecurity is defined as “not having reliable access to food because of your financial situation.†It’s evaluated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture with questions like:
- Were you very hungry but didn’t eat because there wasn’t enough money for food?
- Did you ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn’t enough money for food?
- Have you ever worried whether your food would run out before you got money to buy more?
How common is food insecurity?
National research, including that conducted by the , indicates that 29% of four-year college students are food insecure (39% of two-year college students) – meaning virtually 1 in 3 students
nationally are food insecure.
Our own research into this issue reveals that these statistics hold true on USF's
campuses.
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