Did you know that more than 4 million college students are food insecure in the United States or that more than 1.5 million college students are experiencing homelessness?
In recognition of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which takes place from Nov. 13 to 17, there will be a series of events hosted throughout the Case Western Reserve University campus. Participating offices and departments include the:
- Dean of Students office,
- University Health and Counseling Services,
- Office of Multicultural Affairs,
- University Housing,
- Office of Graduate Student Life,
- Student Centers,
- Church of the Covenant,
- Center for Civic Engagement and Learning, and the
- Office of Student Activities and Leadership.
To see a full list of events, visit CampusGroups.
About Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
Housing insecurity and homelessness can affect individuals in many ways. Housing insecurity includes an inability to pay rent, rent increases that are not affordable, leaving a household due to safety, or moving three or more times a year. Homelessness can look like temporarily living with a relative or friend, couch surfing, temporarily living at a hotel without a permanent home to return to, living in areas or spaces not meant for human habitation, or living in a camper.
Food insecurity is the state of being without reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food. Food insecurity can be worrying whether food will run out before you get money to buy more, not being able to afford to eat balanced meals, cutting meals or skipping meals or being hungry but not eating because there isn’t enough money for food, and/or losing weight because of similar reasons.
To ensure every student has what they need, the Dean of Students Office has developed comprehensive basic needs resource lists covering a variety of needs including:
- child care and parenting,
- clothing and laundry,
- financial stability,
- furniture and household items,
- hygiene and cleaning,
- legal assistance,
- Medicaid and other federal insurance,
- nutritious food,
- pets and emotional support animals,
- pregnancy and parenting,
- secure housing, SNAP, tax preparation and filing assistance,
- transportation, and utilities.
If you have questions, would like support in navigating these resources, or are interested in supporting the basic needs efforts on campus (through volunteering, monetary or food contributions, or awareness support) please contact the Dean of Students Office at 216.368.1527 or at deanofstudents@case.edu.