Food Access with Anama and the Market of Virginia Tech

My platform is focused on raising awareness for and addressing the food insecurity present on Virginia Tech’s campus because everyone deserves food access. I had the opportunity to participate in a study abroad program focused on food insecurity present in Appalachia and Senegal. I learned about what food insecurity is, its different causes, and the potential ways to combat it. I also learned that Virginia Tech itself has a fair amount of the student population that is food insecure, specifically, 29% of undergraduate and 35% of graduate students (Hall et al., 2019). With my platform, I hope to raise awareness of what food insecurity is, what resources are available for students that are food insecure, and what other students can do to increase food access in our community. I also want to work towards changing the mindset around getting food assistance because that is one of the main barriers that prevents people from getting the help they need.

I am partnering with The Market of Virginia Tech. The Market has a food assistance program that provides nutritional and customized meals on a weekly basis to students. These students may lack nutritional, regular meals because of short-term or long-term circumstances. The Market upholds privacy and confidentiality in its services. My platform and The Market connect on their shared mission to address food insecurity on Virginia Tech’s campus. The Market is one of the main resources that Virginia Tech has to offer for students struggling with food access and my platform can help give it the spotlight it deserves because it relies on volunteers and donations from the community around it. 

Gifts of any amount will go towards supporting The Market of Virginia Tech's efforts of addressing food insecurity amongst Hokies and will make a difference in the experience of the students involved.

Thank you in advance for your gift!