MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – People walked on Northern Michigan University’s campus to spread food insecurity awareness on Saturday.
NMU’s Marquette Ending Hunger organization hosted its first “Walk to Fight Hunger” event.
“So we really like to try and raise awareness about that, cause it’s very important, especially for college students, because we’re paying so much money to be in school, and sometimes food is an extra expense we can’t afford,” said Sydney Butler, the club co-president.
Butler says she also experienced food insecurity as an NMU student. She says students don’t have enough nutrition, even with the dining halls, and it’s difficult for some students to find transit.
“Definitely, when we were living in the dorms, it was really hard,” Butler said. “I’m gluten-free and lactose intolerant, and finding things that I was able to eat that had nutrition was really hard. It was a very frustrating situation.”
The group walked with signs around campus. Room at the Inn Executive Director Chelsie Wilkinson was also present. She says food insecurity hits rural communities in the U.P. harder.
“It’s really hard for kiddos to focus at school,” Wilkinson said. “It’s so hard for people working a 12-hour shift if they don’t know where their next meal is coming from or haven’t eaten in several hours.”
Wilkinson says food insecurity affects anyone, from homebound seniors to college students, and it takes a community to solve it.
“As a broader community, that we’re also wrapping our arms around these young people who are really trying to find their way in the world and trying to figure out what it means to be a good community member,” Wilkinson said.
She says it’s hard to be a productive member of the community when your stomach is grumbling.
NMU students can receive food from the college’s food pantry.
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