Missouri State University in Springfield is launching Bears Share, a pilot program designed to help fight food insecurity among students and reduce food waste on campus.
The university says the program will provide students with timely access to leftover food from campus meetings and events, creating an immediate benefit to students facing barriers, while also promoting sustainability.
"Eating is something many of us take for granted, but it can be a daily struggle for some students," says Ellen Currie, Missouri State's coordinator of student care and support.
According to a 2020 U.S. Department of Education study, 23% of undergraduate and 12% of graduate students in the United States experience food insecurity each year. The effects extend beyond hunger, contributing to heightened stress, poorer mental health, disrupted sleep and other negative effects.
Here's how Bears Share works: When a campus event ends, organizers may submit a form that will automatically notify enrolled students.
The notification will inform students in the program of the location of the food, the type of food available and the event’s end time. Students will then have 20 minutes to collect a serving, using either their own containers or ones provided by the office of the president.
