A new bill introduced in New Jersey would allow college students on meal plans to donate any unused funds at the end of the year to go toward local food banks.
Bill A2166 would require public higher education institutions in the state who offer meal plans to set up policies and procedures to allow students to voluntarily donate leftover meal plan funds to the New Jersey Emergency Meal Fund.
All donations to the New Jersey Emergency Meal Fund would then be distributed to the federation’s network of food banks in the state.
Food insecurity continues to be a growing problem in the country. A report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released in the fall revealed that the percentage of American households experiencing food insecurity has risen. The American College of Physicians (ACP) also declared food insecurity as a public health threat in 2022.
Schools across the country have tried to address student hunger on their own campuses by utilizing free food boxes, meal swipe donations and more.