The holiday season is often associated with abundant tables and shared meals. Yet, for nearly 3.8 million students across the United States, it is also a time of heightened food insecurity. International students, students experiencing homelessness, or those unable to travel home face more hunger with campus closures, reduced dining hall hours, and financial strain from missed work-study hours during the holidays. This leaves many isolated without the resources they need.
This month’s blog will explore how campuses nationwide respond to their students' changing food security needs during the holidays. Through the lens of five of our Campus Compact VISTA Members' tireless efforts to combat hunger, we learn about innovative solutions and new projects to increase food security during a vulnerable time.
Zora Hancock, VISTA Member at James Madison University
“Our food pantry realized they’d acquired an excess of frozen meals after collecting surplus items from the local food bank. The team developed a plan to ensure students could benefit from these extra items by keeping cardboard boxes in stock and allowing students to fill these boxes with meals to take home. The pantry will remain open until campus closes on December 20th, providing students with convenient and nourishing meals for as long as possible during the holiday break.”
Tamara Garrett, VISTA Member at the University of Mary Washington
“During the holidays at the University of Mary Washington, we prioritize reaching out to students who need housing during the break. This includes homeless students, international students, and those conducting research. Many students rely on our resource center for supplemental meals throughout the school year. We organize large drives with community partners, promote awareness on social media to help students stock their dorms before the university closes, and collaborate with the dining hall to provide pre-packaged meals made from surplus food. Just this past Thanksgiving, we received a large donation from the UNICEF club at James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg!
As needs change, our advisory board meets to brainstorm new ideas for addressing food insecurity on campus. This includes tackling the overall lack of food and the demand for healthier options. Recently, we have been working to combat a shortage of fresh produce. One of our board members has established a connection with a representative from Virginia Community Food Connection, which helps us get in touch with local farmers who can regularly donate fresh produce to our organization.”
Abbi Pflum, VISTA Member at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay
“After reviewing the data on the usage of our on-campus food pantry, the Campus Cupboard, from the beginning of the semester until now, we have observed a consistent increase in its usage that isn't solely attributed to the holidays. To provide some context, in Fall 2023, we served 423 unique individuals through the Cupboard. As of October 2024, that number has already reached 472 individuals. This rising demand poses challenges in our ability to maintain a sufficient stock of quality food, hygiene, and cleaning products.
To address this increase in demand, we have sought new ways to restock the Cupboard. For November, I organized a food drive among various campus departments, framing it as a penny wars competition. In this competition, canned goods were worth positive points, while other non-perishable food items and hygiene products were assigned negative points. The participating departments became very competitive, and as a result, we collected a total of 1,702 items for the Campus Cupboard. This influx of donations will help us better meet the needs of our students.”
Sofia D'Errico, VISTA Member at Roosevelt University
“As the seasons shift from the warmth of summer to the colder months and the hustle of exam season, food security needs on campus change dramatically. The winter holidays—Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other celebrations—often center around food. The added financial pressures of expenses such as flights to visit home, holiday gifts, and daily necessities add to students' stress. These challenges are heightened during the lead-up to finals when stress levels rise alongside a need for essential resources such as food and hygiene products.
Our campus food & hygiene pantry and CompMyMeal program have experienced significant increases in usage during this time. In late October through December, requests for free meal tickets through CompMyMeal—our program allowing students with meal plans to donate unused swipes—increased drastically. What began as a few requests per week early in the semester escalated to multiple requests daily.
Demand rose similarly within the pantry. In November, just before Thanksgiving, we recorded our busiest day, serving nearly 50 students in one day. Many of these visitors were out-of-state or international students unable to travel home for the holidays while the campus dining hall was closed. This shows the importance of these programs in addressing heightened food insecurity during the holiday season.
In response to the seasonal spike in food insecurity, our university campus has implemented various ideas and activities to support students in stressful pre-holiday times. For instance, the week before Thanksgiving, our campus food pantry placed an extra-large order with our partnering food bank, including festive holiday staples like cranberry sauce and gravy. We promoted the pantry heavily to ensure students stocked up on essentials before the break, helping them celebrate the holiday without the added financial strain.
As we close the final 2024 semester, we remain committed to meeting the evolving needs of our campus community.”
Catherine Arias-Barrios, VISTA Member at the University of Nebraska, Omaha
“At the Maverick Food Pantry, food security is our ‘why’; the holiday season highlights just how vital this mission is. As the semester nears its end, we see a noticeable increase in demand for essential items. Many students face heightened financial stress as they prepare to travel, manage holiday expenses, or make it through winter break when campus resources may be less accessible. To meet these needs, the MFP hosted its fourth annual Hunger Doesn’t Take Breaks program.
This program provides a diverse range of products—from menstrual supplies and diapers to perishable and nonperishable food items. One heartwarming success story is our partnership with Whispering Roots, which provided 150 warm Thanksgiving meals to students on campus this year. Additionally, we stocked nonperishables to help students create full holiday meals, ensuring access to items that are not typically available. These efforts made a tangible difference for students who might otherwise go without during a season meant for celebration.
Our campus also adapts to changing needs through creative and collaborative projects. For instance, when we identify supply shortages—like a dip in menstrual product availability—we organize packing parties to restock and re-engage our volunteers. Through community-driven projects, innovative programming, and unwavering dedication, our campus continues to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our students. Together, we’re creating lasting solutions and making a meaningful difference.”
Food insecurity is a challenge that requires compassion and thoughtfulness. Reflecting on the incredible efforts of our Campus Compact VISTA Members, we see how seemingly small adjustments have a profound impact on the greater campus community. As our VISTAs continue to address food insecurity with intentionality, our host sites can ensure that every student has access to the resources they need not only during the holidays, but year-round.
To learn more about the AmeriCorps VISTA program and Campus Compact, visit: https://compact.org/current-programs/americorps/vista
To read more about the impactful work VISTA members are doing around the country, visit: compact.org/news/vista