Rise in college food banks linked to economy, demographics

For years, the food bank at Michigan State University was one of the few, if not the only, such organizations in the country. By 2008, only four other groups offered college students free meals.

But as the economy continued to sink, Michigan State began to get a lot of company. There are now 199 similar groups throughout the country, according to the College and University Food Bank Alliance, including food pantries at UC Berkeley and UCLA. The California State University system is conducting a study to determine the number of students on its campuses who do not have regular sources of food and housing. And one student is attempting to convince vendors and restaurants at Santa Monica College to accept food stamps.

The economy undoubtedly played the largest role in the increase of college food banks, with several related factors probably contributing, including a greater number of older students returning to campus without much family support and a higher number of foreign students who have limited access to federal assistance.

"The landscape has changed everywhere, from community colleges to liberal arts schools to big state schools," said Nate Smith-Tyge, director of the MSU Food Bank. "It's everywhere."

Yvonne Montoya, the Santa Monica College student, is an example of the shifting age demographics.

The 48-year-old went to college in the late 1990s but dropped out to raise her children. She decided to return after her event-planning business failed in 2011. She lost her housing around the same time and lived out of her car while she was enrolled at Cerritos College.

Montoya studied business and real estate because she thought it was her best chance of getting back on her feet financially. She received food stamps as part of her federal benefits but could not use them at the school's food court. So she often went to a nearby CVS drugstore and bought chips and soda.

"A pre-made salad was a good day," she said.

Montoya eventually got her degree from Cerritos and found a place to live, thanks in part to her financial aid. But she still depended on federal assistance to eat.

Montoya said she often would smell food from the student lounge, which was near the food court. "I'd always see all of this food I wished I could have but just couldn't," she said.