Program will target those in need of meals
Popular free lunch program will take a new direction soon
Nick Ngo
Issue date: 9/29/06 Section: News
ASOSU's Student Committee on Hunger and Poverty is working on finalizing their plans to replace the Escape Hunger program with a food subsidy program where they focus more on students in need.
Escape Hunger started in Spring 2005, and it offered students free lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The new food subsidy program is offering students a voucher where they can receive meals from University Housing and Dining Services.
It will allow them to have free meals everyday instead of only three days per week. The vouchers will be given to students who apply and meet the requirements.
"Students who use the Escape Hunger program will probably be upset that we're looking to get rid of it, and replace it with this new subsidy program," said Audra Saunders, president of the ASOSU student committee on hunger and poverty.
"What I would like them to understand is that there are students who are hungry during more than those three days a week," she said. "This new program we're working toward is to serve students everyday."
The Student Incidental Fees Committee, with the support of the 2005-2006 ASOSU president and vice president, approved the program a year and a half ago.
According to ASOSU Director of Social Resources Andrew Desilet, specific requirements to apply for the meal voucher have been undetermined so far.
"It will be an effort between ASOSU, UHDS and the Food Collaboration Group - the three groups will get together and figure out what the requirements are," Desilet said. "We're hoping it will be something similar to our current health care subsidy."
So far, the requirement would be along the lines of students having to provide evidence of need.
They need to provide the program with information on how much money they make and whether they're independent or if they have other people they're providing for. The information shared will be confidential. Students will be able to apply at any point in the term.
Escape Hunger started in Spring 2005, and it offered students free lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The new food subsidy program is offering students a voucher where they can receive meals from University Housing and Dining Services.
It will allow them to have free meals everyday instead of only three days per week. The vouchers will be given to students who apply and meet the requirements.
"Students who use the Escape Hunger program will probably be upset that we're looking to get rid of it, and replace it with this new subsidy program," said Audra Saunders, president of the ASOSU student committee on hunger and poverty.
"What I would like them to understand is that there are students who are hungry during more than those three days a week," she said. "This new program we're working toward is to serve students everyday."
The Student Incidental Fees Committee, with the support of the 2005-2006 ASOSU president and vice president, approved the program a year and a half ago.
According to ASOSU Director of Social Resources Andrew Desilet, specific requirements to apply for the meal voucher have been undetermined so far.
"It will be an effort between ASOSU, UHDS and the Food Collaboration Group - the three groups will get together and figure out what the requirements are," Desilet said. "We're hoping it will be something similar to our current health care subsidy."
So far, the requirement would be along the lines of students having to provide evidence of need.
They need to provide the program with information on how much money they make and whether they're independent or if they have other people they're providing for. The information shared will be confidential. Students will be able to apply at any point in the term.
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