The grant will help dozens of EvCC students.
Everett Community College is one of four colleges in Washington recently selected to participate in a new pilot project that aims to help hungry college students stay in college and graduate.
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges chose EvCC, Columbia Basin College, Grays Harbor College and Walla Walla Community College to each receive up to $240,000 per year for three years to provide free and low-cost meal plans or food vouchers to eligible low-income students.
At EvCC, the funding will provide prepared meals and food vouchers for at least 71 students each month, through a partnership with HopeWorks Social Enterprises.
“We see the need every day,” said Laurie Franklin, Vice President of Student Services. “Last academic year, our student-led food pantry served 1,189 students and employees, which was a 300 percent increase over the previous year. When students don’t have to worry about how to pay for their next meal, they have a better chance of being successful in college.”
According to a 2023 report by the Washington Student Achievement Council, nearly two out of every five — or 39% — of community or technical college students who responded to a survey had experienced food insecurity in the prior month. To measure food insecurity, students were asked whether they ran out of food, lacked balanced meals, cut meal sizes or skipped meals, or went hungry due to costs.
EvCC is partnering with Kindred Kitchen to provide meals to students who qualify. Kindred Kitchen is one of four social enterprises operated by HopeWorks Social Enterprises, an affiliate of Housing Hope.
“In Kindred Kitchen we work with, train, and feed community members who are most in need of support and a warm meal, many of whom are experiencing housing, employment, and food insecurities,” said Karin Resing, Director of Kindred Kitchen. “We are excited about the increased impact that this grant will have for EvCC students and our community as a whole.”
September 1, 2023
Everett