Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hunger Free Campus Act topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supporters urge Ohio House committee to back 'Hunger Free Campus' grants for college basic-needs programs
Summary
At a Workforce and Higher Education Committee hearing on House Bill 157, proponents from food banks, campus ministries and student groups described widespread, often "invisible" food insecurity among Ohio college students and urged a modest grant program to fund pantries, emergency aid and navigation of benefits; lawmakers sought more consistent data and clarification on funding and administration.
At a hearing of the Ohio House Workforce and Higher Education Committee, proponents urged lawmakers to pass House Bill 157, the "Hunger Free Campus Act," which would create grants to help colleges and universities establish on-campus food pantries, emergency assistance grants and student navigation to public benefits.
Sarah (last name redacted in the transcript), testifying for the Ohio Association of Food Banks, described a statewide network that works with pantries and campus partners in all 88 counties and said smaller colleges often lack infrastructure to store fresh food or staff to operate pantries. "If passed, the act would incentivize colleges and universities to establish basic needs programs like an on-site food pantry or an emergency assistance grant program, as well as connecting students to resources," she said. "I urge you all to support HB 157, and pass it out of committee."
Deacon Nick Bates, director of the Hunger Network in Ohio, said campus ministries and local campus cupboards are reporting growing need. He cited one campus example: "In 2022 to 2023, they reported serving 170 students through the cap cupboard to overcome the basic needs gap," and said the proposed grants would give campuses flexibility to tailor programs to local needs.
Sophie Gephardt, a graduate social work student and intern with the National Association of Social Workers, Ohio, presented survey findings and her own research. She told the committee that a student-life survey at The Ohio State University found "32 percent of all Ohio State students considered food insecure in 2024," and that her study of social work students found even higher rates and disparities by race.
Committee members welcomed the testimony but pressed for clearer, consistent data on prevalence and asked whether the program duplicates existing efforts. One committee member asked about the size of the proposed appropriation, saying, "The amount of the appropriation, dollars 625,000, in each year." In response, a proponent said, "I think 1,200,000.0 is a good start," and described using funds for staff training, pantry operations and students' navigation of existing benefits rather than only large capital purchases.
Lawmakers also questioned administration and reporting: some members suggested the state’s Department of Higher Education or existing food-bank networks might run or help administer components; witnesses said they had not been part of detailed reporting discussions but offered to provide reports and campus lists. Witnesses noted inconsistencies across existing surveys and said more consistent, statewide data collection would help target funds.
Supporters framed the bill as part of broader retention and workforce goals, arguing that addressing basic needs can improve GPA, retention and graduation rates. No vote on HB 157 was recorded in the transcript; the committee adjourned after testimony and questions.
