Bipartisan Ohio bill seeks to fight food insecurity on college campuses

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A bipartisan bill with a $2.5 million price tag aims to help college students fight food insecurity. 

“We don't want hunger to stand in the way of our workforce being prepared to take the jobs that are going to be available and that we're working hard to bring it to Ohio,” Rep. Dave Dobos (R-Columbus) said.

House Bill 590, or the Hunger-Free Campus Act, is sponsored by Dobos and Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma). Dobos said some studies show that as many as 48% of college students face some sort of food insecurity throughout their time in higher education.

“It makes it more difficult to focus in class, makes it more difficult to study and particularly away from class,” Dobos said.

The new bill aims to mitigate that by allowing both state and private non-profit institutions to receive grants, from that $2.5 million allocation, for demonstrating a commitment to basic needs of addressing food insecurity. The legislation would require the state’s chancellor of higher education to establish the Hunger-free Campus Grant Program.

To receive the hunger-free campus designation and as be eligible for a grant, a college will have to meet criteria from one of two categories:

Condition 1 (must satisfy one)

• Provide free meals for students with demonstrated food insecurity or establish campus emergency funds
• Establish an on-campus food pantry or charitable distribution

Condition 2 (must satisfy three)

• Share information on food assistance and basic needs security programs
• Designate an on-campus employee as contact for information on food assistance and basic needs security programs
• Notify individual students of potential eligibility to receive benefits under SNAP
• Conduct campus-wide survey assessing student food security at least once every two years
• Sponsor at least one event per semester to spread awareness

“What we're not trying to do is start a new program,” Dobos said. “What we're trying to do is to help students find access to already existing programs. So already existing food pantries, or again, if it's a campus cafeteria that's already there and they're already serving food, so we're not trying to create any new wheels. We're just trying to help students find access to wheels already built.”

While the bill was received well during its first hearing, some committee members wanted assurance that the grant distribution would be equitable.

“This is geared towards everyone who has the need,” Dobos said. “Now, obviously, there's some campuses that have higher numbers of students and higher percentages of students who have financial challenges. And so, in that regard, it will probably help those schools most.”

NBC4 reached out to colleges across the state about this bill: 

• The Ohio State University said it does not have a position on the legislation but said, “We are proud of the programs we have that support students in need, and we will continue to work with the General Assembly and other partners on new and innovative ways to best support students throughout their time at Ohio State.”

OSU’s programs include a food pantry on campus and emergency financial assistance to students who might otherwise be at risk of dropping out of college due to an unexpected, unplanned financial emergency, including food insecurity.

• In a statement, Miami University said, “Miami University strives to meet the needs of all students, including those with food insecurity. In reviewing the proposed bill, it appears that we currently offer what is suggested. However, we would welcome the proposed bill as it would provide a grant to help supplement these efforts.”

The university said it has been surveying students about food insecurity since 2018 as part of its annual Miami Health Survey. It also has programs, including a food pantry and a meal plan assistance program, where students can donate unused meal-plan swipes to students in need.  

• Cleveland State University did not respond with a statement about the bill but did point out its “Lift Up Vikes!” food pantry as one resource to help its students.

NBC4 also reached out to Wright State University and Youngstown State University but did not hear back.

The bill just had its first hearing before the legislature went on summer break. It likely will not have a second hearing for a few months.

“Ultimately, what we're trying to do is to help schools realize that this may be an issue and focus some attention for students who would benefit from this,” Dobos said.