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We
like
to
think
that
a
college
is
a
place
of
equal
opportunity,
but
BW
neuroscience
and
psychology
senior
Erin
Neff
'21
is
helping
the
campus
understand
that
some
students
need
assistance
meeting
basic
needs.
A Wisconsin HOPE Lab 2018 study of 43,000 college students at 66 schools in the U.S. found 36% of students are not getting enough food to eat.
At BW, a 2017 applied sociological research project revealed 28% of students were at risk, and 55% of students have experienced some form of food insecurity.
Neff
is
part
of
a
movement
called
Swipe
Out
Hunger,
a
national
nonprofit
committed
to
ending
college
student
food
insecurity.
After
advocating
to
bring
the
program
to
BW,
the
Brain
Center
for
Community
Engagement
and
Dining
Services
are
rolling
out
the
Swipe
Out
Hunger
program
at
BW
this
fall.
Dining Services is allowing students to donate their guest swipes to the program this year. Students in need of a meal can complete a request form and meet with BW's Americorps representative in the Brain Center to discuss what additional resources may be available to support them during their time at BW to ensure their success as a student.
Bringing the campus together is one of Neff's goals with this program. She believes that the donor will receive a sense of empowerment supporting another student, and the receiver knows that the community supports them.
Neff believes this is one of the most rewarding programs that she has participated in at BW. She said, "I learned how to take an interest, ask the questions my mind was eager to understand and find out how I can use that knowledge to help others."
Through advocating for this program, Neff says she has engaged in investigating, collaborating, advocating for change and staying the course in seeking institutional reform. She believes that these skills will help her as she moves on from BW and takes her persistence and dedication to pediatric neurology.
