By BREANNA HOY
Tiger Media Network
Food insecurity can affect anyone, including college students balancing classes, work, and other expenses. In Hays, many campus and community organizations are working to make food more accessible to those who need it. From campus food pantries to free community meals, these resources provide support without making people feel as though they have to explain or justify their circumstances.
For First Call for Help, providing food to those in need has been a priority for nearly three decades. Established in 1996, the organization was created when local churches recognized the need for one central location where community members could access assistance.
Macey Pfeifer, executive director for First Call for Help, explained that the organization serves residents throughout Ellis County through its food pantry, which households can access once every 30 days.
The process is designed to be simple and accessible. According to Pfeifer, the organization only requires identification and a completed intake form, with no proof of income necessary.
“If you say you need the help, we will help you if you are living within Ellis County,” Pfeifer said.
Although the organization does not currently see many college students using its services, it remains an option for eligible students who need additional food assistance. First Call for Help primarily connects with residents through churches and other community referral agencies.
Food insecurity is not limited to a single campus or community, and some initiatives address hunger on a larger scale. Swipe Out Hunger, an annual event hosted by Tigers in Service in partnership with Tebo Library and the Outreach Program, is one example.
Elizabeth Sutherland, a coordinator for FHSU Student Engagement, said the annual service event brings volunteers together to package approximately 32,000 nutritious meals for people experiencing food insecurity in Tanzania, Africa.
Although Swipe Out Hunger is not a regular food distribution program for university students, the event contributes to broader conversations about hunger and community service. Any leftover meals may also be donated to campus food pantries, depending on availability.
Students typically learn about the event through campus emails, TigerLink, social media, and other university announcements. These channels help recruit volunteers while raising awareness about food insecurity both locally and globally.
Sutherland emphasized that the initiative is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to nutritious food. Through partnerships with campus organizations and community programs, Swipe Out Hunger provides students with opportunities to participate in efforts that support people experiencing food insecurity.
Students looking for food assistance also have access to the Tiger Food Pantry, located in the Chestnut Room on the first floor of the Memorial Union.
The pantry provides students, faculty, and staff with access to healthy food in a supportive environment. Its supplies include canned and packaged foods, a limited selection of meats, fresh produce from Victor E. Garden, and basic toiletries and cleaning supplies.
The pantry also offers Fresh Food Friday every Friday during the fall and spring semesters, making fresh items such as fruits, vegetables, and cheese sticks available to the campus community.
By offering more than just shelf-stable food, the Tiger Food Pantry helps address diverse needs while making food assistance an integral part of the campus support system.
Feeding Hays: Interviewee Benjamin Houchen
Outside the university, Feeding Hays provides free meals and food assistance to community members, including college students who remain in Hays during the school year, summer, and academic breaks.
Rev. Ben Houchen, the director of Feeding Hays, described the organization’s Thursday spaghetti dinner as one of its primary services. The drive-through meal takes place at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and is open to anyone in the community.
“Several students use this during the school year, and even during the summer and over breaks,” Houchen said.
Feeding Hays also operates a food pantry that helps supplement other local resources, including First Call for Help, community blessing boxes, and, at times, the Tiger Food Pantry.
In addition, the organization partners with the student group Us 4 U to host Feeding Tigers, a free meal program specifically for students. Feeding Tigers takes place on the third Tuesday of each month at First Presbyterian Church. The event offers a different meal each time, creating an opportunity for students to enjoy a meal and connect with others.
Houchen said the idea for Feeding Hays began when members of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church discussed the needs they saw in the community. Food quickly emerged as a priority, particularly because Hays lacked a service offering free, ready-to-eat meals.
Accessibility remains central to the organization’s mission. Houchen explained that people do not need to prove their income, citizenship, or personal circumstances to receive food.
“Just ask, and we will provide what we can,” Houchen said.
The drive-through format also allows people to pick up meals without standing in line or eating with unfamiliar people. By opening its services to the entire community, Feeding Hays aims to make receiving assistance feel more comfortable and less stigmatizing.