Minnesota Now with Cathy Wurzer

Food cupboards at MN community colleges address hunger and declining enrollment

Cathy Wurzer, Melissa Townsend and Lindsay Guentzel
A student in a portrait.
Aditya Sharma, a 27-year-old nursing student from India, started using the North Hennepin Community College food cupboard in May 2021. Since then, he’s spread the word throughout his nursing classes. He estimates he’s led 10 to 12 others to getting groceries at the food cupboard, too.
Jaida Grey Eagle | Sahan Journal 2021

Share

Every public two-year college in Minnesota now has a food pantry where students can get free groceries. Hunger is a real problem for low-income students, and in combination with a dearth of affordable housing, it’s contributing to a dramatic decrease in enrollment at community colleges.

Becky Dernbach reports on this issue for Sahan Journal. She joined host Cathy Wurzer with more.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Providing Support for MPR.
Learn More
Program ScheduleStation Directory