For some college students, earning a degree comes with challenges that extend well beyond the classroom, including finding enough money for food, housing and other basic necessities.

Indiana University East will bring attention to those challenges with a screening of the documentary Learning Hungry on Wednesday, November 18, from noon to 2 p.m.

The event, supported by the Wayne County Foundation, Reid Health and Centerstone, will include lunch, community resource tables and a screening of the 30-minute documentary in Vivian Auditorium. 

Learning Hungry features Indiana families and explores food insecurity among college students, an issue that often goes unnoticed.

Deanna Cooper, student resource navigator and Title IX programming coordinator at IU East, said the challenges can be particularly difficult at a regional campus, where many students balance classes with jobs and family responsibilities.

"If you don't have breakfast or lunch or dinner, it's kind of hard to concentrate in school," Cooper said during an interview with Hometown Headlines.

Unlike traditional residential universities, IU East does not have a dining hall or student meal plan, leaving some students to navigate food insecurity alongside other financial pressures.

Challenging Perceptions About College Life

The Wayne County Foundation has focused on food insecurity in recent years as part of its efforts to address community needs.

Brian Schleeper, director of nonprofit engagement at the Wayne County Foundation, said the documentary challenges the idea that struggling to afford food is simply part of the college experience.

"I think people kind of joke, 'Well, you're in college. You're supposed to be poor. You're supposed to eat ramen,'" Schleeper said. "It doesn't have to be like that. It shouldn't be like that."

Cooper noted that students who relied on free or reduced-price meals during their K-12 education may continue facing those same challenges in college, often without the support systems available in earlier grades.

Resources Available to IU East Students

IU East offers several resources to help students meet their basic needs, including Wolfmart, an on-campus program providing free food, clothing, toiletries and household essentials.

Students can access Wolfmart using their student ID number. A free snack cart is also available in the Office of Student Affairs.

In October, IU East announced a $30,000 contribution from the Edelman Family Foundation to support efforts addressing student food insecurity and other needs.

The university has also developed connections with Gleaners Food Bank to help expand access to food resources.

Community members interested in supporting IU East students can contact Cooper at 765-973-8559 or visit her office in Room RW 202B to learn about donation opportunities.

Those wishing to contribute needed supplies can also visit Wolfmart's Amazon Wish List.

For more information about Wolfmart and student resources, visit IU East's Wolfmart webpage.