Yesterday I ran across a colleague’s Facebook update that included this link to an NPR article entitled, ‘College Students Hide Hunger, Homelessness.’  I encourage you to take a moment to read Diego’s story… because I imagine that we will find that we have an increasing number of Diego’s on our campuses, and we need to discern how we can best assist with this growing issue on our campuses today.

I’m still trying to get my head around the reality of this… but it was actually another Facebook status that I ran across last night — one from one of my own students — that has compelled me to write this post, as well as to vow to do something on our campus to help those in need.

Her update was as open and vulnerable as they come. She is completely stressed out — and classes don’t even start for another 4 weeks!  She is feeling the impact of how the struggling economy is effecting her family.  She contemplates her return to campus, not knowing where she will live, how she will pay for food, or where the funding for her tuition (and books) will come from.

My heart is heavy for her today.  So I pray.

And what makes it worse… I’m certain she is not the only one on our campus who is in this position.

I’m convinced that we need to do something… I’m just not sure what, yet.

What are your thoughts?

• How are you seeing the impact of the economy on your students?
• How might you counsel a student who comes to you in this kind of crisis?
• Do you have anything in place in your ministry to offer assistance to the growing population of students who struggle to find the most basic of needs?

Thanks for sharing any wisdom and insight on this!