Last week at the United Nations, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP2024) was commemorated on October 17th. The theme for this year was "Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment", focusing on how people living in poverty experience systemic discrimination, stigma, and exclusion, which deepens their struggles. Roxbury Community College’s (RCC’s) Project Access team was invited by the International Movement ATD Fourth World to be guests to help highlight the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty and how negative social attitudes and institutional practices contribute to their pervasiveness.
Leaders at RCC have learned that addressing food insecurity among students involves a combination of practical interventions, awareness programs, and partnerships to ensure that students have access to nutritious food.
In 2023, we established the Rox Box, an on-campus food pantry that currently serves approximately 400 students a month providing shelf-stable food items, feminine hygiene products, and, whenever possible, diapers and formula. RCC partners with local non-profits and grocery stores for donations to stock the shelves and maintain the resource. The Rox Box also offers workshops to help students learn about budget-friendly, nutritious meal planning.
During the Commemoration of the International Day, held at the UN Headquarters in New York, RCC’s Project Access team participated in global discussions on how institutions can better support those living in poverty. The Commemoration provided a platform for people affected by poverty to share their experiences and participate in shaping solutions that promote dignity, agency, and systemic change. Nancy Santos, Assistant Director of Project Access, was a guest speaker.
“At Project Access, we understand that education is not solely about academics,” said Assistant Director Santos. “Many of our students face significant nonacademic challenges that might otherwise hinder their educational pursuits. The non-academic support we provide with housing insecurity, food insecurity, health insurance access, childcare solutions, legal service referrals, transportation issues, and much more, is crucial in helping them navigate their educational journeys.”
While in New York, the Project Access team also had an opportunity to sit in on meetings conducted by ATD Fourth World with H.E. Mr. Nicolas De Rivière, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations, as well as H. E. Dr. Suleiman Haji Suleiman, Ambassador and Deputy PR to the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations to discuss the Rox Box.
By taking a holistic and collaborative approach, other colleges can help reduce food insecurity and ensure that students can focus on their education without the added burden of worrying about where their next meal will come from. Involving RCC students in naming and managing the food pantry was important to RCC. We strive to encourage peer-to-peer support and help de-stigmatize food insecurity globally.
