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UIC | Culture

Understand Food Insecurity and How You Can Help

Maha Majjiga Student Contributor, University of Illinois - Chicago
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UIC chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

If you are from Chicago, then this is probably something you’ve heard about a lot lately. Suppose you are a student studying in Chicago. In that case, you have likely received emails from your school discussing and offering possible solutions to this issue. This issue is food insecurity. It is characterized by the lack of reliable access to enough nutritious food, which is harmful to all humans and even more impacted on minority communities and migrant refugee communities, both communities that have a high concentration of residents in the Chicagoland area. This food insecurity is not accidental but rooted in systemic inequalities.

For racial and ethnic minorities, food insecurity has ties to factors of ongoing discrimination. Higher poverty rates because of discrimination in employment and wages lead to “food apartheid” and health issues due to insufficient nutrition. Migrant refugees leave their home countries to escape violence/persecution and so arrive in their new homes in different countries with trauma and no financial safety net. Additionally, restrictions are put in place when they migrate to limit their ability to work or access public assistance programs, such as SNAP. Language barriers and cultural differences, as well as the unavailability of food that holds sentimental meaning, further limit their ability to secure meals for their families.

It is our responsibility to help individuals who are less fortunate than we are, especially when it involves meeting their basic needs, such as food. Here’s how you can help in this primarily humanitarian effort:

Support Frontline Organizations

Volunteering help
Photo by Joel Muniz from Unsplash
  • Consider donating money or volunteering at local food pantries, mutual aid networks, and refugee resettlement agencies, as they have the expertise to serve the community directly.
  • An essential organization that I admire in Chicago is Global Gardens. Global Gardens in Chicago is an organization that works to create food security and economic opportunity for refugees in their new homes. Donations would essentially help them achieve their mission and assist many migrant refugees in the Chicagoland area.
  • Another organization I love and personally dedicate time volunteering with is the Pilsen Food Pantry.  They also provide direct support in addressing food security and enhancing health outcomes in Chicago’s Pilsen community.

Advocate for Policy Change

  • Contact your elected officials in support of policies that increase food assistance, raise the minimum wage, and address racial inequality in employment, housing, and healthcare.

Shop & Donate Mindfully in Ways That Foster Inclusion

person planting a green plant
Photo by Rommel Diaz from Pixabay
  • Choose to contribute to food drives that ask for culturally relevant items, such as lentils, rice, and halal meats. 
  • When donating or purchasing items, prioritize nutrient-dense foods over processed foods. 
  • Support refugee-owned businesses and community gardens that empower families and preserve cultural foodways.

Food insecurity is a problem that can be solved. If we address its root causes and support all those affected, we can create a future where every individual can thrive.

Thanks for Reading, 

Maha Majjiga

mmajj2@uic.edu

Her Campus at UIC, President & Editorial Team

Maha Majjiga

UIC '26

Maha Majjiga is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. Driven by a commitment to social impact, she is motivated to raise awareness of underdiscussed societal issues, foster diversity and inclusion, and explore holistic approaches to physical and mental health—particularly through lenses like nutrition, psychological resilience, and community wellness. Their academic background fuels a passion for understanding how cultural, biological, and social factors shape humanity.

Beyond the academic environment, Maha actively engages in community service. She dedicates significant time to volunteering at local food pantries. Her commitment to public health is seen through volunteer roles at running events like the Chicago Marathon and the Hot Chocolate Run, and through health initiatives such as recruiting donors for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and assisting at community blood drives. Being the eldest of her siblings makes her hold a strong sense of responsibility and drives her proactive commitment to supporting others.

Outside of academics and service, Maha embraces creativity and exploration. She is an avid reader, drawn to historical fiction, fantasy novels, and young adult fiction. In the kitchen, she is a passionate baker, usually baking homemade breads, bagels, and brownies. Her artistic side is expressed through various crafts, including painting, faux stained glass, and sewing projects. Maha also values relaxation and connection, often unwinding by binge-watching compelling TV series or hosting movie nights with friends. An enthusiast of food and travel, some of her favorite destinations include Puerto Rico and Paris, and she is always eager to discover new restaurants, cafes, and cuisines.