Basic Needs Insecurity on the UNH Campus

Dear UNH Community,

We hope you had a rejuvenating Spring Break and are feeling prepared as we approach the end of the semester. While this time of year can be exciting, we recognize that many students face unexpected challenges that make it difficult to focus on their education—particularly when struggling with food insecurity, housing instability, and financial hardship.

At UNH, we are committed to supporting students in meeting their basic needs so they can thrive academically and personally. Our Basic Needs Support program provides vital resources, including assistance with food, housing, financial wellness, technology access, clothing, and health services. We encourage you to explore these resources on our websiteand follow us on Instagram at @unhbasicneeds to stay connected.

The Reality of Basic Needs Insecurity at UNH and Beyond

  • 45% of UNH students experience low or very low food security ().
  • 69% percent of UNH students reported experiencing financial difficulties or challenges while enrolled. Among those students who said they had experienced those challenges, 41% said they had difficulty concentrating on their schoolwork because of their financial situation. ()
  • 76% percent of students reported working for pay at Â鶹app. 40% of these respondents work more than 40 hours a week. (Trellis Survey, 2024)
  • 59% of college students across 91 institutions reported experiencing at least one form of basic needs insecurity ().
  • 31% of adults and 39% of children in New Hampshire live in households struggling with food insecurity ().
As one UNH student shared:

"Balancing work and school were incredibly challenging. To afford a place to live, I had to work. To succeed in school, I had to focus on my studies. But I couldn’t do both."
 
Last year, Basic Needs programs provided critical support to 513 students, distributing:
&²Ô²ú²õ±è;✅ 2,645 meal swipes through Swipe it Forward
&²Ô²ú²õ±è;✅ 14,777 pounds of food through Cats’ Cupboard
&²Ô²ú²õ±è;✅ Emergency financial assistance through the Student Emergency Fund and Inn-Between Funds
 
How You Can Help
 
With rising demand, our resources are being stretched. In both the fall and spring semesters, we had to pause our emergency fund program early due to limited funding. But you can make a difference.

📢 This week is the 603 Challenge, UNH’s annual fundraiser. If we reach 100 donors for the Basic Needs program, a generous supporter will donate $50,000 to the Student Emergency Financial Assistance program!

We invite you to join us in supporting students by:
&²Ô²ú²õ±è;🔹 Donating goods (food, toiletries, e-waste, or meal swipes)
&²Ô²ú²õ±è;🔹 Volunteering to help distribute resources
&²Ô²ú²õ±è;🔹 Making a financial contribution to sustain these programs
🔗 Donate now and be part of the solution!

Lastly, remember that Cats’ Cupboard is open to all members of the UNH community, including students, faculty, and staff. If you or someone you know needs support, we are here to help.

Thank you for being part of a compassionate, supportive UNH community.

With gratitude

Kenneth Holmes
Vice President of Student Life

Michael Blackman
Dean of Students

Patty Mathison
Basic Needs Coordinator and Case Manager