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Bill

SB 97

Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program; establishment of student meal plan credit donation program.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danica Roem

Virginia establishes campus hunger grant program enabling students to donate unused meal credits to food-insecure peers at state higher education institutions.

Referred to Committee on Education
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Bill Summary · SB 97

Legislative bill overview

SB 97 establishes a "Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program" in Virginia and creates a student meal plan credit donation system. The bill allows students to donate unused meal plan credits to a pool that supports food-insecure peers at participating higher education institutions.

Why is this important

Food insecurity among college students is documented as affecting 30-40% of some student populations, impacting academic performance and mental health. This bill addresses that need through a low-cost mechanism that leverages existing meal plan infrastructure and peer-to-peer support rather than solely relying on institutional budgets.

Potential points of contention

  • Program funding and sustainability: The bill establishes a grant program but may not specify adequate state funding levels, raising questions about whether institutions can maintain the program long-term
  • Privacy and stigma concerns: Systems identifying which students receive donated credits could inadvertently stigmatize recipients, potentially reducing participation among those who need support most
  • Administrative burden: Colleges must implement new tracking and distribution systems for meal credits, which could strain already-stretched financial aid offices without additional staffing resources
  • Equity across institutions: Wealthier institutions with larger meal plans may generate more donations, potentially creating disparities in food security support between schools

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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