Food Bank Creation and Institutionalization at the University of Mississippi

• In Event: Institutional Transitions Through an Organizational Lens

Abstract

Food banks are used to combat food insecurity on college campuses and increase student success. Through an intrinsic case study at the University of Mississippi (UM), this study uses institutionalization theory to explore the creation and institutionalization of the UM Food Bank. We conducted ten semi-structured interviews with student leaders and administrators, as well as document analysis of social media posts, news articles, and internal documents. Findings confirm the role of internal and external collaborative partnerships, the benefits of faculty advisors serving as liaisons between student food bank leaders and higher-level administrators, and the challenges of institutionalization within the higher education context, including lack of awareness of the resource, leaders’ time constraints, and stigma surrounding food insecurity.

Authors

• Christine Dickason, Vanderbilt University

• Cara DeLoach, Vanderbilt University