The COVID-19 pandemic revealed many systematic failures across the country.  

While the pandemic helped release the veil surrounding issues once better concealed, individuals and programs came together in a concerted effort to help people in their time of need.  

One individual, Michael Buttram, Program Basic Needs Manager operating out of the SLiCE Office at Colorado State University, works to combat food insecurity with the expansion of RAMS Against Hunger.  

RAMS Against Hunger implements various approaches to food insecurity and individual hardship, with programs such as RAH Meal Swipe Program, RAH Food Pantry, Pocket Pantries, and the Ram Food Recovery Program.  

These programs serve to fulfill the mission of RAMS Against Hunger: to ensure greater food security for students, staff, and faculty at CSU with programming that affirms dignity and strengthens our Ram Community.   

Following 2020, Buttram knew that more had to be done.. 

“The pandemic shone a light on the hardships that students were facing,” said Buttram. “In the end, COVID allowed us to mobilize the support of our many partners and supporters across campus. It inspired people’s compassion.” 

RAMS Against Hunger, following an expansion that included funding and relocation to the General Services Building on campus in January 2022, works to incorporate a “number of different resources because we know that there are a number of different needs,” said Buttram.

Buttram continued to say that “There isn’t one face of food insecurity. With this in mind, RAMS Against Hunger offers a variety of programs that intend to meet an individual’s specific needs.”  

One of the main issues facing food insecurity is the stigmatism that surrounds utilizing support services.  While Buttram acknowledged this issue, he was candid in his defense that food insecurity should not be something that is discussed with a deficit mindset. Rather, he encouraged that we discuss these services as a community minded approach to distributing our ample resources more intelligently and equitably.   

RAMS Against Hunger is just another example of the power that a community minded approach  and some dedication can have on a population.  

Referencing those affected by food insecurity, Buttram said “This is not an individual’s fault. This is a systematic failure.” 

Although hardship and policy implementations may leave some with food insecurity, RAMS Against Hunger and Buttram work to ensure that these effects are diminished as much as possible.  

Buttram said that “The food that is provided is part of the student’s fees. I have never heard someone say ‘I don’t want to use the gym on campus. Someone needs it more than me.’ But I still hear folks say that about this program.” 

That scarcity mindset is something that needs to be eliminated. RAMS Against Hunger is more than prepared to help any student, staff or faculty member that may be facing food insecurity.  

If you or someone you know would benefit from RAH services, we encourage you to   

visit https://lsc.colostate.edu/slice/community-engagement/rams-against-hunger/ 

The new location of RAMS Against Hunger is on the first floor of the General Service Building on campus. 1251 S. Mason St.