Balancing the Plate and the Gpa: Exploring Food Pantry Usage and Academic Performance in College Students

A U-shaped relationship between food pantry usage and GPA among 4,270 undergraduates reveals that GPA declines with 1–5 visits but thrives with 6–10 visits. Quadratic regression suggests consistent usage reflects resourceful adaptation fostering academic success. Findings underscore implications for equity in higher education and integrating pantries into holistic support frameworks.