MILWAUKEE, Wis. — There's an old joke that college students can live on ramen noodles. Today, some say the joke is no longer funny.

"I think it's a lot more serious than even 10 years ago people were giving weight too," said Renee Scampini.

More than a third of college students, according to a recent report from Wisconsin's Hope Lab, are considered food insecure. 

It means they struggle to afford basic meals.

"You should't need to decide whether or not you pay for books or pay for food," Scampini said.

Scampini is a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.​

Around a year ago she and a group of students decided to make food easier to get.

They created a food pantry inside the university's student union building.

Students can come twice a week to pick up anything they need.

It's confidential so students don't have to feel insecure.

But the small pantry is looking a little empty because demand is up.

The pantry started in January. In the first semester around 160 students used it.

This semester around 500 students have come.

It's not surprising. A recent report at the university found around 50 percent of students at UWM are food insecure.

"We have a higher percentage of students who have pel grants, low-income students, non traditional students," said UWM Student Association Professional Staff Assistant Director Quincy Kissack.

It's why Scampini wants to expand the pantry and add perishable items.

Because as college tuitions around the country remain high students are left to make do.

"It might seem a little odd. I Definitely have had to counter questions, do you really need this on campus? The answer is yes," said Scampini.

Giving students one less thing to worry about as they try to balance school with basic needs.

The food pantry at UWM is always accepting donations. 

Information on how to donate can be found on the university's website.