SECTION 1. Chapter 15A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 44 the following section:-

Section 45. Community College Campus Hunger Program

There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a fund to address food insecurity on community college campuses that shall be known as the Massachusetts Community College Campus Hunger Program. The fund shall be credited with: (i) revenue from appropriations or other monies authorized by the general court and specifically designated to the fund; (ii) interest earned on such revenues; and (iii) funds from public and private sources including, but not limited to, gifts, grants and donations to further the program.

The department of higher education shall distribute resources from the fund by issuing a request for proposal through which community colleges may apply. The department shall grant funds based on the demonstrated need and implementation plan of each applicant. Funds received by college campuses shall be used to address food insecurity among students via means including, but not limited to, meal cards, meal plans, meal vouchers, and other campus-designed projects to address community college student food insecurity.