Middle East Technical University (METU) implements direct, needs-based institutional interventions to combat student hunger and eliminate financial barriers to adequate nutrition. METU combines direct university meal scholarships with community-funded suspended meal platforms and targeted examination-period food distribution.

1. Direct Institutional Intervention: Needs-Based Meal Scholarships

Administered through the METU Student Scholarship and Support System, free daily lunches and/or dinners are provided to eligible students via university dining halls.

• 2025 Impact & Activity Metrics: As documented in the METU 2025 Student Affairs Directorate Activity Report:

○        2,739 total scholarship applications received.

○        1,689 applicants verified through preliminary eligibility assessments.

○        247 students are newly granted meal scholarships in 2025.

○        1,397 total students actively received direct meal assistance during the reporting period.

https://oidb.metu.edu.tr/sites/oidb.metu.edu.tr/files/2025_yili_faaliyet_raporu.pdf

2. Community & Alumni Interventions (ODİ & Vişnelik Partnership)

In collaboration with the METU Alumni Association (ODTÜ Mezunları Derneği):

• Student-Friendly Business (ODİ) Suspended-Meal Platform: Incorporates the Alumni Association’s Vişnelik Facilities into the ODİ suspended-meal (askıda yemek) framework.
• Zero-Commission Beneficiary System: Donors purchase discounted menus placed on the suspended system, enabling students to reserve and receive meals free of charge without administrative fee deductions.

https://odtumd.org.tr/odtu-ogrencilerine-askida-yemek-uygulamasi-2/

3. Targeted Exam-Period Food Interventions

• Library Night Assistance (Since 2018): Through the alumni-sponsored "Final Exam Period Sandwiches from Me to METU Students" campaign, free sandwiches, food packages, and hot drinks are served to students studying overnight at the METU Main Library during intensive exam periods.

https://adimodtu.org.tr/projeler/final-donemi-odtu-lunun-sandvici-ve-kahvesi-benden