College can be exhilarating - new friends, newfound freedom, and the first real taste of independence. But it can also be profoundly lonely. Between the hustle of classes, the pressure to perform, and the distance from home, many students quietly struggle with isolation.
That’s where the “Free Moms” of NC State University step in.
What started as a small act of kindness - a group of local women offering home-cooked meals, hugs, and “mom energy” to students far from home - has grown into a movement of connection. Every Thursday, volunteers known affectionately as “Free Moms” set up tables on campus stocked with snacks, cookies, and care. But what they’re really serving isn’t food, it’s comfort. Students stop by for a muffin, and end up staying for a chat. They share stories about homesickness, stress, or how hard it can be to make new friends.
The concept isn’t complicated - and maybe that’s why it works so well. It’s a reminder that the real feeling of belonging comes from face-to-face moments of warmth and presence. The Free Moms know students just need to feel seen.
Nearly two-thirds of all college students identified as lonely, with 28% feeling isolated from others, 23% feeling left out and 21% lacking companionship - and efforts like this show that small, intentional gestures can make a real difference.
We hope to see more college campuses following in NC State’s footsteps, because sometimes we could all use a “free mom.”