Machi no Gakushoku

In the summer of 2020, universities were still largely closed and part-time jobs had dried up. Reports of students struggling with isolation and mental health began to surface — and the need for both food and human connection was clear.

The idea was straightforward: gather donations from local businesses and use them to fund free meals at restaurants near campus. Students could walk in, eat, and feel a little less alone. The project provided around 4,000 meals in total — not just food, but small moments of warmth during an isolating time.