Support From SUNY and Partners Provide More Options and Expanded Hours
The FSC Food Pantry, an on-campus resource for free, healthy food selections, has opened for the fall 2023 semester, expanding services with weekly availability and a brand-new refrigerator to hold fresh food. It is a judgment-free place for community members in need of assistance and is available to all students, faculty, and staff with a valid FSC ID card.
Opening in spring 2022, the FSC food pantry served approximately 210 unique users in its first year, many of whom were repeat visitors. Based on both the success of the program and established need, FSC secured an additional $50K in funding from the State University of New York (SUNY), to purchase food and staff the Food Pantry with a full-time employee in the future. In addition, SUNY Military and Veterans Affairs provided the funding for a new refrigerator, enabling the Food Pantry to offer a broader range of food offerings and fresh items such as milk, eggs, butter, fruit and vegetables. Fresh vegetables such as zucchini and tomatoes from the FSC Giving Garden are also available (until harvest season ends).
The Food Pantry is managed by Dr. Carly Tribull, assistant professor in the department of biology, together with the FSC Food Pantry Task force, and a crew of 25 faculty, staff, and student volunteers. Volunteers work one-hour shifts every week, assisting visitors, unpacking food, and stocking shelves.
“As a biology professor, in my interactions with students I hear about their struggles and the financial stressors in their lives,” said Tribull. “Our goal is to help relieve some of that stress where we can, enabling them to focus on their studies and helping to set them on a good path. We want this to resonate throughout the entire campus community.”
The FSC Food Pantry initially operated in a limited capacity to establish the need and demonstrate viability for the program. During its first semester in operation, users submitted an online form to order items, and members of the volunteer Food Pantry task force shopped per order and packed bags, which users then picked up. In spring 2022, FSC partnered with Auxiliary Service Corporation to provide funding, and Island Harvest joined in fall 2023 donating food and supplies. The Food Pantry relocated to a new, larger space in Greenley Library which enabled users to visit the pantry and select items in a more traditional “shopping” model. In addition to funding and partnerships, organizations on campus have donated funds, food, and toiletries including FSC’s Nursing and Dental Hygiene departments and several Greek societies.
“We are so grateful for our partners and for the generosity of SUNY and their support of this important initiative,” said Greg O’Connor, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “The commitment of Dr. Tribull and all the faculty, staff, and students who volunteer their time to the Food Pantry represents just one of the many ways in which our campus community comes together to support each other in times of need.”
In addition to Dr. Tribull, members of the FSC Food Pantry task force include Karen Gelles, Susan Vogell, Dylan Gafarian, Hyejin Cho, Kathryn Machin, and Edward Plough.
The FSC Food Pantry is located in Greenley Library, Room 114, near the main floor elevator entrance. Look for the door with the green apple sign. Hours for the fall 2023 semester are:
Tuesday
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Food Pantry visitors complete a brief intake form, but all personal information is confidential. When visiting the Food Pantry, please bring re-usable shopping bags.
For more information, visit the Food Pantry web page, follow the Food Pantry’s Instagram page at @FSCfoodpantry and stop by during open hours in Greenley Library Room 114.
Food Insecurity and Hunger:
Food insecurity is a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. It is important to note that although hunger and food insecurity are closely related, they are two distinct concepts. Hunger refers to a personal, physical sensation of discomfort, while food insecurity refers to a lack of available financial resources for food at the household level.
Additional resources for members of the FSC community that require more long-term assistance include:
FSC Health and Wellness Department
The INN in Hempstead External link
St. Killian's Food Pantry External link (for local Farmingdale residents)
