Upgrades to food pantry create access to basic needs

SUNY Fredonia was awarded a SUNY Food Insecurity Support Grant, allowing the university to expand its small basic food pantry into a full basic needs center.  

The Fredonia Campus Food Pantry was created in the fall of 2016 as a pilot project and has grown to two locations serving hundreds of students each month. Although a successful program which has served the campus community well over the past seven years, the university notes it is not without challenges. Functioning strictly on donations, all monies are dedicated to the purchase of food.

In alignment with the campus’ strategic plan, the food pantry not only provides a basic necessity for survival, it promotes wellness and wellbeing of the campus community. With supplemental funding from a SUNY Food Insecurity Support Grant, the campus has been able to increase awareness of food insecurity on the SUNY Fredonia campus while allowing more accessibility to the distribution of nutritious food to students in need in a safe barrier free environment while aligning with Fredonia’s baccalaureate goals. Those goals encourage students to be responsible, skilled, creative and connected as well as the Five S’ (Staff, Students, Space, Stock and Support) of what SUNY pantries and basic needs centers need to succeed.

Food insecurity is common at colleges and universities across the country potentially impacting the educational success of many students.  

Grant funds allowed the following enhancements:

• SUNY Fredonia hired a graduate assistant to coordinate the transition of the food pantry to a basic needs center, implement the pantry soft software system, enhance advertising efforts/outreach programming, and coordinate student workers. Student assistants were hired to assist with inventory, stocking of food pantry bags, and outreach programming. The additional personnel allowed the food pantry to be available to students for Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., which is a significant increase in hours from the eight hours it previously was open each Friday. 
• Going forward, student assistants will allow the ability to expand the hours of the pantry to include access daily with some nights and weekend shifts. Utilizing students increases workforce opportunities for students here on campus, improves career-readiness skills, and allows for an increase in accessibility of jobs for underrepresented populations. It is a great opportunity for students to not only earn additional money, but become connected with the campus community. Student assistants also provide valuable insight on the best ways to market the service to their peers. 
• Additional funding would be built into a future budget to allow for resident assistants on duty for inter- and summer sessions to be given access to a stocked food pantry for the purpose of distribution to those in need. Frequently, those who stay on campus during these times are without a home to return to.  
• Students/Pantry Soft Software - SUNY Fredonia invested in and implemented the Pantry Soft Software Program from Cedar Mountain Software company. Thes program allowed for full integration of the inventory system for the campus food pantry/basic needs center. The program has also allowed an opportunity for students to pick out what food and basic needs items they would like online, and schedule a pick-up time and date that is convenient for them. 
• Space/Transition from a Food Pantry to a Basic Needs Center -  SUNY Fredonia has made toiletries, menstrual products and basic hygiene items available to students in addition to food while transitioning from a center that supports the basic needs of students. Through the grant process, the university was able to purchase and stock satellite boxes that were placed in 10 residence halls as well as the  townhouse complex, Reed Library and Freddy’s Locker in the Williams Center. It allowed Fredonia the opportunity to help both residential as well as off campus students. 
• Stock/Marketing - Posters, brochures, postcards and popup events have increased awareness, improved accessibility and enhanced engagement of not only the campus community, but the Fredonia community at large embracing SUNY Fredonia's distinctive identity as an institution where everyone experiences growth, belonging, and connectedness.

Director of Student Health Deborah Dibble noted, “Providing the necessary support systems to ensure student success, prioritizing and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging are equally as important as students strive to become life-long learners in a diverse and ever-changing world. Food insecurity is a major concern for everyone, and SUNY Fredonia is taking an active role in creating a campus culture of well-being to improve the overall quality of life for our students.”

“Food insecurity is a major concern for everyone, and SUNY Fredonia is taking an active role in creating a campus culture of well-being to improve the overall quality of life for our students.” - Deborah Dibble, director of Student Health

Support/Outreach Programming

According to the American College Health Association, health promotion enhances student success and is a vital aspect of the health and well-being of the campus community. SUNY Fredonia’s food pantry/basic needs center has engaged in several outreach programming experiences for not only students but for the campus community. 

• Health Matters Series - The Health Matters Series was offered weekly, providing information on pertinent health related topics aligning with the current Thrive program. Students could drop by, get a healthy snack, and pick up health promotion information. A total of 1,600 food items were distributed over the course of this academic year. 
• Destress For Success - The Student Health Center participated in the DeStress for Success Program during the week of December 4 to 8, 2023, by distributing healthy bites and stress relief kits at the Reed Library and in the vestibule of the LoGrasso Hall (Health Center). A total of 687 items were provided to students during the time period. 
• Spring Break Bags - 200 bags spring break bags were distributed in McEwen Hall in March, containing information about safety during spring break as well as items such as sunscreen, band aids, condoms, etc. 
• Eclipse Day - 250 food items (Moon Pies and Sunny D’s)  were distributed to faculty, staff and students at the Makers Faire while promoting safety while watching the eclipse.