As the government shutdown enters its second month and food benefits grind to a halt for more than 40 million Americans, members of the Fordham community have organized food pantries on both campuses. The pantries—at the Lowenstein Building on the Lincoln Center campus and the McShane Center at Rose Hill—offer free grocery items to anyone in the University community in need of food assistance during this time.
Organized by Campus Ministry and the Center for Community Engaged Learning, the pantries have already seen considerable demand, according to Erin Hoffman, director of Campus Ministry for Lincoln Center. As of Wednesday afternoon, there have been more than 90 visits to the pantries, just two days after they opened.
This time of year usually brings increased food insecurity, even when food assistance payments through SNAP are arriving as planned, according to Hoffman. At Fordham, more students rely on donated meal swipes during the second half of the semester, as some reach the end of their financial aid budgets. Citywide, food pantries see more demand in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Now, more New Yorkers who had been relying on SNAP are turning to those same food pantries, putting stress on the entire system.
“It adds a whole extra layer of people who are looking for resources,” said Hoffman.
Fordham Answers the Call
More than 200 students, faculty, and staff have signed up to volunteer at the pantries, stocking shelves, welcoming visitors, and taking note of needed items. Many others have donated food through the Amazon wishlists (one for Lincoln Center and one for Rose Hill) or at donation bins on both campuses.
Hoffman said she hopes anyone in need—student, faculty, or staff—will feel comfortable visiting the pantries.
“We want it to be inviting and accessible,” Hoffman said. “Maybe you need something today, and if you want to drop something off in the future, that’s great.”
Abby Wilson, a grad student who works part-time with Lincoln Center’s Campus Ministry, said she’s been amazed by the response so far.
“It was Wednesday when we found out [about the pause in SNAP benefits]. By Friday, we had already stocked shelves, and we were ready to open Monday morning,” Wilson said. “It’s beautiful how we can come together as a community so fast. Everyone’s ready to jump in.”
The pantries will be running indefinitely, Hoffman said, depending on stock. The initial funding came from Campus Ministry and the President’s Office. Ultimately, they’ll be sustained by donations, she said.
How to Get Involved
Anyone can purchase items for the pantry through the Amazon wishlists:
Those who want to donate can also leave non-perishable food items at drop boxes on the ground floor of the McShane Center at Rose Hill or in the lobby of Lowenstein at Lincoln Center.
Fordham students can also donate guest meal swipes, and anyone can make a contribution to Fordham’s Student Emergency Fund.
Members of the Fordham community who would like to volunteer at a food pantry can sign up here:
Accessing Fordham’s Food Pantries
If you’re a member of the Fordham community in need of food assistance, you can visit the pantries from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday:
- Rose Hill: McShane Center, Room 215
- Lincoln Center: 140 West 62nd Street, Room 140A
