New Food Pantry Location Provides Students with Continued Support
(Photo by Emily Painter '22)
As a truck arrives from the Food Bank of Central New York, student volunteers hustle to open boxes and stock a refrigerator with eggs and yogurt, and fill the shelves with cereal and canned goods.
For over 15 years, SUNY Potsdam’s Campus Food Pantry has been supporting students who are facing food insecurity. After recently being relocated to a more prominent location in the Barrington Student Union, the SUNY Potsdam Campus Food Pantry is poised to serve students to an even greater extent.
On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the College held a grand re-opening of the Food Pantry in its new location, room 119 of the Barrington Student Union. Faculty, staff, and students congregated for a ribbon-cutting ceremony with remarks by Officer-in-Charge Dr. Philip Neisser '79, and Sarah Lister, the assistant chair for the Department of Public Health & Human Performance and coordinator for the Campus Food Pantry.
“We look forward to continuing to offer high-quality food to members of our campus community in need—serving students in a nonjudgmental and supportive way so that hunger doesn't get in the way of their success,” said Lister.
Over 30% of SUNY Potsdam students will face food insecurity during the pursuit of their degree. Students who are experiencing food insecurity are welcome to stop by and take what they need. Non-perishable snacks like cereal, granola bars and chips are available, as are easy-to-prepare meal items like boxed macaroni and cheese, rice, beans, soups, peanut butter and bread. A refrigerator contains items like cheese, eggs and yogurt.
Lister works with student interns and volunteers, including those majoring in her department’s programs, and those looking to support the pantry through philanthropic work with campus clubs and organizations. “I have had students tell me that there have been times that they have needed to use the food pantry, and times that they have been able to donate themselves,” Lister said. “That experience of having been on both sides of the equation is very important and really helps develop a sense of empathy for high-needs individuals in the communities that these students will be working with one day.”
Kristy Coyle '22
Kristy Coyle ’22, a senior at SUNY Potsdam majoring in community health, is completing an internship this semester within the Department of Public Health & Human Performance. While working closely with Lister, she has been instrumental in launching the new and improved food pantry. “I really wanted to share that with other students, to get more people involved, and to help students struggling with food insecurity,” she said.
SUNY Potsdam employees and affiliated organizations have continued to step up to support the Campus Food Pantry over the past decade and a half. Faculty and staff members regularly drop off donations or make gifts to support the campus resource. The Potsdam College Foundation has an account designated especially for the Campus Food Pantry, allowing Lister to purchase needed goods when items run low or when in-demand items are on sale.
In January, a food drive was held in honor of Dr. John Graham, who was a proud supporter of the Campus Food Pantry. “We were so fortunate to have Dr. Graham's leadership at SUNY Potsdam. In him, we had a leader who understood the problem of food insecurity on campus,” said Lister.
The SUNY Potsdam Campus Food Pantry is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. There is a whiteboard available for students to request items that they might need. Donations of food items can be made by dropping groceries off during business hours.
To make a tax-exempt donation, you can write a check to the Potsdam College Foundation (write “Campus Food Pantry” in the attention line). You can also make a donation to support the Campus Food Pantry online, by visiting https://www.potsdam.edu/giving, and clicking “Give Now.” Please write “Campus Food Pantry” under the designated program for this gift. Employees can also opt to provide recurring gifts through payroll deductions designated to support the pantry.
The SUNY Potsdam Department of Public Health and Human Performance offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in community health, as well as a Bachelor of Science major in exercise science. In addition, the department offers minors in wilderness education, therapeutic recreation, nutrition, sexual health, fitness and community health. To find out more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/PublicHealthHP
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.