The Hunter College community has rallied to support our students facing food insecurity, contributing $70,000 to the Purple Apron Food Pantry in the first two weeks of a fundraising appeal.
More than 100 individuals donated during the first 24 hours of the campaign, which started on October 31. In total, almost 300 had stepped up to help by November 13.
The outpouring of support comes at a critical time. The need for food assistance on campus was growing even before the abrupt, if temporary, cessation of food aid caused by the federal government shutdown.
During the last academic year, the Purple Apron Food Pantry served almost 8,000 students — more than double the number of the year before. This year, the number is on pace to double again.
Inflation, high food costs, and reductions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other federal funding have created a crisis for many in our community.
The response from Hunter faculty and staff members has been heartening, accounting for 136 donations, or almost half of gifts. Alumni also have stepped up, with 89 graduates donating.
“Hunter provides an excellent education for students, but they cannot learn if they are hungry or do not know where their next meal will come from,” said an alumna who is also a faculty member. “We need to support our students in every way possible to achieve their goals and dreams."
This sense of responsibility is shared across the campus. Martina Dimitrova, a junior English major, said that in the past few weeks she had become more aware of the precarious livelihoods of fellow students.
“I never realized how many students didn’t have their basic needs met,” she said. “As much as I can give, I will give to help them.”
The goal is to raise $200,000 to sustain and expand pantry operations throughout the academic year.
Every dollar counts.
Donations pay for fresh food bags available to students each week and ensure the pantry remains stocked with nutritious, balanced options — including kosher and halal meats — through the upcoming holidays and beyond.
Money donations make the greatest impact. The pantry’s ability to purchase food wholesale allows every dollar to stretch further than it would in a traditional food drive, providing more meals, more variety, and more dignity for the students who depend on the support.
To make a gift to the Purple Apron Food Pantry, please visit hunter.cuny.edu/food-support.
You can also support the food pantry and other areas of campus affected by shifts in federal funding, through Hunter College’s Giving Tuesday campaign.
To learn more, visit https://hunter.cuny.edu/givingtuesday.
