On Oct. 2, the mission to end food insecurity at St. Bonaventure University began with the ribbon-cutting of our new food pantry! Food insecurity — defined as the lack of having access to enough food — affects the lives of nearly 25 to 30 percent of undergraduate students.

After nearly a year of hard work, our vision has come to life. Since opening, our 15 volunteers allow us to have the pantry open every weekday, but our goal now is to find enough volunteers so that we can expand hours of operation. Generous individuals have also stepped forward to donate both a fridge and freezer to allow us to distribute perishable and non-perishable items.

We also began partnering with other clubs and organizations in the Bonaventure community. Thanks to a collaboration with the Damietta Center and Br. Angel Vázquez, O.F.M., our on-campus barber and a new addition to our community of friars, on-campus haircuts will be given in exchange for $3.00 or one can or box of food donation to the food pantry during the month of November.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this newest outreach program possible. We are excited to see how it continues to grow!