Stony Brook University’s Seawolves Pantry continues its efforts to address food insecurity among students, staff, and faculty. Established in 2013, the pantry provides a supplemental source of food and basic necessities for those at risk of food insecurity on campus.
The pantry offers a range of items including nutritious foods, school supplies, hygiene products, health products, and cooking utensils. Ashley Liegi, assistant director for the Department of Student Community Development, explained the involvement of Empire State Service Corps students: “We serve as a host site for Empire State Service Corps students both at the Seawolves Pantry and Center for Civic Justice.”
Empire State Service Corps members focus on several areas such as food insecurity and SNAP basic needs, civic engagement, early childhood education, FAFSA completion support, K-12 education assistance, peer mental health initiatives, student success coaching, sustainability projects, and Veterans Affairs outreach. The group currently includes 29 students.
On November 6th, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul addressed concerns about food assistance: “No one should go hungry or have to endure additional stress because the food assistance they expect and deserve is being used as a bargaining chip. Our state is stepping up: the Empire State Service Corps provides SUNY students with civic engagement opportunities to serve their communities, and during the crisis I am proud that these students are ready to help our most vulnerable.”
Governor Hochul’s initiative encourages students to work with SUNY staff to assist regional food pantries or provide services at campus-based pantries. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. added: “The dedicated SUNY students who participate in the Empire State Service Corps program serve our state in a multitude of civic engagement opportunities, and they are ready to step up in this food insecurity crisis.”
Katie McCombs coordinates much of the work done by Empire State Service Corps students at Stony Brook. The main pantry is located in the Student Union with two satellite locations in the Student Activities Center and LGBTQ Center.
McCombs shared her motivation: “I got involved with the Pantry because I have always been passionate about ensuring that any student regardless of status has the means to succeed. I have always wanted to work in a position that had a palpable impact on people. While at times things may be stressful, it is truly rewarding to see the ways in which my efforts have impacted others.”
More than 20 volunteers help run daily operations while service corps members handle logistics behind the scenes such as processing donations and maintaining inventory. Liegi emphasized their importance: “Our Empire State Service Course students are integral to our ability to manage our three Seawolves Pantry locations on campus. They are responsible for processing donations from our generous on and off campus partners, maintaining a diverse inventory of goods, and coming up with strategies to make sure that we’re feeding as many students, staff, and faculty as we can who are experiencing basic needs insecurity on campus.”
Last year saw nearly 7,000 visits from about 900 individual users; some visited once while others returned multiple times. This year’s numbers are expected to meet or exceed last year’s figures.
The pantry also offers SNAP consultations for application assistance along with fresh food programs supported by partnerships like Stony Brook’s Auxiliary Services Association (ASA). Food waste reduction efforts include collecting fresh donations from East Side Dining Emporium Market through ASA collaboration.
Liegi noted: “We are incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership with ASA and SBU Eats, and our Empire State Service Corps students work closely with these partners to reduce food waste on campus by picking up fresh food donations that we are then able to provide to our pantry users.”
Service corps members undertake personal projects related to basic needs security. Trinity Zou ’26 serves as an undergraduate coordinator connecting food security initiatives with other aspects of student well-being—her current project explores links between oral health and access to nutritious foods.
Zou described her personal connection: “Growing up, my grandparents relied heavily on food pantries and community donations,” she said. “I grew up eating pantry staples and canned goods. These experiences taught me that even when food options are limited, meals can still bring comfort and joy. I wanted to bring that same sense of dignity and enjoyment to others facing food insecurity.” She added: “Every day I get to see how donations directly impact students’ lives… Being part of this community has shown me how small acts of care can make a big difference.”
Originally started in a residence hall before moving under Student Community Development management in 2020, Seawolves Pantry now offers paid positions through its partnership with Empire State Service Corps—a first this year—which allows more robust support for addressing basic needs insecurity.
Liegi commented: “In the past our operation predominantly functioned with the support of student volunteers… This is the first year that we’ve served as a host site for the Empire State Service Corps… It has been an incredible program for us… Often work involving food insecurity is unpaid so it’s really beneficial to be able to pay students.”
At Stony Brook Southampton’s FoodLab location farm produce is donated weekly via Heart of the Hamptons distribution events held Fridays from 10 am–12 pm; Long Island Cares also supports area residents.
