Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Minutes
The Academic Senate Committee on Committee on Food Insecurity of the Academic Senate met on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 12:10 p.m. in Medical Arts 342
Committee Members in Attendance:
Dr. Peter Bales (Chair), Dr. Dorith Brodbar, Dr. Jun Shin, Dr. Susan Jacobowitz, Dr. Chukwudi Ikwueze and Liz Di Giorgio (Recording Secretary)
Business:
The meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m.
The meeting was called to order, and the minutes of May 9, 2018 were approved.
Dr. Peter Bales announced that the food pantry will soon be able to accept donations through the Queensborough Fund. This significant change means that future donations to the pantry will be made by checks written to the Queensborough Fund/Food Pantry. Reimbursements for the purchase of food will come from the Queensborough Fund/Food Pantry donations. Going forward, donations will be tax-deductible, and the Food Pantry will be covered under the umbrella of the College’s insurance.
The FEC will donate through the Fund and HEOs will be able to contribute as well.
A preliminary schedule was made, with plans to open it up to non-Committee members who wish to volunteer:
Monday: Liz Di Giorgio, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday:
Wednesday: Dr. Susan Jacobowitz, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Dr. Amy Traver 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, Dr. Brodbar, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and Dr. Peter Bales, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, Dr. Jun Shin, 9:00 - 10 a.m., Dr. Ikwueze, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Discussion included questions as to whether the Single Stop Office will be able to have a key? It was noted that we will need a cart. Dr. Susan Jacobowitz will inquire as to whether we can borrow carts from Building & Grounds when needed.
Dr. Susan Jacobowitz was approved as Treasurer. She and Dr. Bales will meet with Rosemary Zins to discuss the details of operating through the Queensborough Fund.
Additional discussion included:
- The need to offer evening access to the pantry for students who attend QCC in the evening.
- The need to renew our COSTCO membership.
- Should we reconsider the current 10-item limit per visit policy? Should we take into account the number of family members a student may be trying to feed?
Anticipated cutbacks in food stamps may increase usage of the Food Pantry.
- Our new operating status will mean that we’ll be able to access food through large-scale food pantries operated by governmental and nonprofit entities.
- Our new operational status means that we will have access to the Office of Grants/Sponsored Programs.
Dr. Ikwueze has worked with the Office of Grants/Sponsored Programs, and will investigate opportunities to apply for grant funding. He was approved to serve as Food Pantry Grants Liaison for our Committee.
Discussion included the possibility of researching retention connected to student pantry usage. Drawbacks include the fact that a long-term study would be needed. It was noted that research establishing the connection between food pantries and improved retention already exists.
Topics for future discussion include:
- Revisiting the 10-item limit at our next meeting.
- Making sure that pantry volunteers check expiration dates when on duty.
- Investigating use of the kitchen space at the Student Union. Having access to the kitchen would allow us to have sandwich or other food events.
- Investigating the possibility of a campus garden for growing food.
- Update regarding planned discussion of operating details with Rosemary Zins.
The Meeting adjourned at 12:45.
Vice-President Newcomb and Dr. Amy Traver were inadvertently left off the email list and did not attend because they did not receive notification of the meeting. Dr. Traver continues to be an active member of the Food Insecurity Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
Liz Di Giorgio
Committee on Committee on Food Insecurity of the Academic Senate, Secretary
