Wednesday, October 6, 2021

The Academic Senate Committee on Committee on Food Insecurity of the Academic Senate met on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, 1:00 - 2 P.M, Zoom

Committee Members in Attendance:

Present:

Ashlie Klepper, Emily Tai, Nicole McClam, Amy Traver, Brian Mitra, Ronni Weprin, Dee Brodbar, Christopher Roblodowski, Angela Gmuca, Kathleen Alves, Jonathan Cornick, Qi Lin, Elizabeth DiGiorgio

 

Liaisons in Attendance:

Vice-President Brian Mitra, Administrative Liaison

Ms. Ronni Weprin, Administrative Liaison

Ms. Amawati Gonesh, Advocacy Resource Center

 

Business:

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM

 

• Minutes from last meeting were approved by committee

 

Special Shout Out

• Special welcome and thank you to Vice President Brian Mitra

• Special welcome to our student government President Navneet Sandhu

• Thank you to President Mangino, VP Mitra, VP Di Dio for all the support provided to the Food Pantry

 

Discussion

• A limited number (6) of keys have been provided to committee members. Eventually swipe card access will be available so that everyone can have access

• Happy to learn that the pantry will remain as a single space ,plans that the current space would be shared with the ID card office are no longer in effect

• Email forthcoming for volunteers to help with scheduled event for Thanksgiving Give Thanks, Give Back

• Discussion around the need to aquire bags for future drives, as the current bags are too narrow to fit many products

• Mitra announced that along with VP Didio they were working on ordering 1,000 totes for future use

• A log book is being maintained by all volunteers at the front desk indicating number of bags distributed each day, the intention is to transfer on to an excel spreadsheet in order to maintain accurate records for annual review and grant purposes

• Suggestion from Vickie Terrile to maintain pre-packaged bags in the Library, as a backup, in the event a student has an immediate need when pantry is closed. A cart may be utilized to transport bags to the Library

• Discussion around thoughts on having an additional place where food items may be accessed by students

• Volunteers have questions on where to display certain items, such as feminine hygiene products:

- Is there a reason why these products were taken down; when hidden causes more embarrassment when students have to request

-Discussion around how the food pantry is thought of:  a) as a place to get foods to prepare at home b) a place to grab foods to quickly eat on campus i.e. granola bars, applesauce, tuna fish; we are trying to have healthy food options,

-If microwave were available it could be used for oatmeal

-There have been many requests for laundry detergent, does grant allow for provision of these products

-A big influx of students who want to volunteer, is this something we are open to in the future, historically they are only involved during specific events

-students grateful for the pantry, is there a way they can give back

 

New Business

• Mitra discussed at Cabinet date for distribution, Tues/Wed before break

• Partner with local community for food donations for a complete thanksgiving meal

• Have fresh produce front and center at a table during distribution event

• Stephen Didio elaborated on the donation to the pantry of $50,000 made by our previous President Dr. Diane Call. A gift in that amount is vetted by the University and college senate will have to vote to accept the gift and have the pantry named after Dr. Call’s mother. Funds to be used toward greatest needs for students.

• Would student government take the responsibility to do a survey (peer to peer) as to greatest needs of students

 

Pantry Protocol

• Continue with a sign in sheet

• Give entry to one student at a time to allow for privacy

 

 

 

 

Respectfully,

Angela Gmuca

Respectfully submitted,

Angela Gmuca
Committee on Committee on Food Insecurity of the Academic Senate, Secretary