Queens Farm partners with Queens College for
annual food drive to support CUNY students
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
As the COVID-19 public health crisis
has created even more demand for food
pantries across the city, Queens Farm is
continuing its work to feed New Yorkers
through its annual food drive to support
CUNY students.
The food drive began on Monday,
Nov. 9, and will run through Thursday,
Dec. 31, in partnership with the Queens
College Knights Table Food Pantry to
help feed food insecure students.
Queens College President Frank Wu
expressed his appreciation for Jennifer
Weprin, executive director of Queens
Farm, and her staff in support of the college’s
food pantry.
“The services of the pantry — which
provides food access for all CUNY students
in need, free of stigma — are even
more vital now as we continue to adapt to
COVID-19-imposed challenges,” Wu said.
“Our students benefit from both the tangible
results of our partnership with the
Queens Farm and the cooperative model
that it provides — an approach that is
needed now more than ever.”
Queens Farm is encouraging visitors,
neighbors and the general public to
stop by the Farm Store and drop off packaged,
shelf-stable, healthy food to support
CUNY students and their families.
“No one should go hungry. CUNY
students represent the future of New
York City. Together, Queens Farm and
Queens College can feed tummies and
feed minds,” said Weprin. “This food
drive is an extension of our work to help
feed New Yorkers. We invite the community
TIMESLEDGER |16 QNS.COM | NOV. 20-NOV. 26, 2020
to join us to serve those in need this
season.”
In July, Timothy Hunter, chairperson
of CUNY University Student Senate
and Student Trustee of CUNY’s Board of
Trustees, testified before the New York
State Senate on the impact of COVID-19
on higher education.
Their testimony noted that according
to the Healthy CUNY Survey regarding
the impact of COVID-19 on CUNY students,
levels of worry about running out
of food due to lack of money were more
than three times higher in 2020 than in
2018; students also cut or skipped meals
due to lack of money at higher rates.
Additionally, they noted that students
reported having gone hungry often or
sometimes more frequently in 2020. According
to the testimony, 70 percent of
students reported a decrease in income
for other members of their households
and 54 percent reported a decrease in
their own income due to the coronavirus.
Queens Farm is collecting packaged,
shelf-stable, healthy food.
Donations include canned fish and
lean meats; nut butters; soups and stews;
whole grain bread; cereal and crackers;
dried rice; noodles and pasta; oatmeal;
canned or dried beans; sauces and gravy;
packaged fruit and vegetables; and shelfstable
milk.
Expired food will not be accepted.
Anyone interested in donating to support
the food drive can stop by the Queens
Farm Store during regular operating
hours: Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m., from Nov. 9 through Dec. 31.
Queens Farm is encouraging visitors, neighbors and the general public to stop by
the Farm Store and drop off packaged, shelf-stable, healthy food to support CUNY
students and their families. Photo courtesy of Queens College
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