SUNY Westchester Community College and Second Chance Foods today celebrated the expansion of their partnership to combat student food insecurity with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a commercial freezer donated by the nonprofit organization. The new freezer will significantly increase the College’s capacity to store and distribute nutritious frozen meals prepared and donated by Second Chance Foods, helping ensure that more students and their families have reliable access to healthy food.
The donation strengthens the College’s ongoing commitment to supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. Nationally, nearly 25% of all undergraduate students experience food insecurity, a challenge that can affect academic performance, persistence, and degree completion.
“Student success depends on more than academic opportunity alone,” said Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President of SUNY Westchester Community College. “Students are best positioned to succeed when their basic needs are met. We are deeply grateful to Second Chance Foods for this generous donation and for their continued partnership in helping us remove barriers to success. Together, we are ensuring that more students can focus on learning, achieving their goals, and building brighter futures.”
The donated freezer will expand the College’s ability to provide frozen, nutritious meals through its student support initiatives, complementing the wide range of services SUNY Westchester offers to help students persist to graduation. The partnership reflects the College’s holistic approach to student success by addressing the non-academic challenges that can prevent students from reaching their educational goals.
“We are honored to play a small part in removing one barrier for students who are working hard to build brighter futures,” said Martha Elder, Executive Director of Second Chance Foods. “A nourishing meal may seem like a simple thing, but it can mean the difference between struggling through the day and being able to focus, learn, and thrive.”
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, who participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, praised the partnership and its broader impact.
“Community colleges play a key role in preparing the workers most needed in our communities. Their students deserve the opportunity to learn without wondering where their next meal will come from,” Assemblymember Shimsky said. “Yet, nearly one in four college students experiences food insecurity, often while juggling employment and family responsibilities. SUNY Westchester is addressing this most basic need through its partnership with Second Chance Foods – ensuring access to fresh, nutritious food while also supporting the diversion of food waste from our landfills. It’s a winning proposition for SUNY students, the environment, and our society.”
The event also recognized the work of the College’s Student Support Services team and the many community partners whose generosity helps remove barriers to student success through food assistance, scholarships, internships, mentoring, and other essential resources.
By expanding access to nutritious food, SUNY Westchester Community College and Second Chance Foods are helping students stay focused on their education while strengthening the health and well-being of the broader Westchester community.For more information on SUNY WCC’s Student Support Services, visit www.sunywcc.edu/sss.
