Supporting Our Students in the Event of SNAP Benefit Reductions

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Nearly 400 Adelphi students currently rely on federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to meet their basic food needs. With reports that these benefits could be halted as soon as November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown, many in our community may soon face serious food insecurity.

We also know of 25 students whose homes have been affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and Haiti. Our Division of Student Affairs is reaching out directly to offer assistance, and these students will likewise benefit from our support resources.

At Adelphi, we believe food insecurity should never stand in the way of student success or Adelphi’s mission to transform lives. To prepare and respond, we are taking proactive steps by:

• Expanding access and giving to the Panther Pantry to provide immediate food and household essentials
• Providing direct financial assistance through the Student Emergency Fund to help offset the impact of lost benefits

The Student Emergency Fund:

This fund provides direct financial assistance to students experiencing unforeseen financial hardship that could interrupt their education. To strengthen this safety net, my family and I will personally match all gifts to the Student Emergency Fund, up to $14,000, now through GivingTuesday on December 2. Every dollar raised will go directly to students affected by financial hardship, like the kind that could result from this disruption. Your gift will be doubled by the match.

• Anyone can make a direct contribution to the Student Emergency Fund.
• Students can apply confidentially for emergency financial help through the fund.

I invite all who are able to help support this fund. For GivingTuesday, Adelphi’s broad network of alumni, donors and friends will also be invited to contribute, in solidarity with our campus community. 

Located in Earle Hall, Room 003, our Panther Pantry offers food, personal care items and household essentials—confidentially and free of charge—to any Adelphi student, faculty or staff member in need. We have expanded the pantry’s hours so that you can walk in or place a confidential online order for pickup:

• Monday–Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday–Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evening hours: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Make a financial contribution.
• Donate nonperishable food, personal care and household items. Donations can be brought to the Center for Student and Community Engagement office in the University Center, Room 123, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Volunteer to assist with pantry operations, food distribution or outreach. To volunteer, email divisionofstudentaffairs@adelphi.edu.
• Help spread the word to ensure every Panther knows this resource is here for them.

Even if SNAP is preserved through last-minute emergency funding by government entities, we see this as a call to action to do all we can to reduce food insecurity, which should never stand in the way of student success or Adelphi’s mission to transform lives. Together, our caring, connected community acts with compassion and purpose when they are needed the most. This is the heart of Adelphi.

With gratitude,