Across the country, 1 in 5 students regularly skip meals, having to prioritize other costs associated with college (Swipe Out Hunger, 2018).
Recent studies illuminate that 32% of students claim that hunger has an impact on their education (studentsagainsthunger.org, 2016)
Ithaca College is working to address food insecurity for students, faculty and staff through a number of initiatives.
The on-campus food pantry is a permanent location on campus which stores food and grocery items, personal care products, household paper products, dairy products, frozen foods, and some fresh produce. Prunty's Pantry is located on the lower level of the Egbert Hall/Campus Center building. Use the staircase next to the Information Desk to the first floor and the pantry is on your left.
Fall Semester 2023 Food Pantry Hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 - 2:00 pm and Wednesdays and Fridays from 4-6 pm.
All members of the campus community can utilize the pantry by stopping by during open hours. Shoppers should bring their IC ID with them. You will be asked to provide some basic information for record keeping required by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier (one of our partners). Our volunteers will then let you know how to access the pantry.
Shoppers are limited to one bag of food per visit, but can visit as often as they need to in order to provide for their needs. Shoppers should bring their own reusable grocery bag (limited plastic bags are available).
The pantry will remain open as long as we are able to continue to keep it stocked and have volunteer staff available. We ask that shoppers are responsible and respectful and take only what they need and will use in a short period of time.
Prunty's Pantry is always looking for volunteers! Volunteers can be students, faculty or staff members and are needed to help us staff the open hours - please sign up to volunteer here!
Follow us on Instagram! @icfoodpantry
Donations of non-perishable items and toiletries will gladly be accepted by Prunty's Pantry! Please bring your clean, unopened, unexpired non-perishable items and toiletries to the information desk. Some items that are always needed in the pantry are:
Peanut butter/other nut butters
Jelly
Tuna
Pop-top canned goods
Granola bars
Trail mix/nuts
Microwavable meals (Mac & cheese cups, Cup O' Soups, etc.)
Ramen noodles
Pasta/sauce
Cereal
Shelf stable milk
Cookies/crackers
Gluten free/vegan foods
Feminine hygiene products
Shampoo/conditioner
Deodorant
Toothbrushes/toothpaste
Laundry pods
Reusable bags!
Ongoing support for the food pantry is always needed and appreciated. If you are interested in making a gift to support Ithaca College in addressing food insecurity you can do so here. Under “Select an area to support”, please select "other" and then specify “IC Fund to Address Food Insecurity.”
All gifts will be used to purchase food, personal care items, and other supplies needed by our campus community.
This student-initiated program allows students on the meal plan to donate one of their allotted guest passes to fellow students facing food insecurity. This program began in the Fall of 2018 at the initiative of Unagh Frank ’20, a Hillel at IC engagement intern who researched food insecurity for a course during her sophomore year. Joined by a team of students and with the help of Hillel at IC executive director Lauren Goldberg, Frank worked with Ithaca College Dining Services, Student Financial Services and the ID Office to set up the Swipe Out Hunger program.
The Swipe Out Hunger Program is in effect for the 2023-24 academic year. To combat food insecurity on our campus students with unlimited meal plans can offer up 2 of their guest meal passes this semester by simply filling out this form.
Students who would like to secure meal swipes can simply contact Student Financial Services at sfs@ithaca.edu to receive packages of 15 meal swipes put onto your card. Students can use this resource at any dining hall locations (cafes and retail options are not included), and "reload" more than once- as needed! You do NOT need to be on a meal plan to receive meal swipes.
We believe that healthy, accessible food is a basic human right, and that ensuring that everyone in our IC family are afforded that right is at the foundation of who we are as a campus community. Across the country, 1 in 5 students regularly skip meals, having to prioritize other costs associated with college. This time, more than ever, we NEED you to share your swipes! For more information about the program on our campus check out our FAQs. For more about Swipe Out Hunger as a national organization read here.
Student Financial Services Emergency Loan
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Students may also qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). To qualify you must apply in the state you currently reside. To see if you might be eligible for SNAP, New York State provides a pre-screening tool.
Catholic Charities will also assist students in signing up for SNAP. You can contact Catholic Charities via phone at 607-272-5062. If you get their voice mail, press 1 for the Ithaca Office and leave a message indicating that you would like assistance in applying for SNAP benefits.
Other resources available in Tomkins County include:
GreenStar's FLOWER (Fresh Local Organic Within Everyone's Reach)
Covid-19 Food Resources in Tompkins County:
For Consumers: https://consumer.citompkins.org
Mutual Aid Food Sharing Cabinet:
A little blue Mutual Aid Food Sharing Cabinet is in the South Hill neighborhood! Located at South Hill Elementary School, this cabinet functions as a small food pantry that is available for all community members to take or leave food and other essential items 24/7. This cabinet will be both checked on and filled with items from community members - please feel welcome to take or leave food and other essential items. There is also a Mutual Aid Food Sharing Cabinet on campus near Muller Chapel.
Mutual Aid Cabinet
A blue Mutual Aid Food Sharing Cabinet is now at IC! Located outside Muller Chapel, this cabinet is a small food pantry open to all IC community members to take or donate non-perishable food items and personal care products. All are welcome to utilize the cabinet or leave items 24/7.
What can you do to help?
Please consider bringing a non-perishable food or personal care item with you the next time you’re on-campus.
Got reusable bags? Please donate!
All donations can be dropped of at the Information Desk in Campus Center!
Please also spread the word about this food resource. All are welcome! Any questions? Please contact Student Affairs and Campus Life at studentaffairs@ithaca.edu.
As students conduct research on food insecurity we will post links and information here.
Chef Applegarth makes a delicious meal from food pantry items.
Turkey Meatloaf
1 ½ pounds Ground turkey
¼ cups chopped carrots
¼ cups chopped celery
¼ cups chopped onions
Egg replacer for 2 eggs (or 2 eggs)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 1 /2 teaspoon ketchup
Combine all ingredients but ½ teaspoon ketchup put into 1 loaf pan bake at 325° F for 35-45 min or until Internal temp reaches 165° F.
Take out of oven and let rest for 10 min top with ½ tsp Ketchup. Ready for slicing.
Rice pilaf
1 cup of white rice
2 cups chicken stock
¼ cups chopped carrots
¼ cups chopped celery
¼ cups chopped onions
Salt and pepper to taste
1 TBSP canola oil
Place oil in pan cook vegetables for 5 min on med heat. Add rice toast rice for 2 min then add stock
Bring to a boil stirring rice for 10-12 min turn off heat and let rest for 10 min fluff with fork and taste for salt and pepper.
Canned mix vegetables - Jazzed Up.
1 TBSP of oil
1 TBSP Chopped Shallots or any chopped fresh herb I prefer fresh Basil
Drain vegetable, add oil to pan, add shallots cook for a min on med heat, add vegetables . Taste for salt add fresh herbs at very end.