With the start of a new academic year imminent, Stop & Shop announced a $10,000 donation to Suffolk County Community College through its School Food Pantry Program.
The donation, made in the form of Stop & Shop gift cards, will support the institution’s three food banks, making it easier for students to access nutritious food and other necessities so they can focus on their studies instead of worrying about where their next meal will come from.
Suffolk County Community College serves approximately 26,000 students across its three campuses; about 37% of them receive Pell Grants.
The institution’s food banks provide a safety net for students facing food insecurity, ensuring access to nutritious food and other essential resources at times when they need them most.
The institution’s commitment to combating food insecurity dates back decades. Suffolk County Community College operates food banks on its Ammerman (Selden), Michael J. Grant (Brentwood), and Eastern (Riverhead) campuses, providing students with access to food and other basic resources.
The Brentwood Food Bank, located on the Michael J. Grant Campus, was the first of its kind at an institution of higher education in New York State and has served students since the 1970s.
Stop & Shop’s School Food Bank Program helps remove barriers that can impact students’ academic success by ensuring consistent access to food. The program supports local schools by providing gift cards and cash donations to stock existing food banks or create new ones.
“We are deeply grateful to Stop & Shop for this generous donation and for their commitment to supporting our students,” said Dr. Edward T. Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College.
“Our food banks are a critical resource for students facing food insecurity, and this support will help ensure that students across all three campuses have access to nutritious food and can stay focused on achieving their educational goals.”
“As students prepare to start a new academic year, no one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Daniel Wolk, Stop & Shop External Communications Manager.
“Suffolk County Community College food pantries provide an invaluable resource for students across Long Island, and we are proud to support their efforts through our School Food Pantry Program. “This $10,000 donation will help ensure more students have access to the nutritious foods they need to succeed, both in and out of the classroom.”
It is worth mentioning that the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program currently supports more than 290 schools in the five states where it operates, serving more than 49,000 students and families each month.
In New York, the program supports more than 120 schools, including 51 on Long Island, and plans to open several more during the 2026-2027 school year.
For more information about the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program, visit https://stopandshop.com/pages/school-food-pantry-program.
