CUNY
The funding includes $170,000 for food pantries on seven campuses and a three-year, $1 million grant for CUNY Beyond, a career readiness initiative launched this year aimed at serving 180,000 students annually by 2030.
The investment comes as CUNY grapples with persistent food insecurity affecting an estimated 110,000 students. A 2022 university survey found 40% of CUNY students reported having low or very low food security. Between January and October, campus food pantries recorded more than 156,000 visits.
Demand surged in recent weeks following the federal government shutdown, which temporarily halted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. CUNY Chancellor DR. Félix V. Matos Rodríguez authorized an additional $140,000 this month to support the pantries, which serve students and employees regardless of income level or SNAP eligibility.
CUNY operates more than 20 campus food pantries across its network, which includes seven community colleges, 11 senior colleges and eight graduate institutions serving nearly 240,000 students.
The Petrie Foundation has contributed over $2.2 million to CUNY food relief efforts over the past five years.
The new funding for CUNY Beyond will support integrated academic and career advising, industry-aligned courses, and paid work-based learning opportunities embedded in degree programs. Additional grants will support emergency student aid, the CREAR Futuros Latino mentorship program, and CUNY EDGE, which serves public benefits recipients.
