Hempstead, NY is
what is called a food desert. A food desert is an urban area in which it is difficult to
buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. Hofstra University exists in
a bubble. We are an oasis in the middle of the desert. Once a week an organization named
Community Solidarity arranges stands across the street from the Hempstead Train
Station to hand out food to people who will wait in line all day to receive
apples, peppers, and a gallon of milk. On Sunday, September 24, 2017 I
had the opportunity to volunteer by handing out food to dozens of people who
struggle to feed their families with the meager selection of food they can find
locally. They lined up to receive rotting fruits and vegetables, day old bread,
and dairy products on the verge of expiration. They desperately grabbed for the
nutrients they needed, no matter the condition of the food, they needed to grab
as much as they could so they could eat for one more week. The unfortunate
arguments and mobs that resulted were kept under control so that people could
efficiently and safely collect subpar items with enormous smiles on their
faces. And all of this took place down the street at the Hempstead Train
Station. Has your mother ever told you, “Finish your food - there are children
starving in Africa?” Well, as much as we attempt to ignore it, they’re
suffering here too.
Many of us never
have to confront the reality that the people around us are malnourished because
of the privileges Hofstra allows us. You may not like the dining options on
campus, but you will always find fruits, vegetables, and other necessary
nutrients to eat your meals. The shopping shuttle may always arrive 5 minutes
late, but it's a convenient ride to Stop & Shop, Target, Trader Joe’s, and
Fairway should you choose to cook for yourself. And yet, there are still
several students on campus that still cannot provide for themselves and must use
the food pantry on campus.
The dozens of people that wait in these
lines are grateful for whatever they can grab and more than willing to speak to
the “angels” who bless them every Sunday. While we may not be able to aid them
financially, lower prices at the supermarkets, or even provide them with
transportation to a local grocery store with nutritious food, we can donate our
remaining meal points to the campus food pantry at the end of the semester,
hand out hot meals at the Mary Brennan INN, or take a quick shuttle ride on a
Sunday afternoon and hand them their groceries with a smile on our faces
knowing that we are not just attending school on Long Island, but bettering the
community while we are here.
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Editor's Note: The Pride Pantry is available to all members of the Hofstra community
