We are the Oasis in the Middle of the Desert

By Genesis Rivera '19

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