NEW YORK, December 12, 2018 — SUNY Optometry’s University Eye Center partnered with the Single Stop office at Stella and Charles Guttman Community College, a neighbor across Bryant Park, to stock its Student Food Pantry for the holiday season. A delivery of non-perishable food items donated by faculty, staff and students was made by Ms. Liduvina Martinez-Gonzalez, vice president for clinical administration and executive director of the University Eye Center, and Dr. Michael McGovern, chief medical officer on Tuesday, December 12.
Guttman Community College offers associate degree programs to approximately 1,000 students. Its Student Food Pantry opened in March 2016 in partnership with Single Stop and the Food Bank for New York City to alleviate food insecurity among students and meet the need for immediate nutrition assistance. The pantry’s shelves are stocked with a range of healthful options for students in need of supplemental food.
“Single Stop provides services and resources to help students address barriers that prevent them from attending and completing school,” says Mr. Kednel Jean, a Single Stop specialist at Guttman. “We provide this service in collaboration with internal and external partners and all of the services we offer are free.”
According to Dr. Scott E. Evenbeck, president of Guttman Community College, the institution, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this academic year, serves as a model of how a community college can enhance student success.
“Faculty and advisors [work] with others to ensure students have a hands-on approach to their learning and clear pathways to graduation and beyond.”
[slider_image image_1=”14102,large” image_2=”14103,large” height=”600″]Media Contact: Amber E. Hopkins-Jenkins, 212.938.5607, aehopkinsjenkins@sunyopt.edu