UAlbany Senators Host Emergency Food Drive

By Rohan Chhabra and Julian Avellaneda | November 17, 2025

Photo Credit: Maceo Foster

Due to the longest government shutdown in American history, many families and local community members supported by federally funded programs like SNAP have been facing a crisis.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income households. More than 30,000 residents of Albany County are supported by this program.

Fortunately, the University at Albany’s Student Association, along with several other university-associated organizations, have stepped up to help by organizing an emergency food drive to help support both local food pantries and students in need.

Dutch Quad Senator Jelani Harris spoke on the clear urgency of the matter.

“Somebody needs to step in, as the government is about to step out,” Harris said. “Food banks are going to be overwhelmed and run out of food.”

The drive, organized by Senator Harris and Maceo Foster, another Senator, saw support from various other organizations such as Fuerza Latina, Alpha Phi Omega and the Mexican Student Association, among others. Volunteers were stationed at a collection table to receive donations in the form of non-perishable goods like canned foods and dry goods. Also collected were various household toiletries, winter clothing and menstrual products.

In addition to food and household items, the drive also collected donations in the form of cash, which was then used to purchase brand new goods, such as fresh clothing, that could be donated to those in need.

Although the turnout started slowly, the team remained optimistic that donations would flow in as the day progressed.

Donations were then distributed to local food banks that can directly benefit the Capital Region. Students went the extra mile and volunteered their own time to drive out to each pantry center to hand deliver the donations.

The bulk of the food donations were brought to the Regional Food Bank and Albany Food Not Bombs, with a smaller portion of these donations going to the Purple Pantry, the university’s own food bank accessible to students. All non-food donations, specifically clothing, were donated to Albany Food Not Bombs as they were the only organization to accept such items.

Harris emphasized that the Student Association’s role goes beyond campus. 

“UAlbany will not let our community be abandoned by the federal government,” Harris said. “This shows what’s possible when people come together, and hopefully it inspires others to ‘throw their hat in’ next time.”

The shutdown officially ended on Nov. 12, but according to NPR, the fallout from the lapse in food assistance and anxiety from people and families who rely on the program continue.

In what became the longest ongoing government shutdown, remaining in place for over 40 days, Foster had one message to share.

“This is a difficult time,” Foster said. “The way we make it through difficult times is by being in community with each other, helping each other out and supporting people in need.”