Entire Empire State Service Corps instructed to help distribute food

STATEWIDE — ALL MEMBERS OF THE EMPIRE STATE SERVICE CORPS AND EVERY NEW YORKERS ARE URGED TO COMMIT TO A DAY OF HUNGER ACTION helping those with food insecurity, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Thursday, Nov. 6. Initiated as the nation’s longest government shutdown approaches 37 days, the Hunger Action Day will necessitate all Empire State Service Corps members to support efforts combating food insecurity. The Service Corps members are instructed to coordinate with SUNY staff to assist with regional food pantries and foodbanks and to provide services at campus food pantries. The governor last week announced $100 million in state funds dedicated to assisting food pantries and banks statewide.

The Empire State Service Corps is New York State’s largest AmeriCorps program. Through the program, 500 students from 45 SUNY campuses throughout New York State commit to dedicating at least 300 hours to engaging in paid community service while also convening regularly to share and learn from each other’s experiences.

The number of applicants for the Empire State Service Corps far exceeded the number of available positions, with applications outpacing the number of campus spots at more than 4:1 over the last two years.

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