Fordham Students Spearhead Innovative Food Donation Program, Feeding Thousands in Need

In a remarkable display of student initiative and community spirit, a group of Fordham University juniors have devised a smart solution to prevent unused student meals from going to waste. Through their Fordham Food Walks program, they have already donated thousands of deli sandwiches to the nearby nonprofit organization, Part of the Solution (POTS), making a significant impact on the lives of those in need.

Transforming Unused Meals into Nourishment for the Community

Identifying the Problem and Crafting a Solution

Fordham University students Jack Wenz and Andres Caballero recognized the issue of unused student meals going to waste at the end of each week. With students purchasing preset meal plans at the beginning of each semester, many found themselves with extra meals that they couldn't get reimbursed for. Rather than letting these resources go to waste, Wenz and Caballero decided to take action.In 2023, the duo launched the Fordham Food Walks program, a student-run initiative that collects the unused meals and donates them to POTS, a local nonprofit organization. By partnering with the campus deli, The Grotto, students can order sandwiches through the Grubhub app and have them collected by the Fordham Food Walks team. These sandwiches are then transported to POTS, where they are distributed to those in need.

Expanding the Reach and Impact

The Fordham Food Walks program has quickly gained momentum, with nearly 8,000 deli sandwiches donated to POTS since its inception. As word has spread, the number of donations has steadily increased, with the program reaching a new record of 772 sandwiches donated in a single day on October 18, 2024.The success of the program can be attributed to the dedication and hard work of the student volunteers, who tirelessly collect the sandwiches from various dorm refrigerators around campus and transport them to POTS. Despite the logistical challenges, the team is committed to ensuring that the donations reach their destination, no matter the weather conditions.

Fostering Collaboration and Community Engagement

The Fordham Food Walks program is a testament to the power of student-led initiatives and the impact they can have on the local community. The program's success has been bolstered by the support and collaboration of various stakeholders, including the campus deli, POTS staff, and the Fordham community at large.Deli workers have been incredibly supportive of the program, ensuring a smooth process for the student volunteers to collect the donated sandwiches. At POTS, the organization's staff have welcomed the assistance, recognizing the significant impact the Fordham Food Walks program has had in addressing the growing demand for meals in the community.

Inspiring Future Careers and Civic Engagement

The Fordham Food Walks program has not only provided tangible benefits to the community but has also had a profound impact on the student volunteers themselves. Andres Caballero, one of the program's founders, has found that his involvement has sparked a newfound passion for the nonprofit sector, and he has since taken on an internship at POTS, where he helps follow up with clients and connect them to necessary services.For Wenz, Caballero, and the other student volunteers, the Fordham Food Walks program has become a labor of love, one that doesn't feel like work but rather a meaningful contribution to their community. Their dedication and commitment to the program's success serve as an inspiration to their peers and a testament to the transformative power of student-led initiatives.