Working Together to Address Food Insecurity at Seton Hall

Since 2024, the University and Gourmet Dining Services have partnered with Table to Table, one of the premier food rescue organizations in New Jersey, to address food insecurity in our neighboring communities.  Even through our recent briskly cold winter weather, this partnership has remained warm and strong.

Twice each week, GDS donates leftover prepared food to those in need, rather than throwing good food away. Key to maintaining this operation are the students of the Alpha-Gamma-Delta sorority. On a recent Friday afternoon, two student volunteers, Ella Gemellaro and Camryn Yarwood, were busy loading trays of food into a car to be delivered to Jesus Saves shelter in Newark. There, hot meals would be distributed to hungry people struggling with food insecurity.

Gemellaro explained that the food pick-ups were not the only service work related to food that her sorority was involved in. “Yesterday we actually made 999 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” she explained. The sandwiches were delivered to six different locations in the area. “It means a lot to us to be able to see the impact and difference we make,” Gemellaro said. She added that “the experience makes us realize how grateful we are for everything we have. It really is a heartwarming moment and makes us all feel so good to see the community come together for those in need.”

Leading the Friday afternoon food pick-up was Marc Gordon, director of operations for Gourmet Dining Services. “Today we’ve got 12 to 15 pans, but sometimes we’ll have 20 pans,” he said. Each aluminum tray was packed with well-prepared warm meals, including sausage and peppers, pork chops, rice and beans and baked ziti pasta, all a much-needed lifeline for those in need.

Gemellaro and Yarwood also expressed how rewarding the work was, especially when they get to see the happy smiles of those receiving the donated meals. Trunk packed and ready to head to Newark, Yarwood summed up the purpose of their mission. “Communities not having enough food is a big issue and if we can take the food they [GDS] would throw out to people in need, that’s a big win.”

Alpha-Gamma-Delta has also done work with Meals on Wheels in the past and helped out with various other organizations. Raven Ortiz, who heads up philanthropy at the sorority, has been a driving force in its efforts to give back to the community.  

“Our philanthropy is about more than just events or fundraising,” Ortiz explains, “it’s about consistent service and long-term impact. Whether we’re volunteering at Jesus Saves, organizing drives or raising awareness, our goal is to create meaningful change in our community. It brings our members together around something bigger than ourselves and reminds us why service is such a core part of who we are.”

To get involved in food recovery or other environmental sustainability efforts happening on campus, please reach out to our new Sustainability Action Club via [email protected] 

Seton Hall students who are in need of immediate emergency aid, please contact DOVE or (973) 761-9702.

Categories: Campus Life, Faith and Service