What began as a simple partnership to support students has grown into a powerful community anchored in dignity, compassion, and shared purpose. At Pace University’s Pleasantville Campus, the Pace Market and Mobile Pantry have become essential resources where students, staff, and volunteers come together to ensure no one faces hunger alone.
This collaboration between Pace University and Feeding Westchester has evolved into a vibrant hub of support, education, and belonging.
Many students first heard about the Pace Market through civic engagement classes, campus events, or word-of-mouth. What drew them in was a desire to serve their community in a meaningful way. Some had backgrounds in volunteering at churches, hospitals, or local organizations. Others were looking for a community-based internship that aligned with their values.
One student described the Market as, “support, dignity, community, and fun all in one place,” while another recalled knowing instantly after interviewing with Assistant Director Wen Xi Piombino that this was where they were meant to serve. Across all stories, the motivation was the same: a love for helping others and a belief that students deserve access to the food they need to thrive.
Volunteers often point to the energy of the Mobile Market as the moment that truly stayed with them. On distribution days, pallets of food fill Elm Hall, music plays, and students move between stations with laughter, focus, and a shared sense of purpose. “It feels like a well-oiled machine,” one volunteer said, remembering how quickly everyone jumps into action to unload boxes, arrange groceries, and welcome the long line of students waiting with tote bags in hand.
Others recall the quiet but powerful joy of watching students leave smiling, grateful to have a good meal for the week. These moments remind volunteers that this work is bigger than service hours; “it is a movement of students helping students.”
For many, volunteering has transformed their understanding of food insecurity. Before joining the Pace Market, some believed hunger only affected certain groups or that students with meal plans were largely secure. Standing behind the Market table changed that perspective.
Volunteers quickly learned that food insecurity is widespread and often invisible. “It impacts residents, commuters, athletes, graduate students, and even those working multiple jobs. Many students stretch groceries farther than they should or quietly skip meals.” The biggest barrier is often stigma. “So many students hesitate to use the Market because they think someone else needs it more,” one volunteer shared. Seeing this up close made it clear that access to food should never come with shame.
Through this work, a strong, welcoming community has taken shape. Volunteers talk about how each shift brings them closer, making it easier for students to ask for help and for volunteers to collaborate with comfort and trust. Shoppers and volunteers recognize each other, exchange suggestions, and create an environment free of judgment.
Many credit Wen’s leadership for inspiring such commitment that “we sometimes have more volunteers than the schedule can hold.” What has formed is a community rooted in kindness and shared purpose, where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected.
Programs like the Pace Market have become more critical than ever. Students today juggle rent, textbooks, tuition, jobs, and family responsibilities. Food often becomes the thing they sacrifice. Having a dependable, free source of nutritious food on campus not only reduces stress but also strengthens academic performance, mental health, and retention.
“These programs don’t just feed students,” one volunteer said. “They support their overall success.”
The Market itself began as a Mobile Pantry partnership with Feeding Westchester in 2018. Pace was the first college partner to host a Mobile Pantry, which quickly revealed a deeper need for a permanent, accessible resource on campus. With Feeding Westchester’s support, the effort grew into a brick-and-mortar pantry now open every weekday.
Staff note that without Feeding Westchester, the pantry would not exist. The partnership provides food, guidance, and a dignified model that empowers students to volunteer, shop, and uplift their community. It has also helped destigmatize student hunger, highlighting that need is not a personal failing but a systemic challenge people navigate every day.
The impact is visible in the steady flow of students who return weekly. It’s reflected in the growing number of volunteers eager to help, and in the sense of pride the community feels in having a resource designed for everyone. Faculty and staff have also utilized the Market, further normalizing the idea that anyone can need support at times.
As the Pace Market continues to grow, the hope is to expand awareness, deepen course connections, strengthen sustainability, and continue adapting to student needs in real time. Students and staff alike imagine a future where every Pace community member knows where to find help, how to access it, and how they can contribute.
Together, Pace University and Feeding Westchester are building more than a food pantry. They are nurturing a community that cares for one another with dignity and kindness, ensuring every student has the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and succeed.
