Hostos Unites for Annual Thanksgiving Distribution, Supporting Students in Need

 
The 2025 Thanksgiving Distribution Event provided 200 students with bags filled with Thanksgiving meal essentials.

The spirit of giving was in full swing at Hostos Community College on Tuesday, November 25, as the College’s One Stop program hosted its annual Thanksgiving Turkey and Chicken Distribution event. This incredible initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Student Government Association (SGA), Student Leadership Academy (SLA), Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and Office of Student Activities. Together, they provided 200 students with free grocery bags brimming with Thanksgiving essentials, including turkey or chicken and fixings for sides. Students also received a $25 voucher, generously contributed by the New York Yankees, to be used at Bravo and CTown supermarkets.  
Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis radiated pride as staff and student volunteers warmly welcomed attendees and distributed bags. “Hostos is a family, and family takes care of family,” she expressed. President Cocco De Filippis underscored the importance of this event, especially in light of a recent delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, reaffirming the College’s commitment to supporting students who experience food insecurity. “When there was a SNAP freeze, the College anticipated and stocked the food pantry — and re-stocked it — so that the students would not go hungry. I do not want my students to suffer food insecurity in ways that we can prevent,” she emphasized. “This means the world to me.”
 
Dr. Althea Sterling, Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management (SDEM), echoed the President’s sentiments, noting the pantry as an important resource for our students, especially as the College is located in the poorest congressional district in the country, where food insecurity affects many, including Hostos students. “It’s important because of our student population. Our food pantry has been quite supportive [in response to] food insecurity,” she said, adding, “It’s the holidays. We know that this will make a difference for the students and their families. It’s also a moment to bring the Hostos community together. You can feel the energy, you can feel that the students coming here to pick up the groceries are truly excited. So it means a lot in so many different ways for us at Hostos.”  
Madeline Cruz, One Stop Coordinator, also reiterated the importance of the event. “Every year, I try to do a Thanksgiving event for the students because I know that there is food insecurity there,” she shared. Cruz manages the College’s pantry and assesses students’ needs based on pantry usage each semester. “This is important for the school. Through this event, we can show that we care about our students, and we’re here if they have any type of needs.”
 
Jason Libfeld, Student Leadership Academy Coordinator, shared the event was born about ten years ago from student leaders’ desire to help their peers facing financial hardships and food insecurity around the holidays. Every year since, the SGA, SLA, and Phi Theta Kappa, along with the Office of Student Activities, work collaboratively to gather the funds to provide turkey and chicken, and the College’s food pantry provides the other Thanksgiving meal fixings. The initial event served approximately 60 families and has grown exponentially, not only serving more than twice the number of families, but also helping them access holiday staples as the price of groceries continue to climb. “This actually gives members of our community the things that they need in order to be able to prepare a meal for Thanksgiving for their families,” he shared. "We've heard from some of the students that they’re very thankful for how heavy the bags are and that they’re getting all of this stuff. I think that, financially, it’s very difficult to make ends meet. Financially, the fact that we’re able to give this away and provide for our students and their families is a big deal. I think that they’re very excited about it,” he said, adding: “If anyone out there wants to make contributions, financially, we could always do more.”
   
At Hostos, prioritizing the well-being of students and fostering a sense of community is central to the institution’s mission, and this dedication fuels the enthusiasm of student volunteers year after year during the distribution event. “We’re partnering for this event because the most important thing about Hostos is its students,” shared SGA President Nichelle Hemphill. “We want to make sure that students feel covered, feel heard and understood, and of course come to school ready to learn — and the best way to learn is to come to school with a full belly. We decided that we should all come together to give to where students need the most, which is food.” Fellow SGA member Ashley Walker concurred. She shared she strongly believes in the importance of making essential resources accessible within students’ immediate communities and feels compelled to pay forward the help she once received when she was facing food insecurity.  
Overall, the event was a success for volunteers and recipients alike. SLA member Yajaira Guzman shared “It’s a very nice experience to be part of this and feel like I’m giving back and also helping my College,” and student Hawa Ali Bamba Cherif expressed her gratitude for both the resources and the community provided. “This event is really helpful in showing us that together we can do something better; in difficult moments, this is the best thing to do,” she said.
 
This collective effort exemplifies the unwavering support and dedication of the Hostos Community College family, embodying the true spirit of Thanksgiving. We are grateful for our incredible staff, faculty, and students, who come together every day to make our community what it is.