Fordham University students Andres Caballero (Psychology, Class of 2026) and Jack Wenz (Physics, Class of 2026) have taken a creative approach to address food waste and hunger in their community. In a recent conversation with Catholic Charities, the students shared how they launched the “Fordham Food Walk” initiative, which utilizes leftover meal swipes to provide meals to the Part of the Solution (POTS) organization in The Bronx, an affiliate partner agency of Catholic Charities NY.
This initiative began when Caballero noticed that many Fordham students had unused meal swipes, which were going to waste. He proposed using these swipes to order sandwiches, which could then be donated to those in need. “I noticed that myself and many students at Fordham were having leftover meal swipes on a weekly basis that weren’t being used and they were essentially going to waste,” Caballero explained. “So, I thought of an idea to use those leftover meals credits and order food with those swipes and deliver them to POTS on a weekly basis.”
Wenz, who had a similar vision, joined forces with Caballero. He shared, “I realized that there’s a lot of waste in the meal plan program. Most of my friends didn’t use all their dining dollars. We bought a whole bunch of cans and other non-perishable items and donated them to POTS. It was inspiring to see the amount of people who responded to this idea and helped us out.”
The students’ commitment to the cause led to a significant increase in support from the Fordham community. The number of regular contributors grew from just a handful to over 300. Caballero and Wenz were both amazed by the community’s response. “We really try to maintain a level of dignity and care for the food that we’re donating, ensuring that it is safe and presentable.” Wenz said.
The “Fordham Food Walk” has made a considerable impact, donating over 5,000 meals and 598 non-perishable items in its first year. The students aim to expand their efforts by involving more campuses and continuing to raise awareness about food insecurity and waste. They emphasized the importance of community service, viewing it as a moral obligation rather than an extraordinary act.
Reflecting on the experience, Caballero stated, “My passion and commitment to service have definitely strengthened through this. It’s been an amazing experience seeing the impact we’re having on the community. It is the highlight of my week to bring the food over and engage with the staff at POTS.”
Wenz added, “We hope that our program will make an impression on students and inspire them to start their own initiatives or engage in small acts of service in their own lives. It’s not just about the number of donations; it’s about maintaining dignity and care in the process.”
The students’ work has been recognized by Catholic Charities NY, and they plan to continue their efforts, aiming to pass the torch to other students before they graduate. Their initiative not only provides essential support to the community surrounding Fordham’s campus, but also encourages their contemporaries to advocate for prevalent issues like food insecurity in The Bronx.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York offers numerous opportunities for volunteers to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Whether you’re a student looking to get involved, a professional seeking meaningful volunteer work, or someone who wants to support these initiatives financially, Catholic Charities welcomes your involvement. Visit our website to learn more about volunteer opportunities, donate, or find out how you can contribute to building stronger communities. Your participation can make a significant impact!
