Sodexo fights food insecurity in Greater Albany capital region

5K Stop Hunger runs, a charity-based tradition started by Sodexo university campus dining teams in New York, raises money for local food banks and food pantries.

As of 2019, races based out of SUNY Oneonta and the University at Albany raised over $77,000 in the past five years.

In addition to this yearly main event, the University at Albany and dining partner Sodexo host a Farmer’s market in October to raise money for food insecurity. Due to COVID neither event could take place in 2020.

Concerned for an increased need to fight community hunger, Resident District Manager Kevin D’Onofrio and District Manager Tim MacTurk of UAlbany Dining created a plan to continue the positive impact.

They reached out to Carioto produce, a local partner which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to restaurants, food service, grocery stores, education, and health care facilities, and coordinated a delivery of fruits and vegetables. At the same time, they reached out to St. Vincent’s Food Pantry, a regular recipient of donations from Sodexo, to arrange for the best time to deliver the donation.

“We recognize the need, particularly during this time of COVID, to do more for our communities and I am fortunate to have a Sodexo team around me who wants to make a difference and positive impact,” said MacTurk.

On October 26, D’Onofrio and MacTurk delivered fresh produce to St. Vincent’s Food Pantry which serves guests from the Pine Hills and Eagle Point neighborhoods.

A $500 check was also part of the donation.

Additional produce will be delivered to the pantry in the coming weeks.

Next up, a virtual volunteer event “Holiday Hunger Appeal” will raise money for the regional food bank of northeastern New York. MacTurk and team will set up a website to accept donations from friends, family, and Sodexo team members.

PHOTO CAPTION (LEFT TO RIGHT): Resident District Manager Kevin D’Onofrio, District Manager Tim MacTurk, St Vincent’s Food Pantry Executive Director Angela Warner