Coach Mac Food Pantry Guidelines
Support the Pantry
If students require emergency support concerning food insecurity, please contact Alison Murray, assistant dean for student assistance, at acmurray@syr.edu
Summer 2025 Schedule
MAIN PANTRY (lower level of Hendricks Chapel)
Summer hours from May 27-August 15, 2025.
Tuesdays 10 AM-12 PM
Fridays 10 AM-12 PM
SOUTH CAMPUS PANTRY (Carriage House, 161 Farm Acre Rd.)
Summer hours from May 28-August 20, 2025.
Wednesdays
1-3 PM
Parking is available outside the Carriage House or visit the Campus Shuttle schedule for other transportation options.
If students require further support concerning food insecurity, please contact our office at chapel@syr.edu.
MORE RESOURCES
Additional Syracuse-Area Food Pantries
Click HERE to find more food pantries in the Syracuse area.
Register with New York State’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Click HERE for eligibility information on SNAP.
Click HERE to register for SNAP.
Students do not need to be U.S. citizens to be eligible.
Connect with 211
211 is a free service that connects callers to critical health and human services in their community. For help with addiction, mental health, housing, legal matters, and more, 211 is a great support. Dial 2-1-1 on your phone or click HERE for information.
Transportation to Grocery Stores from the Student Association
Sometimes transportation to the grocery store is a barrier to getting quality food items. SU’s Student Association can help! Student Association is proud to announce free trolleys to nearby grocery stores every Sunday this semester. The trolley will continuously shuttle students from the College Place stop to the grocery store from 11 AM – 5 PM on each of the dates listed below. The trolley leaves on the hour beginning at 11 AM and picks up from the grocery store 30 minutes after the hour. The final pick-up time is always 4:30 PM. To find out more, visit this link!
How to Support the Coach Mac Food Pantry
Hendricks Chapel relies on generous donations from the Syracuse University community to stock the food pantry. Ways to support the food pantry include:
- Donating food or personal care items. Physical donations may be dropped off at the Hendricks Chapel Dean’s Suite. Items may also be ordered through our Amazon Wish List, which ships items directly to the pantry. All are encouraged to donate to the Coach Mac Food Pantry Support Fund.
- Donating financially. All are encouraged to donate to the Coach Mac Food Pantry Support Fund.
- If you are a campus partner, Hendricks Chapel is now able to accept fund transfers to a Food Pantry operational account. Please reach out to the Chapel Budget Manager, Maureen Verone at mverone@syr.edu to administer a journal entry. Your donations are most welcome and appreciated.
- Holding a food and toiletry drive. Student groups, residence hall floors, offices, and departments can hold food and toiletry drives to benefit the food pantry. Email Alison Murray at acmurray@syr.edu to learn how you can “Adopt-A-Month” for the pantry!
- Volunteering at the food pantry. Volunteers are needed to stock and organize the pantry, assist with fresh produce deliveries on Fridays and answer questions for visitors. Please email Alison Murray at acmurray@syr.edu if you’re interested in volunteering.
We appreciate your support!
The Coach Mac Food Pantry of Hendricks Chapel In The News
November 23 — Photo Gallery: The Dedication of the Coach Mac Food Pantry at Hendricks Chapel
August 30 — Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry to be Named in Honor of Coach Dick MacPherson on Nov. 23
December 2022 — Syracuse University food pantries fight hunger and stigma on campus
September 2022 — SU garden brings national attention to Indigenous agriculture
November 2021 — Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry Fights Food Insecurity (Citrus TV)
October 2021 — Hendricks Chapel Expands Access to Food Pantry
April 2021 — Syracuse University addresses food insecurity on campus
March 2021 — ‘Cuse Food Funder raises over $7,000 for Hendricks Chapel’s food pantries
August 2020 — Fresh Produce from Pete’s Giving Garden Now Available in Campus Food Pantries
July 2019 — Garden Planted to Provide Fresh Vegetables for Campus Food Pantry
February 2014 — Hendricks food pantry serves hungry students
HISTORY
The Coach Mac Food Pantry was started by chapel staff member, Ginny Yerdon, in the fall semester of 2013. Yerdon began the pantry when she and staff members realized the growing amount of students experiencing food insecurity. At its inception nearly 10 years ago, the pantry received 3 or 4 student patrons weekly. Now, the pantry receives anywhere from 100-250 student visitors per week.
There are currently two food pantries on campus, one is located directly across from the dean’s suite in the chapel and the other is on South Campus. Both pantries rely on monetary and food donations. Monetary donations are used to buy fresh produce, protein bars, soups, pasta, snacks, and personal hygiene items.
Pete’s Giving Garden was started in June of 2021 and is a collaboration between the Office of Engagement Programs, Energy Systems and Sustainability Management, the Food Studies Program at Falk College, and Physical Plant. The garden provides some produce to the pantries and has been highlighted for the planting of the Three Sisters and celebrating Indigenous agriculture. It is named after SU’s vice president & chief facilities officer, Pete Sala.
The pantry is intended to directly serve individuals who experience hunger, food insecurity, and a lack of resources. We also seek to support students by connecting pantry visitors with guidance and resources that can create sustainable solutions in response to their needs. We believe students should not have to choose between spending on food or other essential expenses. We want all students to succeed at Syracuse University. The Coach Mac Food Pantry is stocked with food and personal care items, available at no cost to all students with valid Syracuse University or SUNY ESF ID.