Students Helping Oz Peers (SHOP) is a volunteer-staffed pantry continues to support Oswego students’ needs from its base of operations in the basement of Penfield Library.
“I love SHOP because it really is the way that I feel like I can leave my mark on the community,” said student coordinator Colleen Sewall.
Sewall is among a team lending a helping hand to the SUNY Oswego campus one non-perishable food item or other offering at a time. A fully functioning food and clothing pantry, SHOP opened in 2016 to address food insecurity among students.
Due to the current pandemic, SHOP is not currently open for walk-ins, but continues to serve students online.
“Students can pick whatever they’d like that’s in stock for their order,” which they place via a form on SHOP's website, Sewall said.
Then those made-to-order packages receive a scheduled pick-up time. “It's a contactless pickup and then they can grab whatever they need and be on their way,” Sewall said.
Toiletries, lightly used clothing and canned goods are just a few of the items available to students.
SHOP is currently looking to fill five volunteer opportunities on a bi-weekly shift cycle -- and volunteer positions will be filled on a first-come first-served basis.
Visit the SHOP website or email shop@oswego.edu to learn more about the service or about volunteering.
Faculty, staff and members of the community who are interested in supporting the ongoing need are invited to make an online donation to SHOP or to the Student Emergency Fund.
-- Story and video by Stephanie Shtoyko of the Class of 2021