SUNY Poly receives $10,000 from Dominion Energy to support 'Poly Pantry'

SUNY Poly receives $10,000 from Dominion Energy to support 'Poly Pantry'

Published:
Friday, February 1, 2019 - 16:14
News Releases
PolyPantry

Newly created pantry at SUNY Poly’s Utica campus provides ‘stigma-free access’ to
food and personal items for students in need

UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) announced siginficant support for its newly created “Poly Pantry,” receiving a $10,000 donation from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, which will help fight unaddressed food insecurity for students at SUNY Poly’s Utica campus.

“SUNY Poly is grateful for the generosity of the Dominion Energy as its donation helps to uplift any students who may need a helping hand while they work toward their educational goals,” said Dr. Grace Wang, SUNY Poly Interim President. “This donation will help keep our ‘Poly Pantry’ well stocked to ensure students have what they need to make it through any times of need, and we are proud to support an empowering campus atmosphere through this SUNY-wide initiative.”

“We are thrilled to support the SUNY Poly Foundation in its mission to help fight student hunger through ‘Poly Pantry,’” said Stan Ossowski, Manager of Operations, Dominion Energy Transmission. “No student should have to suffer with food insecurity and this grant will help ensure those who need it will have the ability to focus on classwork and other school activities.”

“Poly Pantry,” which opened at the start of the Spring 2019 semester, operates out of Auxiliary Services on the institution’s Utica campus and allows students to obtain food and personal hygiene items to help them achieve their educational goals without the burden of hunger or food insecurity. Students are able to request available pantry items by placing an order and are notified once it has been filled. All orders are filled within 24 hours.

“Poly Pantry” is part of an initiative launched by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to help provide SUNY/CUNY students with “stigma-free access” to a food pantry. Nearly 40 percent of SUNY Poly students during the fall 2018 semester were eligible for Federal Pell Grants; eligibility of Pell Grants is based on a household income of $30,000 or less.

Dominion Energy Transmission’s Stan Ossowski presented the funds to Dr. Wang and the SUNY Poly Foundation at a ceremony that took place Friday, February 1. For more information about “Poly Pantry,” please visit: https://sunypoly.edu/announcements/poly-pantry-now-open.html.

Pictured L-R: Tucker J. Mogren, President, Student Government at SUNY Poly Utica, Stan J. Ossowski, Manager of Operations at Dominion Energy Transmission, Dr. Grace Wang, Interim President, SUNY Poly

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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Poly is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica/Rome campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.

About Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy Transmission is a natural gas pipeline system that provides safe and reliable transportation throughout upstate New York. Its parent company, Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), serves nearly 7.5 million customers who energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas in 18 states. Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed nearly $35 million in 2018 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit to learn more.