Mav Market Food and Resource Pantry
Winter Break Hours
The Mav Market in Dobbs Ferry, Manhattan, and the Bronx is closed for Winter Break. For resources and support over the break, please visit our Resource Guide, or email mavmarket@mercy.edu for more help.
Welcome to the Mav Market: Mercy’s Food & Resource Pantry
The Mav Market is a judgment-free, inclusive, and confidential resource for Mercy University students, staff, and faculty experiencing food insecurity, providing access to nutritious food and personal care items at no cost. By easing the burden of securing basic needs, the Mav Market empowers students to stay focused on their studies and reach their full potential as Mavericks. Students should go to class hungry for knowledge, not for food. If you can’t afford balanced meals or sacrifice food to pay bills, know that you don’t have to choose.
Location and Hours of Operation
SPRING HOURS TBD
SPRING HOURS TBD
SPRING HOURS TBD
What is Food Insecurity?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a “household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food"
Food insecurity is the inability to access enough food for you to live an active, healthy, and productive life. Not only does it mean not having access to sufficient food overall, it can also mean:
- not having access to sufficient healthy food options
- not having access to culturally relevant food
- having only inconsistent or otherwise difficult to access food
Effects of food insecurity
Food insecurity, or the lack of access to enough nutritious food, can have serious consequences on people's health and well-being.
Physical health - People who experience food insecurity are more likely to experience malnutrition and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Mental health - Food insecurity can also hurt people's mental health and result in depression, anxiety, and stress
Well-being - Not meeting basic needs like food and shelter can lead to social isolation, stigma, and shame
School and work - Without enough food, people who experience food insecurity may have difficulty concentrating, have low energy, or miss school and work due to illness
Information courtesy of Feeding America
College students and food insecurity
3 in 5 college students experience basic needs insecurity related to food
The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, 2025
Our impact at Mercy University: 2024-2025
- Over 1,000 visits across all three campuses
- 250+ individuals requesting food assistance
- Over 800 individuals fed
Below are some questions you can ask yourself to help better understand if you are experiencing food insecurity.
In the past 12 months:
- I worried whether my food would run out before I got money to buy more.
- The food that I bought just didn't last, and I didn't have money to get more.
- I couldn't afford to eat balanced meals.
- I cut the size of my meals or skipped meals because there wasn't enough money for food.
- I ate less than I felt I should because there wasn’t enough money for food.
- I was hungry but didn’t eat, because there wasn’t enough money for food.
Questions used by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assess food insecurity.
Mav Market Resource Guide
Check out these resources to learn more about federal benefits, food pantries near you, healthy eating, and more!
Support the Mav Market
Thank you to our partners for their continued generosity and support of our mission with the Mav Market:
- Feeding Westchester
- Food Bank for New York City
- The Rivertowns Rotary Club
- Aldersgate United Methodist Church
- Stop and Shop
- Swipe Out Hunger
- Wegmans
Basic Needs 101 For Faculty and Staff
Thank you for you interest in supporting Mercy students to meet their basic needs. Here are some ways that you can help students!
Basic Needs are the essential resources that impact one’s health, sense of belonging, persistence, and overall well-being. They are the minimum resources necessary to holistically support all students in their daily lives, to ensure strong academic performance, and promote persistence towards graduation and supporting student wellbeing. They include:
❏ Food security
❏ Safe and stable housing
❏ Financial sustainability
❏ Transportation
❏ Quality healthcare
❏ Mental health & wellness
❏ Financial wellness
An ecosystem that supports financial stability by ensuring equitable access to nutritious and sufficient food; safe, secure and adequate housing (to sleep, study, cook and shower); healthcare to promote sustained mental and physical well-being; affordable transportation; resources for personal hygiene care; and emergency needs for students with dependents
Issues of food and housing insecurity and/or homelessness often carries a significant amount of stigma. If someone reveals that they are dealing with these challenges, there are several ways you can provide support. You can:
- Point out Mercy's on-campus food and resource pantry, the Mav Market
- You can directly refer them to the Basic Needs Manager, or
- Complete a CARE referral on the student's behalf
Express gratitude for their openness.
"I'm grateful that you shared what you're going through."
"I appreciate you trusting me enough to disclose your struggle."
Acknowledge the difficulty they are facing.
"I can only imagine how challenging it must be to focus on your studies when you don't know where your next meal is coming from."
"Dealing with unstable housing can be extremely stressful."
Discuss available support options.
"Are you aware that we have a food pantry located on each campus? It's open to all students and can provide assistance regardless of your circumstances."
"The Basic Needs Manager might be able to help through on-campus programs and services or connections with off-campus resources"
Follow up to check if they accessed the suggested resources or require further assistance.
"Did you manage to get in touch with the Mav Market?"
"Has there been any improvement in your situation?"
There are several indicators that may suggest a student is experiencing food and housing insecurity or homelessness. Sometimes, the severity of the situation may not be immediately apparent because students might feel ashamed or embarrassed about it. Faculty and staff who are aware of these warning signs and the available support can better identify and refer students. The following list is not exhaustive, and not all students exhibiting these symptoms are necessarily facing housing or food insecurity; these symptoms can arise from other issues. However, they often point to problems with basic necessities.
- Inconsistent or reduced attendance in class.
- Disengagement within the classroom.
- Sleeping in campus libraries.
- Consistently failing to complete assignments.
- Avoidance of personal details.
- Sleep deprivation or falling asleep during class.
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing.
- Expressing inability to complete coursework due to lack of textbooks.
- Increased distress.
- Feelings of hopelessness.
- Disrupted eating patterns.
- Poor health and diet.
- Neglect of personal hygiene.
- Wearing unwashed clothes repeatedly.
- Students disclosing that they have been sleeping in their car, couch surfing, lack accommodations during breaks, struggling to afford food or bills, etc.
Include a statement in your syllabus on basic needs, for example: “Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the Basic Needs Manager (mavmarket@mercy.edu) for support. You may also notify me, if you feel comfortable doing so, and I will do my best to help you identify and arrange other resources. We can also discuss other ways I can support you’’
For more on the importance of syllabus statements, consider the following from Sara Goldrick-Rab: Beyond the Food Pantry: Spreading the Word - Supporting Students' Basic Needs with a Syllabus Statement and Welcome Survey
Mav Market FAQs
Q: What is the Mav Market?
A: The Mav Market is Mercy University's food and resource pantry, open to all students, staff, and faculty. We provide food, snacks, and toiletries, as well as additional resources such as federal benefit eligibility pre-screeners, SNAP assistance, and nutrition education. Our services are completely free, confidential, and open to all!
Q: Where is the Mav Market located?
A: Find us in Westchester in Main Hall Room 115, the Bronx in Room 1250, and Manhattan in Room 329!
Q: What if I cannot visit a pantry during open hours, but I am in need?
A: If you are in need of food assistance outside of open hours, please email us at mavmarket@mercy.edu.
Q: What if I have a dietary allergy or a medical/religious restriction?
A: If you have a dietary restriction, reach out to the Basic Needs Manager (mavmarket@mercy.edu) and we will work to make sure you can be accommodated.
If this is your first time, here’s what the process looks like:
- Figure out which campus you want to shop at and find out when they have open hours
- Bring a reusable bag!
- Check in with the student worker staffing the pantry
- See how many points you have to shop (dependent on household size)
- Take what will help you get through the week!
If you're feeling nervous visiting for the first time--know that it's completely normal. Please know:
- Many Mercy students, faculty, and staff use the Mav Market regularly
- Using the Mav Market does not mean you have failed
- Having your basic needs met is an essential part of academic success and something that every person is worthy of
You deserve to eat. You deserve support. We are here to help.
The Mav Market offers a variety of free items, including:
Food
- Shelf-stable goods and snacks (pasta, rice, sauce, mac and cheese, ramen)
- Canned goods (vegetables, fruits, beans, meat)
- Breakfast items (cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly)
- Grab-and-go options (protein/snack bars, nuts, chips, crackers)
- Fresh produce
- Frozen meat/protein
Personal Care & Hygiene Items
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Razors
- Menstrual products
Availability may vary, but we do our best to stock items students need most.
Q: Can I volunteer with the Mav Market?
A: Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to host volunteers. Our Mav Markets are staffed by Federal-Work Study students, if you are interested in working with the Mav Market and are eligible for Work-Study, reach out to mavmarket@mercy.edu. If you are looking to fulfill community service hours or you are an organization looking to partner with us, please reach out mavmarket@mercy.edu.
Q: Can I design a project for the Mav Market for academic credit?
A: Absolutely, the Mav Market encourages students to participate in a way that is meaningful for the! We will gladly work with you and your professor to design a project that enriches your perspective and helps the Mav Market.
Q. Can I host a food drive to benefit the Mav Market?
A. Yes! We love to work with on and off-campus organizations looking to raise items/funds to benefit the Mav Market. Please contact mavmarket@mercy.edu before your drive to coordinate with our Basic Needs Manager.
Join us to fight food insecurity on campus and make a gift to the Mav Market.
Donate online using our Amazon Wishlist! Items will be shipped directly to the Mav Market in Dobbs Ferry.
You can also donate items in-person at any of our locations. Please email us at mavmarket@mercy.edu to arrange a drop-off time!
We are in need of:
- Individually-wrapped snacks
- Toiletries
- Microwaveable single meals, shelf stable
- Spices: salt, pepper, garlic, onion, paprika
- Energy/protein bars
- Ramen noodles
- Mac n' cheese
Contact Us
Matthew Pangburn, M.S.
Basic Needs Manager
mavmarket@mercy.edu
Follow us on Instagram for updates!