When the Connecticut Food Bank reached out to Fairfield University for a donation, they intended to collect a monetary one. However, Fairfield University’s General Manager of Dining Services, Duane Gornicki, donated the University's emergency food supply from the semester throughout New Haven County—resulting in approximately $60,000 worth of food items.
When the semester came to an abrupt halt, I had no place to utilize [the emergency food supply]. [...] This was an opportunity to help.
— Duane Gornicki, Fairfield University’s General Manager of Dining Services
When the Connecticut Food Bank reached out to Fairfield University for a donation, they intended to collect a monetary one. Fairfield’s General Manager of Dining Services, Duane Gornicki, oversees the University’s emergency food supply, which has to be rotated continuously, and consists of three days-worth of food — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — for 3,000 students who typically live on campus. "When the semester came to an abrupt halt, I had no place to utilize it. We have a lot of expirations that were coming up in May, June, July and we were going to lose the food. This was an opportunity to help."
Gornicki suggested that the University donate its emergency food supply. The Connecticut Food Bank directed him to the Columbus House in New Haven, which resulted in nine Columbus House facilities located throughout New Haven County to benefit from approximately $60,000 worth of food items. Fairfield has also continued its long-standing tradition of preparing and delivering meals to Prospect House in Bridgeport every Friday and Sunday.
