Evan Wolitzer and Meghan Kruszka, on duty at Freddy’s Locker.
Students are enhancing their SUNY Fredonia education through Empire State Service Corps paid public service opportunities.
They are a part of a SUNY-wide cohort of some 500 students across 43 campuses who are participating in these experiences, performing at least 300 hours a year in community service in 2025-2026. They also collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences.
“So far, they really like the experience. Most of what the Empire State Service Corps program offers is a way for students to engage in community service activities, while enhancing leadership skills,” said Deborah Dibble, a program site supervisor and director of Student Health at the Health Center.
Treating every client with dignity reinforces their worth and builds trust. Another takeaway is realizing just how many people are food insecure and need pantries such as Freddy’s locker to have basic food sources.” — Evan Wolitzer
“What I am excited about is that it provides our students with a meaningful opportunity for community service, so they get a real-life experience that any internship opportunities will provide," added David M. White, director of the Office of Multicultural Support Services and also a site supervisor.
Mr. White describes himself as a hands-on mentor who advocates “putting students in positions where they have to think critically and apply lessons learned in a real setting,” so he’s a strong program advocate. “The students I am working with are having a meaningful experience,” he said.
Students are interviewed and hired based on qualifications and availability. Accepted students serve up to 10 hours per week at either an on-campus or community-based host site. They are compensated for meaningful work that can provide lifelong skills as well as have a positive impact in their community.
Evan Wolitzer, Meghan Kruszka and Molly Bowers have been assigned to Freddy’s Locker, the campus food pantry in the Williams Center that addresses student food insecurity by offering food, toiletries and other essential items. Keeping track of orders, bagging items and ensuring that food is kept at the proper temperature are among their primary duties, according to all three students.
A key takeaway from the experience for Mr. Wolitzer, a sophomore Music Education major from Stony Point, NY, is recognizing that students experiencing food insecurity deserve compassion, not pity.
“Treating every client with dignity reinforces their worth and builds trust. Another takeaway is realizing just how many people are food insecure and need pantries such as Freddy’s Locker to have basic food sources,” Wolitzer said.
Moreover, working at a food pantry cultivates empathy, adaptability and a deep understanding of social challenges and skills that are invaluable in any career involving people, leadership or service.
“It also sharpens your ability to communicate clearly, manage resources efficiently, and respond to real-world needs with compassion and strategy,” Wolitzer added.
“Being kind and willing to help others” is a key takeaway that Ms. Kruszka, a junior Criminal Justice major from Hamburg, NY, has discovered from pantry service. Some students pick up food at the pantry because they cannot afford the high prices of food, she said.
“I can use this skill in my future career, gaining the skill of being more understanding and thoughtful of what others are going through,” Kruszka added.
For Ms. Bowers, being open to new experiences and challenges has been a key takeaway. She’s also developed soft skills, such as communication, flexibility and attention to detail.
“At Freddy’s Locker, I have learned to be flexible, especially if we unexpectedly run out of an item in someone’s order, we can always work to help someone find something else they would want,” said Bowers, a first-year student majoring in Biology with a minor in Visual Arts, from Gowanda, NY.
There are currently 11 SUNY Fredonia students enrolled in the program, now in its second year. Assigned locations also include the Veterans Affairs office, Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Counseling Center and Thrift Room.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. celebrated this year’s Empire State Service Corps students as examples of civic education and engagement as part of SUNY’s observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
Is an Empire State Service Corps internship worthy of listing on a resume?
“Most definitely, in fact I encourage it,” Dibble said. “It is a wonderful opportunity to add to their resume,” Ms. Dibble said.
“Students can sharpen those skills that will assist them at the next level,” White added.
The Empire State Service Corp program encompasses nine categories: civic engagement/civil discourse, early childhood, FAFSA completion, food insecurity and SNAP basic needs, K-12 education, peer mental health, student success coaching, sustainability and veterans affairs outreach.
