Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture(opens in a new tab) defines food insecurity as the “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or the ability to acquire those foods in a socially acceptable manner.” We define it as any concern a student might have with respect to choosing between having access to food or having to pay for other daily essentials.

Any student currently enrolled at Marymount Manhattan College or any recent graduate within 3 months of Commencement.

No. Students are required to complete an online Intake Form at the beginning of the academic semester or when they shop for the first time that academic semester and thereafter, just sign-in each time they shop at The Grocery. The data collected is used only for statistical purposes and students are never asked to provide financial proof of need.

The Grocery offers a wide-range of non-perishable items including: canned vegetables, canned beans, canned chili, tuna, salmon and canned chicken, assorted pastas and sauces, macaroni and cheese, individual fruit cups, plain and flavored instant oatmeal packets and boxed cold cereal, peanut butter and jelly, cereal and granola bars, toaster pastries and ready-to-eat meals. The inventory changes and newer items are added regularly.

Depending on The Grocery’s current available stock, a student can have at least one item from each category and can often take multiples of some items. Most students leave with a full bag of groceries after a visit to the Grocery.

Yes! The Grocery is open to all MMC students regardless of where they live. All shopping is still subject to the amount of food that we have available on any given day.

If students cannot shop during the Tuesday or Friday hours, they can email griffysgrocery@mmm.edu with their availability and one of the coordinators will follow up to make an appointment to shop.

A student can shop once a week on either of the two days that The Grocery is open (Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00 am or Fridays from 2:00-3:00 pm) or by appointment by emailing griffysgrocery@mmm.edu.

Yes! We are ALWAYS accepting donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, and gently used/new career clothing. You can also make a tax-deductible monetary donation at www.mmm.edu/offices/grocery/donate.

Career Closet offers new and gently used clothing items that are available through the generous donations made by faculty and staff. Career Closet is open on the last Friday of every month. Students are able to shop for any two items to help them look their best for a job interview, internship or on campus presentation.

On an everyday basis, perishable items are not offered at The Grocery. However, we sometimes have day-of fresh fruit donations from Chartwells, who run MMC’s Dining Services. In addition, we have arranged with Chartwells for students to “shop” for perishable items in the Café on Friday evenings. Please knock on the door of the café between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm, and staff there will help students shop on a first come, first served basis.

In addition to assistance with food, toiletries, and career clothing, the staff of The Grocery can assist students with information on their local food banks, applying for SNAP benefits, and MMC resources such as counseling services and limited transportation emergencies.