51����

As the season of giving approaches, 51����'s Mav Market serves as an important reminder that small acts of support can make a meaningful difference in students' lives. Led by Matthew Pangburn, Mercy's Basic Needs Manager, the food pantry provides free groceries and essential resources to students across the University's campuses, helping ensure they have what they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Since joining Mercy, Pangburn has worked to expand awareness of food insecurity, connect students with critical resources and foster a welcoming environment where seeking support is encouraged, not stigmatized. Whether stocking pantry shelves, hosting farmers markets or developing new initiatives to increase access to fresh food, his work reflects the spirit of community and generosity that defines this time of year and Mercy's commitment to student success.

Q&A

What drew you to the field you work in and what led you to work in higher education?

I started working at my campus food pantry through the federal work-study program as a freshman at Binghamton University. Through the pandemic and my growth at the pantry from intern to supervisor, I saw how much of a difference I could make in people’s lives and how higher education could lead the way in food justice. I decided to pursue my master's in student affairs/higher education, where I was lucky enough to grow our pantry into a fully student-run model and expand our internship program—working with over 100 students who learned about food insecurity while earning credits and making an impact.

What does working at Mercy mean to you?

Working at Mercy means access. As a first-generation student who attended a public university and graduated with substantial debt, I am committed to supporting students toward high-impact careers with minimal financial burden. Building strong, local communities is essential, and I see my work at Mercy as directly advancing that goal.

What’s the most rewarding or most challenging part of your role that most people don’t realize?

The most rewarding part is my relationship with the students. As a fairly recent graduate, it’s easy for me to relate to the time constraints and pressures students face. The conversations I have with students as they shop—talking about life, culture, family, and food—have built a genuine community that is the biggest gift of this work and keeps me energized every day.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your professional career?

Seeing students grow from their freshman to senior year and hearing them share the positive impact basic needs support had on their journey is something I proudly share with them. Second to that was co-authoring a published article on community college students experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. I loved the research, data analysis, and writing process, and I look forward to doing more in the future.

What upcoming projects, research, or initiatives are you excited about?

I’m a nerd at heart, so I’m always researching ways to improve operations and build sustainable programs. This fall, I’ll be working on a grant-funded project through Swipe Out Hunger to launch indoor hydroponic growing towers. These towers will grow fresh produce—from greens and herbs to peppers—right on campus, completely free for students.

Share a favorite 51���� memory.

My favorite Mercy memory has to be hosting the Mav’s Farmers Markets on the Bronx campus last year. Those events were so fun to put together and the support that we received after from students, staff, faculty, and admin was so rewarding. I love working with students to bring culturally-relevant foods to campus that we otherwise wouldn’t have.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a freshman student about beginning their first day at 51����?

Embrace the uncomfortable. Everything feels unfamiliar when you first start. Push through that initial discomfort and lean into curiosity. Ask yourself what steps will get you where you want to go, and never hesitate to ask for help—it’s a sign of courage, not weakness.

Do you have any hidden talents your colleagues at Mercy might be surprised to learn about?

It’s not much of a secret because I talk about it constantly, but I love karaoke! It’s my go-to way to decompress and celebrate any occasion.

If you were to pursue a different career path outside of education, which field could you see yourself working in, and why?

In a world free of traditional careers, I’d live and work on a small farm upstate where I grew up—raising animals, growing produce, and feeding my community.

If your life was a movie, what would the opening credits song be?

"Conceited" by Remy Ma

What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on, with no preparation whatsoever?

Season 8, Episode 9 of The Real Housewives of New York City, “December: Berkshires County”

Looking ahead, what are you most looking forward to and why?

I am really looking forward to hiring an intern for the spring semester! The internship program that is being facilitated through the Office of Career and Professional Development is one of the best tools to come out of higher ed practice recently and it’s such a good opportunity to connect students to meaningful experiences while in school. My hope is to hire a food literacy intern to develop more education on healthy eating, dorm-cooking, and nutrition for students here at Mercy. 

What are the key responsibilities of your department?

Ensuring all members of the Mercy community have access to resources that support their basic needs. Beyond direct support, our office works to educate the community on food insecurity and destigmatize conversations around food access.

What does a typical day look like for your team?

One of the great things about my position is that I get to work on every campus, so every day is a new day. But typically, I come into work, check out the pantry and see what items are out of stock, I’ll catch up with the students who work at the Mav Market and we’ll either receive an order from one of the many suppliers we have, or place an order for later in the week. Throughout my day I’ll have meetings with students to help them navigate public benefits or community resources, host events on campus like our Mav’s Farmers Market or do research on how other schools run their food pantries and support student’s basic needs. 

What are the most common questions your department receives?

One of the most common questions we get is: is this all really free? And my answer is always: Yes! It is. 

Many people still don’t know that Mercy offers a food pantry to its students, and part of my job is to normalize the conversation around food insecurity and college students so that as a community we understand that this affects everyone, even if you’re not facing an immediate crisis, food access is an issue we should all care about.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your department?

You don’t have to be in an extreme crisis to access help. Society has long normalized the trope of college students surviving on ramen and instant coffee, leading students to believe others are always "more deserving." Food is a basic human right, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure everyone is nourished.

Who should faculty, staff, or students contact for assistance?

Any student, faculty, or staff can reach me at mavmarket@mercy.edu. All the information about my office, services, and community partners can be found on my website: mercy.edu/mavmarket.

What’s a favorite quotation that you’d offer to fellow members of the Mercy community? 

I am continually inspired by a quotation from Frances Moore Lappé on hope. She says, “For me hope isn’t wishful thinking or blind faith about the future. It’s a stance toward life – one of curiosity and humility.” I try my best every day at work to remain curious and humble enough to learn everything that life has to offer us, and to continue our struggle towards justice for all. 

Do you have a fun fact or little-known insight about your office or department?

Last year we distributed over 25,000 pounds of food across all three campuses!