Vincent Contrucci, director of community engagement at Quinnipiac, said the students were happy to donate their nonperishable food and extra meal plan points before leaving for the summer. University staff placed 172 collection boxes in residence halls on the Mount Carmel and York Hill campuses for the food drive.

“The food drive has had a tremendous impact on our community and illustrates the generosity of spirit of our student body and their desire to respond to the pressing needs of our community and country,” Contrucci said.

The estimated 2 1/2 tons of food was donated to the Columbus House of New Haven, Hamden Food Bank, Master’s Manna of Wallingford, the New Haven Pride Center, New Reach of New Haven and Quinnipiac University's Bobcat Food Share program.

New Reach picked up its food donation on Wednesday afternoon.

“A lot of people are struggling in the community right now so having more food to provide to our clients is really important,” said Joanne Sciulli, director of New Reach. “Sometimes people have to decide, ‘Do we pay our rent, or do we buy food?’ So having food to supplement is an incredible opportunity.”

The organization inspires independence for all people affected by homelessness and poverty through a continuum of housing and support.

“Food insecurity is not an abstract idea,” Sciulli added. “It is local. It is happening all over Greater New Haven, all over the Shoreline and all over Greater Bridgeport. It is real. It is families having to make hard choices.”