The outpouring of support from community members for Stony Brook Medicine has been profound. In response, Stony Brook University Hospital launched a Meal Train platform in early April, and contributions have now exceeded 10,000 meals and snacks that have been donated and distributed.

“I think I can speak for everyone,” said Kevin Daly, Catering Manager at Stony Brook Medicine, “when I give a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all who have contributed.”

The Meal Train system makes donating food to the workers and medical staff safer, easier, and more time-efficient.

“When a friend is in need, everyone asks, ‘What can I do to help?’ The answer is always to provide support through a meal,” said Daly. By using MealTrain.com, the donor picks a day, pledges a donation for a meal, and orders it through a restaurant of their choice. The food is then delivered. This benefits local restaurants as well, which have been hit hard during this crisis. 

Stony Brook Hospital is at the center of this pandemic for the greater Long Island community. Donating food lets our essential workers know their community stands by them and recognizes the hard work they are doing.

Donations are being accepted for the month of December. For more information, please go to Donate via Meal Train.

Stony Brook University collected over 112,506 lbs. of e-waste throughout RecycleMania, earning its place as the winner of the competition in that category, for total amount recycled. The e-waste collected is the trash generated from surplus, broken, and obsolete electronic devices such as cellphones and computers.

“It’s easier to trash an old TV rather than process it to be recycled. So taking the top spot in the electronic waste category is especially satisfying as it once again shows that Seawolves always strive to do the right thing, even when it may be difficult to do,” stated Dean Tufts, Vice President for Facilities and Services.

Recycling e-waste reuses parts and materials while preventing components from ending up in landfills where they can contaminate water, soil and air. “Under the leadership of our Recycling and Resource Management, Property Control, Stony Brook Medicine, and the Faculty Student Association, it’s so rewarding to be a part of a campus community that cares enough to take action,” affirmed Tufts.

Stony Brook University was a leader in other areas of the competition, including being in the top 15% of colleges and universities nationwide for both the Food Organics and Per Capita Classic categories.

Read the full story: SBU is First Place Winner in E-Waste Category of RecycleMania Competition | | SBU 

Stony Brook Child Care Services Steps Up to Assist Frontline Workers

When New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York State on PAUSE executive order, providing guidelines on which businesses could remain open during the coronavirus pandemic, child care was deemed an essential service. Ensuring support for the families of frontline workers was a critical goal.

Although child care centers were not required to remain open, Stony Brook Child Care Services (SBCC) rose to the occasion in response to a special request from the Office of the Governor.

To provide essential services during the pandemic, a business must comply with Department of Health guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment. Before it could accept children during the pandemic, SBCC closed for two days for a deep cleaning then reopened to currently enrolled families with essential workers. 

SBCC provides more than child care services as such, Mendelsohn said.  “During this pandemic crisis, SBCC teachers offer parents and their children a sense of safety, learning, support, and a touch of comfort.”  

It is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), an organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through the age of eight, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. SBCC earned NAEYC accreditation in 1990 and recently was accredited for another five-year term.

Even parents who are not using SBCC at this time are grateful to know it’s there in the event of changing circumstances.

Read the full article: Caring Through the Crisis