Common Goods at Westfield State

What is Common Goods? Common Goods is a food pantry serving Westfield State University students, faculty and staff who may be experiencing hunger and are struggling to make ends meet. Through Common Goods, we strive to alleviate food insecurity for Westfield State students while they work toward completing their education, as well as for any members of the Westfield State community who are in need of help providing for themselves and their families. Common Goods provides a safe and welcoming space in which to distribute a variety of nutritious non-perishable, fresh and frozen food items and basic necessities at no cost.
Where is Common Goods located?
Common Goods is a very short walk from the main campus.

It's housed in the Second Congregational Church, 487 Western Avenue, adjacent to the entrance to the Commuter Parking Lot.
Enter through the far right door at the end of the side wing of the church. Go upstairs to the second floor.
Note: The food pantry is located on the second floor and there is no elevator access. Accommodations can be made to deliver goods to persons who are unable to walk up the flight of stairs.
How does it work?
Common Goods strives to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental, and safe environment. It is an “open shelf” pantry. Participants may choose what kinds and what quantities of items they need, and may visit the food pantry as many times as they wish.

Visitors will complete a brief intake form (to be filled out only once per semester).

Visitors may also fill out an optional survey of preferences of food items and basic necessities so that we can build a supply that will best meet the needs of the community.
How the community can help
Food insecurity is an increasing problem on college campuses, both locally and nationally. Common Goods was initiated by the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center at Westfield State University in response to the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Challenge to address the issue of hunger. Westfield State’s neighbor, the Second Congregational Church, generously houses the pantry. No religious affiliation is required for individuals to access the food pantry. Click here for a list of suggested donations.

Common Goods invites the support of the campus community to sustain the operation of the pantry. Non-perishable food items and basic necessity donations can be left in designated bins across campus:

Horace Mann Center (Main Lobby)
Wilson Hall (Commuter’s Common Area)
Parenzo Hall (near TRiO, first floor)
Ely Campus Center (Campus Center Service Window and Diversity/Inclusion Offices)
Albert & Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center
Sponsorship of food drives is welcome. Contact commongoods@westfield.ma.edu to collaborate.

Community Partners
Common Goods is made possible by the generous support of:

Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center, Chaplains' Council, Interfaith Council
Fostering Student Success Initiative
St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary’s Parish, Westfield
UCC Second Congregational Church
Sodexo
TRiO Student Support Services Program
Henry Wefing Community Garden
Westfield Foundation
Westfield State University