Chartwells: More than the Dining Hall

By: Ashley Kurz, Managing Editor 

Chartwells, as a company, has focused their efforts on the food locations available aside from the dining halls on the campuses they work with. Dealing and aiding with student food security has been a major factor in how they perform. In 2023, Chartwells renewed their contract with Canisius University; this contract built in the current sustainability initiative. Janet Elis, director of dining services, discussed the importance of sustainability on campus since her return to Canisius in 2023, which is when they started working with Petey’s Pantry. The students she works with donate their time to fill the shelves for students, specifically communication with Kira Rodriguez, a student volunteer, has aided in the process. This has been the biggest year yet for Chartwells, with weekly orders going to Petey’s Pantry. Elis also works with Jason Francey, Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Development (SELD) and Mike Yates, Dean of Students, to make all of this possible. 

The process they have now is the preparation of sandwiches, mac and cheese cups and ramen availability, for example. They moved from a more snack-oriented inventory to meals for students that they wouldn’t have to ‘cook.’ Elis mentioned that they wanted students to be able to take the food back to their dorms and be able to easily prepare it if necessary. In a recent discussion with Yates, they decided to “ramp up what they’re bringing in.” Some of this is in connection with the government SNAP benefits being withheld, which affects students here at Canisius. Elis explained that Chartwells has been following the university’s lead and their response to the food insecurity crisis. Within their contract is a yearly food donation to Canisius for food insecurity, another initiative pushed by the university. This is a common practice for Chartwells and the schools they provide services for, but the partnership with Canisius and their push for sustainable food insecurity practices aids in the process.

There has been an incline in student usage of the pantry seen this semester by the student volunteers. It works on a ‘needs basis’ for students, and Chartwells plans to support them through to May. Elis explained that Chartwells, as a company, “is very big on sustainability, food insecurity, partnerships with the university and students. We’re here to feed the students.” Working with food insecurity on campus is a key factor to their business practice: “we don’t want kids to be hungry.” Instead of it being an issue that many students across the country have to deal with on their own, Chartwells makes it a common practice. 

Elis mentioned that she has worked with the sustainability department as well, and the expectation of her being able to deliver on food insecurity aid. They have been paying much more attention to their relationship with Petey’s Pantry this year, especially with the open line of communication from Rodriguez. There are plans to keep their work going over winter break, this being with the help of Yates, which they are actively working on. During the holidays, Chartwells has been known to make donations to many of the local charities in Buffalo but this year the necessity is on-campus rather than off. Therefore, donations are going to be focused on Canisius students, specifically those who stay here over the winter. The connection with Petey’s Pantry and the work going towards helping the students here on campus is Elis’ priority, being a “huge part of [her] day, every day.”

Some of the students volunteering at Petey’s Pantry are Kira Rodriguez, Caitlyn-Rose Bompart-Libert and Lani Kegler. Students are allowed up to five items for each day, and the pantry has fruit cups, V8 drinks, tampons and pads, amongst other things. Janet Elis is open to questions and conversation with students; her email is janet.elis@campass-usa.com. Questions can also be directed to Mike Yates at yatesm@canisius.edu.