Johannes Richter ‘27 Honored with Youth Champion Award by Food Bank of Central New York

The Dean of Students is proud to announce that Johannes Richter ‘27, Student Manager of the CU Pantry, was awarded the prestigious Youth Champion Award at Food Bank of Central New York’s (FBCNY) Annual Conference last month in Syracuse, NY. This recognition, part of FBCNY’s Hunger Hero Awards, celebrates individuals making a significant impact in their communities by fighting food insecurity. Richter received the award for his dedication to improving food access for students and raising awareness around hunger on college campuses.

A group of six people stand in front of a Food Bank of Central New York backdrop. One person in the center holds a transparent award shaped like an apple, a nod to Food Bank of Central New York’s logo.

At the conference, Richter hosted a presentation about the importance of youth involvement in combating food insecurity. His work has not only provided much-needed support to students through the CU Pantry but also highlighted the crucial role young leaders play in addressing hunger and fostering community resilience.

Amalia Swan, Chief Community Impact Officer at FBCNY, notes that “unsung heroes dedicate their time and efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity [in every community]. ‘Hunger Heroes’ is our heartfelt recognition to honor and celebrate these extraordinary individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference.” Swan describes the Youth Champion as a 16-25 year old who “embodies the spirit of service to the community, specifically in the fight against hunger.”

When describing the award committee’s selection of Richter as the Youth Champion, Swan proudly indicated “Johannes is a shining example of a Hunger Hero. [He] has demonstrated ingenuity, compassion, understanding, and a scholarly approach to fighting hunger in his community, making him the embodiment of a true Hunger Hero.”

Richter’s journey to fighting food insecurity began at the P2 Food Pantry at Potsdam High School, where he first learned about the prominence of food insecurity in St. Lawrence County. Richter joined the Clarkson community through The Clarkson School and promptly contacted the Dean of Students to continue his work at Clarkson. Since becoming the CU Pantry’s Student Manager, Richter has built partnerships and created impactful initiatives to address food insecurity for Clarkson students.

“Working with Johannes on two food pantry projects, first at the Potsdam P2 Food Pantry and then at the [CU Pantry] was a pure delight!” said St. Lawrence Health Initiative Community Coordinator Karen Bage. Through Richter’s work, St. Lawrence Health Initiative graciously funded $1,500 in supplies and equipment for the CU Pantry. “Johannes is clearly devoted to improving the well-being of others in his community and tackles large problems in a thoughtful, systematic, and professional manner. Johannes is wise beyond his years—the future is bright because of his dedication and honorable work!”

Dean of Students Kelsey Pearson praised Richter’s dedication, highlighting the CU Pantry’s impressive impact this semester. “Johannes and I met during an Accepted Students Day before he became a Clarkson student. We agreed to connect that fall to learn about his experience and what could be possible at Clarkson. I am incredibly humbled by the work Johannes has done for the CU Pantry, which has been instrumental in ensuring students have access to essential resources. His commitment to tackling food insecurity is inspiring.” Through Richter’s leadership, the CU Pantry became a Partner Agency for FBCNY in Summer 2024, which has led to the availability of over 13,000 pounds of food and personal care products for students this semester.

Jody Nicholas, Assistant to the Dean of Students, shared admiration for Richter’s compassion. “With a heart full of kindness, Johannes devotes his time and effort to the CU Pantry, a vital resource for those in need within our student community. By actively engaging in various activities such as organizing panel discussions, assisting with partnering the University with Food Bank of Central New York, and raising awareness about food insecurity on college campuses, he translates his compassion into meaningful action.”

The Office of the Dean of Students proudly congratulates Richter on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to the continued impact he will make both within the Clarkson community and beyond. Richter’s work exemplifies Clarkson’s values of service and caring, inspiring others to join in addressing food insecurity and improving the lives of those in need.

The CU Pantry welcomes volunteers to assist with hands-on support of unloading and organizing products and product distribution on delivery days. This is a great way to directly impact food security on campus while building community connections. Interested parties should contact deanofstudents@clarkson.edu for more information. Anyone interested in supporting the CU Pantry financially can make a donation through the University’s Online Giving Form by selecting “other” and specifying “CU Pantry” as the designation.

The CU Pantry is available to any student in need of food or hygiene products. Located in Price 1003, the Pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students are encouraged to stop by to access essential items in a supportive, welcoming environment. The CU Pantry’s mission is to ensure that all students have reliable access to food and personal care products, helping them focus on their academic and personal growth without the added worry of food insecurity.

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