The Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project (YHHAP) is one of Dwight Hall’s oldest member groups, with fifty years of experience serving under-resourced communities in New Haven. Its 300+ volunteers and dedicated donors support ten projects focused on two goals: providing food security and expanding access to economic resources for New Haven residents.
According to the YHHAP website, “Twenty-two percent of New Haven residents are food insecure… one in four residents live below the poverty line [and] 500,000 Connecticut residents rely on SNAP assistance.” YHHAP’s Co-Directors, Jaeyee Jung ’27 and Alison Lee ’27, oversee the organization’s service projects and coordinate with local nonprofits that support those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and resource scarcity. “[YHHAP] is a very accessible way for students to think critically about Yale’s role in the New Haven community and to bridge Yale’s resources,” explained Alison.
One of YHHAP’s ten projects, Kitchen to Kitchen, aims to bridge the gap between the Yale bubble and the broader New Haven community by delivering surplus dining hall food to the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, a nonprofit serving individuals living in poverty or experiencing homelessness. Similarly, the Food Rescue Project partners with local New Haven restaurants, “saving on average 100 pounds [of food] every week.” Instead of becoming waste, this food is redirected to local soup kitchens.
Another of YHHAP’s largest initiatives, the YHHAP Fast, mobilizes Yalies to fight hunger: “Over 50% of the Yale student body donates their Yale Dining meal swipes for the day.” On this day, students eat out to support local restaurants, while the monetary value of the donated swipes goes toward organizations combating food insecurity. This year, there will be only one Fast on March 6, 2026, so participation is especially crucial.
The Dwight Hall Community Fridge project also supports YHHAP’s food security mission. Located at 50 Howe Street in the New Haven YMCA Youth Center, the fridge operates under a “take what you need, leave what you can” system. “On any given day, the fridge is full of fresh produce, prepared meals, bottles of water, milk, frozen foods, bakery items, eggs, bread, grab-and-go snacks, [and] cereal.” Anyone in need of food can take items, supported by community members who donate to keep the fridge stocked.
YHHAP also makes economic resources available to those in need. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) connects low-to-moderate income individuals to significant need and trained volunteers who help them file their taxes. Founded by the IRS in 1971, VITA at Yale is “one of the most active and dedicated VITA centers in the New Haven region.” So far this year, VITA has seen 1,248 clients and secured $1,263,121 worth of refunds for their clients.
No Closed Doors is another YHHAP project that aids New Haven residents. “[W]e receive a steady flow of clients looking for assistance with [needs] ranging from navigating the internet to filling out job applications to writing resumes and cover letters.” Another initiative, Common Closet, provides gently used clothing to those who need them.
YHHAP is excited to continue its work this semester and is looking forward to providing food to those in need during this holiday season. Every Thanksgiving, Christian Community Action, a nonprofit with which YHHAP partners, holds a turkey drive. For Hunger and Homelessness Week, the week before the Harvard-Yale game, Jaeyee and Alison are planning a fundraiser to support the holiday food giveaway. Recently, with the change of seasons, YHHAP distributed winter essentials to the community. “We received [a large shipment of] beanies from a generous donor and were able to distribute those to shelters in need,” shared Jaeyee.
“The first step [to serve the community] is really educating yourself in the history between Yale and New Haven,” explained Allison. “People talk about the Yale bubble; it’s physical … [V]olunteering has helped me, at least, to get a better sense of New Haven as a whole,” added Jaeyee.
YHHAP is emblematic of the Engage pillar of Dwight Hall’s Engage, Grow, and Advance program delivery model, forging trusted partnerships with New Haven organizations through community-engaged service.
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