How One Columbia Employee Helps Support Local Nonprofits at Work and Through Giving
Since 2007, Yesenia Acevedo has supported CCS through payroll deduction, all while helping lead a University dining initiative that has donated $42,000 to local nonprofits since 2019.
For nearly two decades, Yesenia Acevedo has found meaningful ways to give back to the communities surrounding Columbia University.
A 32-year University employee and Director of Finance for Dining and University Events Management, Acevedo began supporting Columbia Community Service (CCS) in 2007 through payroll deduction, which allows employees to pledge a yearly donation that is divided across tax-exempt deductions from their paychecks.
“Once I signed up for payroll deduction, I just never stopped,” Acevedo said. “It was that easy.”
For Acevedo, enrolling was seamless and she knew her contributions would support local organizations providing vital services across the Uptown community.
Over time, her commitment to community impact expanded even further through her work with the university’s Blue Menu program, an initiative that pairs locally sourced food with charitable giving through CCS.
Together, these two efforts reflect the many ways Columbia employees contribute to the well-being of Harlem, Morningside Heights, and beyond.
How Yesenia’s Career Led Here
Born and raised in the Bronx and having lived there before moving to Long Island, Acevedo considers herself a member of the local community. Today, in her work at Columbia, Acevedo’s role reflects a career built on operational expertise and collaboration.
After starting in Dining Services in 1994, she transitioned into payroll administration, eventually overseeing financial operations for Dining and University Events Management. When the Blue Menu program launched in 2019, she became a key member of the team responsible for managing its financial contributions to CCS.
Her role ensures that funds generated through the program are transferred to CCS, where they ultimately support nonprofit partners across the community.
How the Blue Menu Program Works and Its Impact
Blue Menu extends the spirit of giving to Columbia University events. When a Columbia department chooses the Blue Menu option for catering, $5 per guest is donated to Columbia Community Service, with Columbia Event Management matching the contribution with another $5 per person.
For example, if an event hosts 40 attendees, the program generates $400 in donations to CCS. Those funds are then transferred to CCS—often by Acevedo herself—and ultimately distributed to nonprofit partners such as NY Common Pantry and West Side Campaign Against Hunger.
Since launching in 2019, the Blue Menu program has contributed more than $42,000 to Columbia Community Service.
The seasonally rotating menu also emphasizes local sourcing. Farms and producers featured in the program include:
- Satur Farms (Long Island, NY)
- Lancaster Farm Fresh (Lancaster County, PA)
- Murray’s Chicken (South Fallsburg, NY)
- Norwich Meadows Farm (NY)
- Red Jacket Orchards (Geneva, NY)
- Ronnybrook Farm Dairy (Ancramdale, NY)
The Blue Menu is available for Lerner Hall, Low Library, and Faculty House events. You can learn more and request the program for your next event by emailing [email protected].
Since launching in 2019, the Blue Menu program has contributed more than $42,000 to Columbia Community Service. Every single dollar of that money goes directly to nonprofit grantees in Harlem and Morningside Heights doing critical work combatting hunger, providing social services, supporting the arts, and offering educational enrichment for youth.
This year alone, the initiative has already generated $3,600 in contributions.
The Power of Collaboration
Throughout her work, Acevedo credits the collaboration between University departments and community partners for making these efforts possible.
She also highlights the leadership of Joan Griffith-Lee, Director of Columbia Community Service, and the many faculty and staff members who contribute through the annual appeal. Together, those contributions large and small help sustain programs serving thousands of community members each year.
When she’s not supporting Blue Menu or the University’s dining operations, Acevedo can often be found volunteering at campus traditions like the Battle of the Dining Halls or helping during Commencement and other campus events.
For Acevedo, giving back has become a natural part of her Columbia career and a reflection of the New York she has long called home.
Consider a Gift to CCS Through Payroll Deduction
Faculty and staff can support Columbia Community Service through payroll deduction by pledging a total annual gift that is automatically divided across their paychecks from January through December. It’s a simple way to make a steady impact, helping fund grants for nonprofit organizations serving Harlem, Morningside Heights, and surrounding neighborhoods. You can also consider giving a one-time donation by credit card.