11 Dec Combating Food Insecurity, One ASI Pop-up Pantry at a Time
According to a 2018 report, 41.8% of California State University students face food insecurity. To help combat these issues, the Associated Students Inc. (ASI) Food Pantry hosted its semesterly Pop-up Pantry event on Nov. 20 and 21 on Cal State Fullerton’s Central Quad.
Students could grab a number of grocery items after completing a simple QR scan and check-in form. Grocery items ranged from fresh produce like potatoes and onions to canned vegetables and snacks to take home. Students could also sample two recipes they could make with simple ingredients from the Pantry that volunteers helped cook. After grabbing their items, Titans were welcome to decorate a reusable bag they could use when visiting the Pantry in the Titan Student Union (TSU) on campus.
“The pop-up Food Pantry is a vital service for students, providing convenient access to food and resources during times of need while also raising awareness about the Pantry’s availability on campus,” said Talia Rodriguez, ASI Food Pantry Coordinator.
The two pop-up pantries helped a total of 300 students within a span of two hours— one hour each day until they ran out of food to give. The event surpassed the spring pop-up’s success, where 118 students were helped.
Community Comes Together
ASI employees hand out different grocery items to event participants. / Credit: ASICSUF Flickr
While this event highlighted the Pantry, it was only possible with the planning and help from the campus and local community. Titan Recreation, TitanWell and Basic Needs Services welcomed Titans and provided different resources for students. These resources included food recipes, how to sign up for food aids and how to stay active, with the overall goal of helping students develop healthier and more affordable lifestyles.
“This event is a great opportunity to connect and promote the wonderful resources at CSUF,” said Gavin Ong, ASI Board of Directors chair. “It’s a great way to allow students to see what’s offered and to mitigate the stigma associated with food pantries.”
The Pop-up Pantry was also made possible thanks to Grocery Outlet of Placentia. Their generosity covered the cost of half the food distributed. More than 200 pounds of potatoes and onions were given out, along with 300 packages of pasta, pasta sauce, cans of green beans, pretzel snacks and bottles of juice. The Pop-up Pantry would not have been possible without all the support of both campus and community partners.
From Our Pantry to Yours
ASI Marketing Associate Director Michael Fratino volunteers at the pop-up pantry. / Credit: ASICSUF Flickr
The Pop-up Pantry existed before campus established a permanent food pantry. In 2018, CSUF began offering monthly food pantry pop-ups in front of the TSU. ASI preserved the tradition of a mobile food pantry even once a permanent food pantry was established in 2021. The monthly mobile pantry turned into a once-a-semester event to inform students about the existence and benefits of the Pantry.
“Everyone is welcome. Everyone can access free, healthy food. Not every student realizes that the school has a food pantry, or how to use its services,” said Ong.
While the Pop-up Pantry happens every semester, Titans don’t need to wait to access the free food and resources the Pantry offers. Students can make an appointment to visit the Pantry through PantrySoft or visit during their walk-in hours on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for help on a first-come, first-served basis. The Pantry offers students access to a variety of grocery items; ranging from fresh produce and canned goods to snacks and ready to eat meals that just need to be heated up. Last year, the Pantry gave out over 154,600 pounds of food to over 7,500 students, but there is always the hope to grow, expand and help even more students than before.
Empowering Students, One Meal at a Time
“Students can ensure they have access to meals and snacks, which helps alleviate stress and allows them to focus on their studies and well-being,” Rodriguez said.
Regardless of the financial situation students might be facing, the ASI Food Pantry is always welcoming Titans with open arms. This free resource allows students of all demographic and financial backgrounds to make weekly appointments and grab several food items to take home.
With support from services like the Pantry, the 41.8% of students facing food insecurity could eventually be reduced to zero.