27 May Fueling Finals Together: The Pantry, Kaiser Permanente and Basic Needs Services Share the Care
- The ASI Food Pantry held a “Finals Snack & Go” pop-up on May 7, 2025.
- The event was made possible with the help of Kaiser Permanente and Basic Needs Services.
Associated Students Inc. (ASI) Food Pantry hosted its final pop-up of the semester, a “Finals Snack & Go” event on May 7 at Cal State Fullerton for students to stock up on free snacks to prepare for the final few weeks of the semester.
The pop-up was made possible by a generous $75,000 grant from Kaiser Foundation Hospitals to support the Pantry’s goals and annual events.
After receiving the grant in October 2024, Pantry officials used part of the funds to purchase refrigerated lockers for patrons to store their groceries while they are on campus. The remaining funds supported additional events, including the “Finals Snack & Go” event, aimed at reducing food insecurity for students during the final weeks of the semester.
“We’re always looking for grants and opportunities to receive more funding that will go directly to students,” said Cristina Truong, ASI associate director of Titan Student Union Programs & Food Pantry. “We use these funds to purchase food and help fund events like Finals Snack & Go. It takes a lot of money and a lot of time and effort to put a pop-up together.”
Finals Snack & Go volunteers pose in front of some of the food offering available for students. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
“Finals Snack & Go” allowed CSUF students to check in and grab a variety of items that ranged from fresh fruit and snack bars to cans of soup and juice to keep them fueled up for their finals.
“There was so much variety; I didn’t think I’d get this much stuff,” said Maxine Dizon, a second-year accounting major. “I like how much you could take.”
Pantry officials aimed to provide 300 students with free snacks, but “Finals Snack & Go” exceeded their expectations and helped 404 Titans get stocked up on their finals treats. Even with a long line of students waiting for snacks, the event lasted the full intended 90 minutes without running out of food.
“It’s enough to fuel me through all my study breaks” said Rae Slaughter, a third-year business major. “Food is fuel. Your brain is going to remember and learn better if you’re well-nourished and well fed.”
Basic Needs Services had their own table set up to offer students resources. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications, & Design
Although the Pantry hosted “Finals Snack & Go”, it would not have been possible without the support of Basic Needs Services, which was also on site to share information and resources such as CalFresh, free hygiene products and Tuffy’s Career Closet.
“When you’re busy and stressed, you might not consider what resources are available to you,” says Hang Nyugen, a fourth-year business administration major working with Basic Needs Services. “When you’re stressed and overwhelmed, students might think they’re alone in this. It’s best when we collaborate and share our services with the Pantry.”
Continued support from partners like Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Basic Needs Services ensures the Pantry can offer all CSUF students with the essential resources to maintain their well-being, even during the most demanding times.
To learn more information and access their various resources, visit the Basic Needs Service website.
To learn more about the Pantry, visit the ASI website.