25 Sep Feeding Student Success: $40K Kaiser Permanente and $50K Second Harvest Food Bank Donations Expand Food Access at CSUF
By Karla Garcia
The Cal State Fullerton Associated Students Inc. Food Pantry has received a $40,000 donation from Kaiser Permanente Foundation Hospitals and a $50,000 donation from Second Harvest Food Bank through the CSUF Philanthropic Foundation, directly supporting campus programs built to address rising food insecurity among college students.
Kaiser Permanente’s donation will support The Pantry’s “Snack To-Go,” “Pop-Up Pantry” and “Finals Snack & Go” events, as well as the “Holiday Food Box” program. Each of these programs is designed to expand outreach efforts to different areas of campus, bringing resources directly to students who may not be familiar with The Pantry’s services.
“Our partnership with Kaiser started with an invitation to apply for a grant three years ago,” said Aaron Tapper, ASI assistant director of Strategic Initiatives. “They saw what the first grant made possible for students and invited us to apply again. Now we’re on our third grant, and we’re excited to keep building on that success.”
Second Harvest Food Bank has also supported The Pantry for several years through programs such as Grocery Rescue, which helps recover food from local grocery stores to bring it directly to The Pantry. The Grocery Rescue Capacity Building Grant will help fund a part-time staff position for the Grocery Rescue program, and equipment such as an additional freezer, thermometers, thermal blankets and an industrial scale.
“Grocery Rescue has become an important part of our operations because it allows us to bring in additional fresh and perishable food for students while also helping reduce food waste in the community,” said Cristina Truong, director of the Food Pantry and Future Basic Needs Hub. “What is especially meaningful about this grant is that it supports both the people and the infrastructure needed to grow the program.”
A 2025 UCLA Center for Health Policy Research study found that more than half of college students experienced food insecurity, with 28% reporting they skipped meals because they could not afford food. Through semesterly events and expanded outreach efforts, The Pantry works to address these challenges at CSUF by making food resources more accessible to students across campus.
The Pantry’s mission directly aligns with the ASI Student Wellness Initiative, a comprehensive multi-year plan approved in 2025 built to support student wellness through increased funding for scholarships, campus social events and wellness spaces.
“ASI’s Student Wellness Initiative has helped us look at student wellbeing more holistically and recognize that food security is an important part of a student’s overall wellness and success,” said Truong. “When students are worried about where their next meal is coming from, it can affect their ability to focus in class, stay engaged, and fully participate in their college experience.”
Along with providing students with free groceries, The Pantry also partners with CSUF’s Basic Needs Services, TitanWELL and Cooking Healthy & Optimal Movement Promotion (CHOMP) throughout the year to bring students hands-on wellness education through events like “Cook & Connect,” a cooking workshop series designed to teach students how to prepare healthy and affordable meals using ingredients available in The Pantry.
“Addressing food insecurity takes collaboration and these partnerships help us find new ways to connect with students, reduce barriers to accessing support and make sure students know where they can turn when they need assistance,” said Truong.
Donations to The Pantry play a crucial role in supporting access to basic needs, reducing the stigma of financial hardship among college students.
“Our hope is that these events not only help meet an immediate need, but also remind students that they are supported, that they belong here, and that there are people and resources on campus ready to help them succeed,” said Truong. “We are incredibly grateful to Kaiser and Second Harvest for continuing to invest in our students.”
CSUF students can access The Pantry’s resources on the ASI Food Pantry webpage and book a free appointment, available to all enrolled students on campus.