ASI Cougar Pantry

In spring 2016, the American College Health Association conducted a National College Health Assessment survey and found that, on our campus, 50% of students who responded to the survey reported dealing with food insecurity issues. Food insecurity means that impacted students have limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods. This can have negative effects on their academic achievements and abilities.

As the student voice and representation on campus, ASI knew that we had to do something to help to address this issue. We introduced an on-campus food pantry for currently enrolled students, called the Cougar Pantry. In preparation of the pantry’s opening, we started a campaign, Bite Out Hunger, to educate the campus community about food insecurity as well as ask for our campus partners’ help in combating this issue. Together, our CSUSM community donated almost 600 pounds of food to get the pantry started!

The Cougar Pantry opened its doors in the University Student Union in fall 2017. Each currently enrolled CSUSM student can visit the pantry once a week. The pantry stocks a variety of dry and canned goods, limited produce, milk and toiletries, and is managed by a team of students, interns, volunteers and staff that work tirelessly to make sure our students don't go hungry. This is a multiphase initiative for ASI, and we’d love your support! Our current pantry is a temporary home. With a maximum capacity of five students and a line out the door nearly all day long, we often serve over 150 students in a day.

In addition to the ASI Cougar Pantry, we will continue to work with campus partners to build systems of support for students in need. Food insecurity is merely a symptom of a much larger issue, so we will continue to focus on advocacy efforts both on and off campus.

*Match or Challenge gifts not reflected in fundraising thermometer. Learn more about our match and challenges.