HEALTHY PARTNERSHIP Members of the student body and university administration celebrate the opening of the Triton Food Pantry .
ANYONE WHO ' S BEEN TO COLLEGE knows what it means to save money on food . ( Top Ramen , anyone ?) Yet food insecurity , when it ’ s a day-today reality and not just a budget-saving measure , is happening at college campuses around the country , including UC San Diego .
According to a University of California survey , about 23 percent of UC students experienced low food security and another 19 percent were experiencing very low food security . UC San Diego and its student body have responded to this widespread concern by opening the Triton Food Pantry , offering free food for students in need of discreet assistance .
“ A food pantry on campus will provide needed relief to some students who may not have nutritious and varied food options on a daily basis . It will help ensure the academic success of students of all backgrounds ,” says Sharon Van Bruggen , director of University Centers .
Located on the first floor of the original student center , the Triton Food Pantry is part of a network of resources on campus — including need-based aid and emergency loans — created for students who may be faced with unforeseen financial circumstances . All registered undergraduate and graduate students with a valid UC San Diego identification card can confidentially pick up free groceries whenever necessary . “ Every student gets 10 points per week and one visit per week ,” explains Muir College student Lesly Figueroa ’ 18 , one of the pantry ’ s managers . “ Within that visit , they are able to use up to 10 points with whatever food is here , and every item has a different value .”
The pantry is stocked with supplies bought in bulk at a low cost from the San Diego Food Bank . It is also supported by donations from students made through the UC San Diego chapter of Swipes for the Homeless — a nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger around the world by allowing college students to donate unused dining dollars to other students in need . With more private support , the plan is to expand offerings to include fresh produce and refrigerated options . The Triton Food Pantry is a collaborative effort made possible after Patty Mahaffey , Muir College ’ s dean of Student Affairs , brought the idea to the university ’ s Associated Students ( AS ) Council . Rallying around the cause , Mahaffey and the AS Council quickly garnered $ 50,000 of initial funding from UC San Diego ’ s Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Juan Gonzáles . “ As much as there was support administratively for this project , it is a beautiful example of students coming together to help other students ,” says Mahaffey .
Today , more than 250 students a week take part in the services offered by the pantry .
The UC San Diego Triton Food Pantry opened in February 2015 and joins a network of other food pantries that have been established at University of California campuses in response to the increasingly visible issue of food security at universities across the country .
“ The ultimate goal is for the Food Pantry to not exist at all ,” says Mahaffey . “ But to get to that point , we need to better understand the contributing factors of food insecurity and homelessness among our students . There is a UC-wide effort to tackle this issue , and it will take time .”
For more information and to learn how you can help support the project , contact foodpantry . ucsd . edu
# UCFOOD4ALL
TRITON FOOD PANTRY volunteers express why they work to alleviate food insecurity among their fellow students .
Food feeds my brain !
I can ' t study if I ' m hungry !
Because I can ’ t conquer the day on an empty stomach !
When you ' re full – you ' re focused .
Hunger affects my mood .
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