Cal State Fullerton’s Associated Students’ Food Pantry will be introducing new hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Monday, Nov. 3. The Pantry is located at the Titan Student Union, room 129.
This update comes at a time when the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program has effectively paused the distribution of benefits for November due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
“We have 828 current appointments right now and we’re going to be increasing that to 972,” said Christina Cardenas, ASI director of communications and outreach. “We’ll be opening an hour earlier on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and that’s going to accommodate for 144 additional appointment slots per week.”
The Pantry has served as a permanent program at CSUF to distribute foods and support students facing food insecurity.
Students have the ability to choose from various food items including non-perishable foods, canned goods and fresh produce. Staple items include unlimited bread and produce such as fruits and vegetables. Rice and beans are exempt.
“The other thing we’re going to do is increase our item limit. Right now students can add five staple items, five snacks,” Cardenas said. “Now, we’re going to increase that to eight staples and eight snacks.”
The Pantry aims to address food insecurity among students; just last month the Pantry scheduled 3,456 appointments.
The Pantry will also be hosting pop-ups on Nov. 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. and Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Central Quad. Students are encouraged to bring reusable bags and will be able to get free groceries and learn new recipes with the TitanWELL CHOMP — Cooking Healthy & Optimal Movement — program.
“You don’t have to prove any type of need,” Cardenas said. “If you’re a student here, you can go to the Pantry. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Pell Grant student or if you’re not, anyone can use it.”
The current government shutdown now stands as the second-longest funding lapse in U.S. history. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provides funding for the SNAP program, warned that there would be insufficient funds to pay benefits for November.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA announced on its website. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.”
Along with The Pantry’s services, the program works with Tuffy’s Basic Needs to provide additional resources for basic need insecurity and related issues.
CSUF Basic Needs Service will still be hosting CalFresh Outreach and Enrollment Day on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tuffy Lawn.
This event allows potentially eligible students to complete a CalFresh application and interview with the County of Orange Social Services Agency.
Students can schedule an appointment via bit.ly/csufcfoed to participate.