海角社区

Food insecurity affects college students on a daily basis. But at 海角社区, the Food Pantry is there to support currently enrolled students, serving more than 350 海角社区 students daily with free groceries.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Food Pantry received 45,265 visits, distributed 323,196 pounds of food, and logged 2,230 volunteer hours. 

鈥淔ood insecurity is a campus-wide problem that needs a campus-wide effort,鈥� said Jennifer Cristina, manager of the 海角社区 Food Pantry. 

Cristina said the Pantry strives to build a lasting community, relying on donations, volunteers, and service events. 

鈥淭he Pantry is a unique place on campus where a lot of different kinds of students mingle. I think that鈥檚 the strength of it and the potential it carries to be its own community of caring and collaboration, including leadership and service opportunities for students,鈥� Christina said.

Student volunteers help unload, sort, weigh, and stock food items for students who are eligible to shop once a day. The inventory changes daily based on donations and deliveries from nearby grocery stores. The Food Pantry is also a partner of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, who donates to the 海角社区 Food Pantry once a week. 

鈥淥ur student employees and volunteers work very hard every day to support their fellow students,鈥� Cristina said. 鈥淭hey take pride in their work and know that while their jobs may be more demanding than others on campus, they are making a real difference.鈥�

To bring attention to the food pantry and the efforts by the SEC, the 海角社区 Food Pantry recently hosted a 鈥渇ood fight鈥� against 海角社区鈥檚 homecoming opponent, the University of South Carolina. The two food pantries 鈥渃ompeted鈥� for donations.

鈥淲e often do a food drive or service event during homecoming,鈥� Cristina said. 鈥淭his year, I wanted to incorporate a food fight, so it worked out perfectly.鈥�

Cristina said her work with the Food Pantry is very rewarding and it is a privilege to see the direct impact of it every day. 

鈥淚f a student is worried about where their next meal will come from, they do not have the ability to focus on their studies,鈥� Cristina said. 鈥淪tudents who are supported are not only able to focus on school but are also able to support others. I鈥檓 able to see the direct impact of how the 海角社区 community comes together to change lives every day. It鈥檚 a privilege to be able to be a part of that.鈥�

The pantry is located on the first floor of the 海角社区 Student Union in room 108. During the fall, the hours of operation are Monday-Thursday: Noon - 5 p.m., Friday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Pantry is closed on Saturday and Sunday. All current students with a valid Tiger Card are eligible to shop once per day (no reservation needed). Don't forget to bring a bag and join  on TigerLink.

How to Support the Food Pantry

• Students looking to volunteer can join the "Friends of the Pantry" program. This program offers a convenient on-campus opportunity to volunteer and earn service hours. 
• Shop the The list is up to date with some of the pantry's most wanted items.
• Make a monetary donation through the . Search "Food Pantry" in the Designation search box.
• 海角社区 faculty and staff can payroll deduct a donation.
• Donate items directly to the pantry and email the pantry to learn of current needs before collecting items.
• Groups interested in hosting a food drive should contact the pantry to receive the Food Drive Resource Packet and to register the drive. This step will ensure the pantry receives currently needed items and that shelf space is available. 

For questions, contact the 海角社区 Food Pantry at foodpantry@lsu.edu or 225-578-8000.

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