Isabelle Nguyen ’27 sees firsthand how important the Pacific Food Pantry is to her fellow students.

As a food security coordinator on University of the Pacific’s Stockton Campus, Nguyen oversees the pantry’s daily operations and greets visitors several days a week. 

“College is expensive and time-consuming, and many students also worry about whether they can afford their next meal. The Food Pantry is here to help them,” Nguyen said.

A 2023 report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that on college campuses nationwide, anywhere from 19% to 56% of students experience food insecurity. Many campuses report food insecurity prevalence around four times the national average, with high rates commonly observed among first generation and low-income students.

The Pacific Food Pantry responds to this need in Stockton by providing non-perishable food and hygiene products for students, staff and community members in need. Fresh seasonal produce from the nearby Ted and Chris Robb Garden is distributed once a week. 

The ready availability of food helps students focus on their studies, rather than worrying about finding meals or physically struggling due to hunger.

The pantry is 100% donor-funded, and usage has nearly tripled in the last five years. During the 2023-24 academic year, the pantry was visited more than 1,400 times by 258 unique visitors. This semester there have already been nearly 600 visits. 

Regular visitors to the pantry include international and graduate students and those looking to supplement the meal plans they rely on.

“Plenty of students prefer to cook their own meals, especially if it's something you can't find on campus. A taste of home can help immensely with homesickness,” Nguyen said.

“Seeing empty shelves [in the pantry] is always a good thing. It means someone came to get food. It means they have one less meal to worry about,” she added.

The pantry regularly recycles food containers, and expired food provides compost for Robb Garden.

For students without physical pantry access, a virtual food pantry provides grocery store gift cards. New this year, qualifying students can receive $100 per month through the Division of Student Life to help them purchase food and necessities. 

Ahead of Thanksgiving, the pantry also distributed nearly 50 meal boxes to students needing extra support to feed their family a holiday meal. Featuring traditional Thanksgiving ingredients such as a frozen turkey, mashed potatoes and green beans, the boxes were especially popular among graduate students and those unable to attend the Thanksgiving dinner hosted for students on the Stockton Campus.

Nguyen observes that many students who regularly use the food pantry also are eager to give back. 

“It’s very fulfilling when people ask me if we’re hiring,” she said. “These often are students who come to the Food Pantry every week, and who volunteer at sustainability events. They’ve been directly impacted, and it’s heartwarming to see them want to do the same for someone else.”

The Pacific Food Pantry accepts physical and monetary donations year-round. To make a gift, click here.