Local college students are addressing student hunger with the opening of a fully-stocked food pantry.
The Del Mar College food pantry opened Thursday and has food items like canned goods, cereal, drinks and more. And it’s helping any student in need.
“I felt hunger before, and it’s not a pretty thing to feel,” Del Mar student Pedro Lopez said. “And it gets in the way with everything in your life, especially your academics.”
A lack of access to healthy foods can hurt one’s academic performance, but Del Mar students like Natasha Perez are breaking the barrier of food insecurity.
“A lot of times it’s a choice,” said Perez, who shares the story of someone she knows. “Do I pay for my next meal or do I just save that for gas so I can get home?”
At the food pantry, students can refer themselves or refer a classmate. Any student who visits can grab a reusable bag, and fill it up twice a month.
Perez believes by addressing food insecurity, these students are helping one another achieve their academic goals.
“I feel like we are already giving them the biggest voice and one of the biggest resources that they could ask for,” said Perez.
“For this to be here nearby,” said Lopez. “It’s awesome to see.”
The food pantry opened in partnership with the Coastal Bend Food Bank. For more information on how you can donate, send an email to foodpantry@delmar.edu
Donations can also be dropped off at the Coastal Bend Food Bank, 826 Krill St.
