Food insecurity is a serious issue on campuses throughout the United States. Often, students go hungry in order to pay for college tuition and school expenses. Knowing it’s difficult to learn on an empty stomach, the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus created the "DEN," a food pantry on campus. It’s a place for any student facing food insecurity who needs a healthy snack or a quick meal.
Students can visit the DEN for food, fresh produce, hygiene items and CalFresh application assistance. The PDC DEN provides currently enrolled students with free food regardless of verified need. The DEN is committed to eliminating barriers, promoting student success, and connecting PDC students with important campus and community resources.
For more information, contact: pdcden@csusb.edu or (909) 537-8173.
Questions about receiving food assistance? We’re here to help!
- The PDC DEN serves to assist CSUSB students who face food insecurity or scarcity.
- The PDC DEN is only available to currently enrolled CSUSB students, including undergraduate, credential, graduate, and doctoral students.
- To be eligible to utilize the services, students must be currently enrolled at CSUSB. Please make sure to bring your CoyoteOne Card to each visit to The PDC DEN. Confidentiality is maintained at all times.
- Our food items come from community partners including the Helping Hands Food Pantry, through departments and student club and organization food drives, as well as in-kind donations.
- The PDC DEN can also help with referrals to on- and off-campus resources.
Summer 2026
The Palm Desert DEN will be closed from May 18, 2026 - August 14, 2026.
Please visit the locations below for food assistance.
Location Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
| Grocery Box Pick UP | |
| Mary Stuart Rogers Gateway Building | RG-203 |
| Snack Stations | |
| Mary Stuart Rogers Gateway Building | RG-203 & RMSC |
| Indian Wells Center for Educational Excellence | IW-102 |
| Palm Desert Health Sciences Building | HS-119 |
Summer Campus Closures
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2026
- Juneteenth: Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Independence Day: Thursday, July 2, 2026
PDC Mobile Market
The Department of Basic Needs and Student Support partners with Find Food Bank to bring student, staff, faculty, and PDC community members with access to food, household goods and other items.
2026-2027 Dates Coming Soon!
*If you are interested in volunteering at this event contact Natalie Cleary, Senior Basic Needs Coordinator at (909) 537-3993 or by email at ncleary@csusb.edu
Bridging the Gap
As a result of generous grants from the Auen Foundation and the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, the Bridging the Gap fund is here to help students who are struggling with uncommon financial stress to overcome and continue to persist in achieving their college goals. We know well that sometimes an unexpected circumstance or a financial burden is just enough to make it impossible for a student to finish a semester, complete a key course, or participate in a required out-of-class learning opportunity. This fund will provide financial support for up to $1,500.00 per academic year to alleviate the concerns of an IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY CRISIS that may prevent a student from continuing to attend the university. Please note that these funds cannot be used to pay tuition.
- Students are eligible for support if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Must be a CSUSB Palm Desert Campus full-time student during the semester in which they apply;
- Must live in the Coachella Valley;
- Must demonstrate an emergency financial hardship;
- Must be in good academic standing; and
- Must meet with a PDC financial advisor prior to filling out the application to discuss all other financial aid options.
Students must apply via the online Bridging the Gap application form.
Make a Donation
The PDC DEN depends on donations from people like you to provide critical food assistance to members of our campus community in need. You can make a difference!
Make your tax-deductible gift to:
CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation
Attn: PDC DEN
37500 Cook Street
Palm Desert, CA 92211