More students at California State University, San Bernardino, are turning to campus food assistance as rising grocery, housing and transportation costs add pressure to those balancing college, work and family responsibilities.

The Obershaw DEN food pantry served more than 2,200 CSUSB students this fall, up from about 1,800 at the same point last year, U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar said Wednesday during a visit to the campus that included a stop at the pantry and meeting briefly with students. Applications for CalFresh, California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, have more than doubled since last year, Aguilar said, highlighting the importance of food assistance programs for students.

Angie Gordon, director of CSUSB’s Basic Needs and Student Support, said the pantry served more than 2,500 students during the first four weeks of the semester at its San Bernardino and Palm Desert Campus locations. Both sites recorded more than 7,600 visits during that period.

“At the Basic Needs center, we see firsthand the challenges many students face while pursuing their education,” Gordon said. “Today’s college students are often balancing coursework with employment, their family responsibilities, transportation costs, housing expenses and other financial obligations. For some students, even a temporary disruption in their finances can create a difficult choice about how to meet their basic needs.”

Angie Gordon, director, CSUSB Basic Needs and Support
Angie Gordon, director, CSUSB Basic Needs and Support

Gordon said the center helped students complete nearly 200 CalFresh applications during the first six weeks of the semester. The center offers prescreening and application assistance for students who may qualify but find the process difficult to navigate.

“Every student should have the opportunity to pursue their education without food insecurity becoming a barrier to completing their degree,” said Samantha Coronado, executive vice president of Associated Students Inc. and the university’s student body vice president.

Sukhpreet “Suki” Kaur, vice chair of the Santos Manuel Student Union Board of Directors, described the Obershaw DEN as a resource students can use between classes or during long days on campus. 

U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar meets with a student during a visit to CSUSB’s Obershaw DEN food pantry. Aguilar highlighted the importance of food assistance program during his visit to the university. Photo courtesy of the Office of U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar.
U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar meets with a student during a visit to CSUSB’s Obershaw DEN food pantry. Aguilar highlighted the importance of food assistance program during his visit to the university. Photo courtesy of the Office of U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar.

“You don’t have to leave the campus or sit through your next class hungry,” Kaur said.

The pantry provides snacks, groceries and personal hygiene products. Students can receive groceries once a week and snacks three times a week, Kaur said.

“When students are hungry, it’s harder to focus in class, finish homework, or have the energy to take part in clubs, sports, recreation and other activities,” Aguilar said.

“In the wealthiest country on earth, it shouldn’t even be a possibility that we have concerns about students getting their next meals,” he said. “I’ll keep fighting to lower costs and protect food assistance programs so students like those here at Cal State can get the meals that they need” to succeed in school and in life.