STORY AND PHOTO BY HANNAH KAMPITAN, DIGITAL EDITOR
Free basic needs and resources offered by the Cypress College Food Pantry were inaccessible during the summer break; however, the variety of goods they provide since its reopening in September continues to help students.
The food pantry–located in the Student Life and Leadership building on campus–offers staple commodities every Wednesday and Thursday. The summer absence of this resource prevented students on campus, as well as the community, from accessing products for over two months. Students registered with the food pantry had to find a different resource location to meet their needs during the closure.
In an interview with David Okawa, Cypress College’s Student Life and Leadership advisor, he stated that the food pantry is dependent on an annual contract with Pathways of Hope, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides over 100,000 meals yearly to Orange County in their main location at Richmond Park, Fullerton. The annual contract with Cypress ended on June 30, 2024; the college had to renegotiate a renewal that was not settled until late August. Okawa stated that he hoped to reopen before the semester started on Monday, Aug. 26, but the pantry reopened during the first week of September instead. Moving forward, the pantry plans to remain open during all holidays (including winter and summer intersections), except the week between Christmas and New Years.
Pathways of Hope works with the Second Harvest Food Bank, one of the resources the college pantry has access to in the contract. It is their main supply; three to four pallets of staples including canned goods, pasta, and fresh produce are routinely provided by this bank.
Okawa mentioned the additional inventory they get, notably through what the contract calls “grocery rescue.”
“Through them [Pathways of Hope], we’re able to get more products through what we call grocery rescue,” Okawa said. “The retailers in our area, such as Food4Less, Trader Joe’s, Albertsons, Vons, and NorthGate Market, essentially say, ‘hey, when we get food that is getting closer to expiration–you guys are welcome to get it.’ Today we went to NorthGate market, and we were able to get frozen chicken, pork trays, and other kinds of protein. And baked goods right now.”
Christina Nguyen, a second-year student employee at the food pantry, expresses how vital it is for students and community members to take advantage of this campus resource.
“The food pantry is very well-developed. As a student myself, I hope that others will make the most of this opportunity since Cypress College puts in the funds to give students basic necessities.”
The pantry also has products exclusively for Cypress College students. Students enrolled in units at Cypress can take personal household items. Their new diaper program attached to this opportunity also allows student parents to cater to their childcare needs.
The food pantry is open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays. On Thursdays, they are open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
