“Stock the Bank” event on Nov. 6-7 will be followed by Cal Coast’s “Pack the Pantry” from Nov. 8-18 on campus.
SAN MARCOS — With the holidays approaching, Palomar College is holding back-to-back food drives to “Stock the Bank” and “Pack the Pantry” at the Anita & Stan Maag Food & Nutrition Center.
First up is a two-day “Basic Needs Awareness: Stock the Bank” event hosted on Nov. 6-7 by Palomar’s Associated Student Government (ASG) aimed at raising awareness and collecting donations such as peanut butter, pasta sauce, proteins like canned chicken and a variety of packaged snack food. Monetary contributions can also be made through the Palomar College Foundation.
Then, for 10 days starting Nov. 8, Palomar will collect donations as part of the regional “Pack the Pantry” food drive sponsored by California Coast Credit Union.
“These drives represent our commitment to student success—including basic but urgent needs that many of our students face,” said Superintendent/President Dr. Joi Lin Blake. “The holidays are a good time to show our support for the wonderful work that’s done year-round at the Anita & Stan Maag Food & Nutrition Center.”
Research shows that about half of college students in San Diego face food insecurity, meaning they lack reliable, consistent access to food.
In response, Palomar College has maintained a food pantry for more than 35 years to meet the needs of thousands of students, sourcing pantry supplies from the North County Food Bank on Rancheros Drive in San Marcos. In October 2018, the operation was moved into a larger, improved space and named the Anita & Stan Maag Food & Nutrition Center.
Pack the Pantry is a food drive established by California Coast Credit Union in partnership with local community colleges and the San Diego Food Bank. The credit union will collect non-perishable food donations at its 25 branch locations, along with community colleges across San Diego and Riverside County. Monetary donations are also being accepted, and donors can select which community college is to receive the contribution—learn more at www.calcoastcu.org/pack-the-pantry.htm