Cougar Pantry

Distribution Updates

SUMMER 2021 UPDATES 

The ASI Cougar Pantry distributions will be closed this summer in order to prepare for the new physical space opening in fall 2021. We will reopen again the first day of the semester on Monday, August 30th. 

Please navigate to our resource page to learn about local food resources available to CSUSM students. If you are a currently enrolled CSUSM student in need of additional food resources, please contact the ASI Cougar Pantry at cougarpantry@csusm.edu.

• Spring 2021

  During the week of Spring Break, we will be hosting distribution on Wednesday, March 24th but will NOT be offering appointments on Thursday, March 25th. 

  Campus will be closed Wednesday, March 31st and distribution will be cancelled that day. On Thursday April 1st, we will offer extended hours for appointments from 8:00am - 12:00pm.

  Starting, Thursday, April 8th our Thursday appointments will be taking place from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm after reviewing student survey feedback and appointments trends.

• January 22, 2021

  In support of CSUSM's difficult but urgent decision to delay face-to-face classes this spring, ASI will delay its mobile distributions and pantry pick-ups until February 17th. The decision is a result of the high number of cases of COVID-19 that are still impacting our region. In San Diego County, the virus is rated as widespread and our region continues to be under stay-at-home orders.
  
  Students and staff have been prepping for the start of mobile distributions this semester and working out the details surrounding our food box distributions which will launch on February, 1st. ASI will provide an update about the food box program on Monday (1/25/21) as we finalize the process. 
   
  ASI would like to recognize that the ASI Cougar Pantry mobile food distributions are a vital resource for many students. We were looking forward to reopening this service but are thankful for the opportunity to join in the effort to keep our community safe and healthy.

• December 4, 2020

   As COVID-19 cases in San Diego County and California continue to rise, it is with an overabundance of caution that we in ASI have made the difficult decision to cancel the remaining distributions this semester. We did not make this decision lightly as we know the ASI Cougar Pantry is a vital resource for so many of our students.

  For additional information and to view the complete memo, please visit the Memorandums website. 

• September 25, 2020

  Beginning October 1, 2020 and moving forward for the rest of the fall semester, the ASI Cougar Pantry will be allowing students to pick up a premade bag of groceries Thursdays 8:00 am - 10:00 am. We will be having them schedule an appointment on accudemia and will operating on a walk up model. Instruct students to look for a white canopy tent to check in. Our location will still be campus way circle.

• August 12, 2020

  The last distribution of summer will be on August 19, 2020.

  Beginning September 2nd, the ASI Cougar Pantry will relocate and operate from Campus Way Circle (outside the first floor of the Unviersity Student Union) from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. We will continue to operate using a mobile drive - through distribution model to continue to minimize interactions.

  Starting October 5, 2020, we will be partnering with the San Diego Food Bank to bring back Fresh Market Mondays! These will take place the first Monday of each month from 8:00 am - 10:00 am. These will feature fresh produce and will function the same way as the weekly distributions in that they will be a drive-thru model. 
  
  Please refer to our guidelines for more information on our safety precautions. We will continue to provide basic need resources for students to the best of our abilities. Like CSUSM, we are firmly committed to the continuing support of CSUSM students in the efforts to continue their educational journey and success!

• June 15, 2020

  This is the first year the The ASI Cougar Pantry will operate over summer to help accommodate our CSUSM students during this global pandemic. Distributions will continue to take place Wednesdays from 10AM - 12PM in the UVA parking lot, Lot O.

  With the health and safety of our entire campus community in mind, we are continuing to refine our safety measures. As of May 19, new temperature screening protocols for on-campus employees began in accordance with San Diego County public health orders. The ASI Cougar Pantry employees and interns are all required to comply with this requirement.

• April 21,2020

  The ASI Cougar Pantry will be ultilizing the specific safety measures during mobile distributions. You can find those guidelines here.

• April 17, 2020

  ASI Cougar Pantry distributions for all CSUSM students resume Wednesday, April 22 from 10AM - 1PM (while supplies last) in the UVA parking lot, Lot O.
  
  In order to support the health and safety of our staff and campus community, we are eliminating the shopping model.

  This will be a “drive-through" distribution. Here’s how it works:

  • Grab a face covering before you leave your home.
  • Drive up to Lot O.
  • Turn right into the lot.
  • Put on your face covering.
  • Stop at check-in and roll down your window.
  • Tell us your student ID number & how many people you’re shopping for.
  • If there’s more than one student in your car or if you have dietary restrictions, let us know.
  • Pull forward and open your trunk.
  • An ASI member will place pre-bagged groceries in your trunk and close it.
  • Head on home and load up your pantry!

  With this no-touch service, attendees will not be permitted to exit your vehicle in the lot.
  
  If you live in @csusm_housing, please check your email for specific instructions.

• April 9, 2020

  There will be no ASI Cougar Pantry distributions next week (April 13-17).

   

  Under the guidance of the state and county, we will be doing our part to to stay at home and limit all outings, including grocery shopping. It is critical that we help flatten the curve health and that we continue to keep the safety of CSUSM students in mind.

   

  Moving forward, our hope is to hold mobile distributions once per week starting on Wednesday, April 22. These will be held as a drive-through only. A member of the ASI team will place pre-bagged groceries directly in your trunk. If you have food allergies/restrictions please let us know when you drive up for a special bag.

   

  For immediate food assistance, please visit our off-campus emergency resources page.

   

  As regulations continue to change rapidly, please check back on April 19th for more information.