Food Bank
Introduction
The Associated Students Food Bank is a student-run service that is available to all UCSB students, both undergraduate and graduate. It aims to eradicate hunger from our campus community by providing basic food supplies, toiletries, and information about additional resources to students in need. In order to promote the comfort and moral support of students, the AS Food Bank is accessible during regular school hours and respects the confidentiality of its users.
In the 2012 Spring Quarter elections undergraduate and graduate students renewed their commitment to ensure food security for students by passing a fee initiative of $1.81 and $.80 respectively to institutionalize the AS Food Bank.
When the student initiated Food Bank opened for operations on April 19, 2011 it served 5 students in its first day. By Winter Quarter 2013 it had served 1500 students who made over 10,000 visits. There is an increasing need for this service and Food Bank will continues to provide students with food and toiletries and encourages their access to healthier foods.
Food Coalition
The AS Food Bank Committee along with the AS Community Affairs Board (CAB), AS Environmental Affairs Board (EAB), AS Commission on Student Well Being (COSWB), Student Food Collective (SFC), and Health & Wellness formed a food coalition. The Coalition hosted quarterly food demonstrations and “Make Your Own Trail Mix” events to educate students about healthy eating and provide access to healthier food options.
Holiday Dinners
In collaboration with Residential and Housing Services and Counseling and Psychological Services, Food Bank hosted a Thanksgiving luncheon for students who were on campus during the Thanksgiving holiday. On December 19th, staff and organizations, including the campus Optimists Club, came together for a potluck holiday dinner to celebrate the end of year holidays at the Multicultural Center full of food and merriment.
CalFresh Outreach
Food Bank hosted Amy Lopez with the Santa Barbara Food Bank on a monthly basis to provide one on one consultation and education about how student can qualify and apply for CalFresh. Students were encouraged to come learn about CalFresh and find out whether they qualify for the service that provides qualifying students with a monthly stipend for food purchases.
IV Food Co-Op 40th Anniversary Celebration
During the 40th Anniversary Celebration for the Isla Vista Co-Op, Food Bank joined the Santa Barbara Food Bank and distributed over 200 bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to Isla Vista residents while providing information about their services and CalFresh.
Non-Traditional Student Dinner
To finish out Winter Quarter, the Food Bank and the Non-traditional Student Resource Center invited folks to a Study Dinner in the Student Resource Building, Non-traditional Student Resource Center. Because Dead Week can be hectic for students, especially those who are balancing multiple priorities like full-time jobs, families, and finances, the hosts wanted to make sure their guests get at least one healthy home-cooked dinner during the week before finals. And yes, it was free!
The Non-traditional Student Resource Center provides opportunities for non-traditional aged students to connect with others, educational and personal resources to succeed at UCSB, and connections to academic resources.
2nd Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser
During Spring Quarter Food Bank celebrated two years of service to UCSB students in need and all of the donors and partners who made this possible. The celebration included fundraisers, food, entertainment, and great company to ensure that Food Bank continues to serve UCSB students and alleviate hunger on the UCSB campus.
As the AS Food Bank continues to grow and provide additional service to students, the need for space is ongoing. The UCEN Governance Board recognized this need and allocated additional space in Spring 2013 to provide additional storage and help transition the Food Bank to provide perishable food.
Food Bank Fundraisers
Food Bank hosted a “Back to the Foodture” luncheon and fundraiser at the Mosher Alumni House to celebrate the community with interactive food demonstrations from local and student chefs.
Exxopolis Luminarium
Food Bank also partnered with Program Board when they brought the Exxopolis Luminarium to campus. Although entrance to the Luminarium was free, a donation of non-perishable foods or toiletry items was highly encouraged.
Isla Vista GIVE Drive
As a fitting end to a year of serving the IV community, several A.S. groups, including CAB and CAB Foundation, IVCRC, Business Services Committee, Finance Board, and IVTU, participated in the annual IV GIVE drive. The event, which is also sponsored by GIVE Isla Vista, Housing & Residential Services, Office of Student Life, Marborg Disposal, Inc., Goodwill Industries, and The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF), is the culmination of a week of collecting items ranging from furniture to non-perishable foods from students moving out at the end of the year. These items are sold and all proceeds benefit local community service agencies. Items left over from the sale are donated to local The food goes to stock the shelves of the A.S. Food Bank. This year GIVE raised $37,260.24. 138 volunteers worked 1,314.5 hours collecting about 30 tons of student donations. This included over 1289 pounds of food for the A.S. Food Bank, and hundreds of pounds of E-waste for A.S. Recycling. 100% of the proceeds were distributed to 14 IV community non-profits, including:
Adopt-a-Block Program: Isla Vista Recreation & Park District
Associated Students Food Bank
Breakfast Optimist Club of Goleta
Isla Vista Elementary School Science Camp Scholarship Fund
Isla Vista Initiatives Fund, i.e. Isla Vista Community Network
Isla Vista Teen Center
Isla Vista/UCSB Liaison Scholarship Fund at the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara
Isla Vista Youth Projects
Optimist Club @ UCSB
St. Brigid Outreach Program
Santa Barbara Student Housing Coop
St. Michael and All Angels Church
THRIVE Isla Vista
Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara/Isla Vista