INTRODUCTION
The AS Food Bank is an organization that provides fresh, free, and nutritious food as well as toiletries to the Gaucho community. Led by a group of diverse students who tackle food insecurity on campus, the food bank continually raises awareness on issues surrounding food. The bank offers an inclusive safe space for all students as well as a confidentiality in its services.
Founded in April 2011, the Food Bank has served UCSB’s diverse community since its creation. During its humble first week the bank only served 5 students. This year it served over 3,000 students a week. In addition, it distributed 1500 meal tickets per quarter. Of course, this “success” is sobering evidence of the extent of food insecurity in our campus community. Fortunately, this reality was recognized by an earlier generation of students who took action to create the bank.
THE CORONA VIRUS
This year, Food Bank was called on to work above and beyond the call of duty in the face of the corona virus. Although most students left campus and IV at Chancellor Yang’s urging, for a variety of reasons, some were unable to do so. Many of those who stayed faced food insecurity. Food Bank was there to help!
During spring quarter a crew of students and career staff worked to make sure students who needed the support received food and other supplies. This came in the form of pre-packaged “Brown Bags.” The Brown Bags consisted of basics that the bank would normally carry such as pasta, beans, sauce etc. The bags were provided and assembled by the Santa Barbara County Food Bank. The AS Food Bank then distributed these bags.
Like the work of grocery store clerks and volunteers who worked with the county food bank, the work students did was truly heroic. AS took all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the student workers, staff, and those receiving food, but of course, some risk remained. Everyone who worked was given the option to opt out. Fortunately, enough opted in to help their fellow Gauchos. We owe them our thanks for this unwavering dedication to our campus community!
NORMAL OPERATIONS
Food Bank was able to operate normally until just before winter quarter finals week.