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Food Resources

Food Insecurity

On-Campus Resources

• ASI Cougar Pantry offers free food and some supplies for students; Mon-Thurs, 10am–5pm, in 104 Commons (near University Bookstore). Drop by, show your ID, and shop for free once per week. Bring your own bags.  
  • • Free snacks (Cougar Pantry on the Go) also are available in mini fridges throughout campus:  
      • • University Student Union:
          • SLIC, room 3600 
        • Student Health & Counseling Services Lobby 
        • Epstein Family Veterans Center Lobby 
        • CAMP, Extended Learning Building, room 248 
        • PASS office, Kellogg Library room 1103 
        • Administrative Building: 
          • Dean of Students Office, room 1200
          • ACE Scholars, room 3400
          • EOP/TRIO SSS, room 4100 
        • Open after 5pm: 
          • Clarke Field House Lobby
          • Kellogg Library 2nd floor, break room (near IITS) 
• can provide up to 10 free meals on campus each semester.
• Catering left over food is available for free on a first come, first serve basis. Through campus' Edible Food Recovery Program, students, staff, and faculty can sign up to receive notifications when there is leftover food via the CSUSM Mobile Application. . Participants are highly encourage to bring their reusable containers and utensils.
• CalFresh is a federal program that provides monthly food benefits in purchasing groceries. Every week there is a San Diego County Representative on campus to help students apply for benefits. Please . Walk-ins are available Tuesday from 10am to 3pm at the ASI Cougar Pantry on a first come, first serve basis. Virtual appointments are available Tuesday and Wednesday. You can now use your CalFresh benefits on campus at Crash's Market located at the USU.
• Student Emergency Fund: $350 is available to currently enrolled CSUSM students who encounter an unexpected financial emergency or catastrophic event in which their basic needs and/or ability to function as a student are impacted.

Off-Campus Resources

• Students can apply for food, cash, and health coverage benefits. For assistance with applying for these benefits while on-campus, please . A county representative is available on Tuesdays from 10am-2pm at the ASI Cougar Pantry and virtually on Wednesdays. 
• San Marcos Seventh-day Adventist Church (2 miles from campus)  
  363 Woodland Parkway, San Marcos 
  No call ahead or eligibility necessary  
  Hours:1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 3:00 - 5:00 PM
• Rock Church - San Marcos (3 miles from campus)  
  1370 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos 
  No call ahead or eligibility necessary 
  Hours: Every 1st Thursday of the month at 12:00 PM
• Salvation Army- Escondido 
  1301 Las Villas Way, Escondido, CA. 760-745-8616 
  No call ahead or eligibility necessary 
  Hours: Monday-Friday beginning at 10:30 until food is gone
• Women of Promise Resource Center (4 miles from campus)  
  1605 Grand Ave #1, San Marcos 
  *Call ahead & appointment necessary  
  Hours: Monday - Thursday from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Friday by appointment only
• - provides medically tailored home-delivered meals (3 meals a day), HIV emergency food assistance, and nutritional education to San Diego residents at risk of malnutrition due to critical illnesses - all at no cost. *Must be referred to Mama's Kitchen by their medical case manager, medical social worker, or healthcare provider to qualify.
• is a county resource and information hub that connects people with housing, utilities, food, health, and other resources.  Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a customer support representative who will help callers search for services or .
• provides information about financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, etc.
• in Escondido can help with housing, meals, showers, laundry & more.
• - California Women, Infants & Children

Pet Food

• to find free pet food, if you qualify.
•  
• in Encinitas. Also has a for families who need help temporarily providing care for a pet due to emergencies.