Keep the Beach Pantry Growing

Last year, I shared how the Beach Pantry helped me during a difficult time in my life. This year, I want to share what happened after that story.

For the longest time, I would walk past the long line outside the Beach Pantry in the Student Union without ever stopping. I was always rushing to class and never imagined that one day, the pantry would become such an important part of my life.

During my last year as an undergraduate, I volunteered at the Beach Pantry for a food sustainability class. My first shift was actually in the Beach Kitchen, washing dishes after a cooking session. I wasn’t exactly excited about it, but I had volunteer hours to complete. Eventually, I started taking shifts at the pantry, and something changed. I found a place where I felt comfortable, connected with the people around me, and genuinely enjoyed being there.

At the time, I was also going through a difficult transition. I had recently moved into a new apartment and didn’t feel comfortable in my own home or even in the kitchen. There were times when my meals were little more than cookies and milk or a simple sandwich. The pantry became more than somewhere I volunteered. It became a place where I felt like I belonged. I started taking extra shifts even after my volunteer hours were finished. That eventually led to my first position with the Beach Pantry.

When I graduated and continued my education at Long Beach State, I reached out to see if I could come back. I was welcomed back as a Graduate Assistant, and I got to experience the pantry from a completely different perspective. I helped with produce pickups, vendors, mobile pantries, campus events, staffing, and the many little things that keep the pantry running.

But this year, my story changed again. I became a Beach Pantry Program Assistant, taking on more responsibility for our programs, events, staff, and day-to-day operations. Instead of simply being part of the pantry, I now have the opportunity to help plan and lead many of the experiences that bring students through our doors.

I’ve helped take on pantry events, coordinate staff, work with campus partners and vendors, organize supplies, and find new ways to connect students with the resources we provide. Every event has taught me something new about leadership, teamwork, and what it takes to create an experience where people feel welcomed and cared for.

And that has probably been the biggest change for me.

The student who once walked past the pantry without knowing what was behind that line is now helping make sure there is someone there to welcome the next student who walks through our doors.

The Beach Pantry gave me much more than food. It gave me a job, friendships, mentors, confidence, and a place where I could grow. It helped me discover how much I enjoy serving others and creating experiences that make people feel supported.

Now, I get to give some of that back.

I know my story is only one of many. Every student who visits the pantry has their own reason for being there and their own story. If the pantry could become a place of comfort and opportunity for me, I want to help make sure it can do the same for someone else.

Your support helps us continue providing food, resources, programs, and a welcoming space for Long Beach State students. Thank you for being part of the story of the Beach Pantry—and the many students whose lives it continues to touch.