#BruinStrong: Community Programs Office (CPO) Food Closet

UCLA is #BruinStrong

On March 13th, UCLA made the difficult choice to extend the initial transition to remote learning through the end of spring quarter to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. 

Students who are able have been asked to return home to learn remotely. Many students are facing unprecedented challenges as we all navigate these difficult and evolving circumstances. Faculty and staff are rising to the occasion, learning new ways to serve students and keep the UCLA enterprise running. Bruins near and far are being asked to work and learn differently, while still maintaining the bonds of our UCLA family.

Due to loss of wages, many students are facing challenges paying for rent, food, and tuition. Many have opted to terminate their housing contracts and live with friends or families, where they may be experiencing pressure to contribute financially or feelings of guilt from adding to their family's expenses. These financial hardships oftentimes lead students to prioritize other costs over their own health and nutrition. As in any time of crisis, the UCLA community responds with optimism and generosity - asking what they can do to help.

Serving Students Virtually Through Our Basic Needs Gift Card Program 

The Community Programs Office (CPO) has supported students at UCLA for over 30 years. The CPO Food Closet normally operates as a fully-stocked pantry with fresh produce, beverages, breads, canned foods, and hygiene products for any UCLA student experiencing food insecurity. 

In the interest of the health of students and staff, we have temporarily closed our physical space but we are still committed to providing students with access to food through our virtual Basic Needs Gift Card Program. Students can apply to qualify for up to three $75 gift cards per quarter to grocery stores.

Your Support is Needed to Sustain These Resources

We are planning to offer the program through Spring and Summer quarters and serve 650 students each quarter. We anticipate requiring over $146,000 per quarter to provide these cards and continue supplementing students' financial aid support and CalFresh benefits. Please consider making a gift today on this special Giving Tuesday to support the CPO Food Closet.

Together we are #BruinStrong

We are all facing unprecedented challenges right now, but we know that the strength and generosity of the global Bruin community will rise to the occasion of supporting students. Join the CPO Food Closet as we serve and support UCLA students now more than ever.

Here are just a few of the students benefiting from our Basic Needs Gift Card Program:

“Thank you so much for selecting me for the Basic Needs Gift Card Program. I am extremely grateful; this will take a significant burden off my shoulders.” 

“CalFresh sent me a notification that my mom and I qualify for less than $200 a month, and I have applied for everything I could, but this is the first thing I get. My mom and I truly appreciate it.” 

“I would like to thank you for advocating and creating this opportunity for students like myself who are currently struggling during this time.”

“Without the assistance of programs such as these, I do not know what I would do, so I am so grateful for the support. Thank you so much for your consideration and the support that you offer for students at UCLA.”

For the latest updates about the CPO Food Closet, visit CPO's Facebook. 

If you have questions related to the CPO Food Closet or accessing basic necessities, please email basicneeds@ucla.edu. 

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