The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Campus food pantry opens to address food insecurity

General’s Store, a student-focused food pantry at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, opened on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The food pantry, a partnership between San Antonio Food Bank and the Center of Experiential Learning and Community Engagement, opened to address food insecurity on campus.

The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “consistent access to adequate food limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year.”

At the General’s store grand opening, university President Cynthia Teniente-Matson addressed the importance of a campus food pantry.

From Left to Right: Gregorio Gonzalez, freshman Business Management major, Dr. Melissa Mahan, Vice President of Student Affairs, Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Texas A&M – San Antonio President, General the Jaguar, Edwin Blanton, Executive Director of Experiential Learning & Community Engagement, Sherry Hardwick, Student Intern, cut the ribbon to General’s Store located on the first floor of Patriot’s Casa.
From Left to Right: Gregorio Gonzalez, freshman Business Management major; Dr. Melissa Mahan, Vice President of Student Affairs; Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Texas A&M – San Antonio President; General the Jaguar; Edwin Blanton, Executive Director of Experiential Learning & Community Engagement; and Sherry Hardwick, Student Intern, cut the ribbon to General’s Store located on the first floor of Patriot’s Casa. Photo by Aaron Perez

“We know that there is a need here on our campus,” Matson said. “I hear about this from our faculty, I hear about this from our staff.”

More than 400 campus food pantries exist around the country.

According to the latest USDA report, 15.4 percent of Texas households experience food insecurity in the years of 2013 to 2015.

The goal of General’s Store is to eliminate food insecurity as well as provide volunteer and experiential learning opportunities for students.

Students who wish to use food pantry will sign-in at the front desk at Patriots’ Casa and fill out an application

Once reviewed, students will receive a Shopping List to fill out.

General’s store is open every Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and is also available by appointment.

For more information, contact the General’s Store at foodpantry@tamusa.edu or visit in-person at the Patriots Casa, room 110.

 

*Note: Staff reporter Rafael Gubser contributed to this report. 

About the Author

Kimberly Rivera
Editor-In-Chief
Kimberly Rivera has served as student reporter, photographer and assistant editor for the campus' digital news outlet. Last semester she interviewed Elle Magazine fashion news editor, Naomi Rougeau, to learn how to break into the fashion magazine market. In addition to serving as assistant editor and student, Kimberly works in retail where she uses her organizational and communication skills on a daily basis. Rivera spends her free time discovering new trends across fashion, keeping up with current events, and exploring new places.
Website:

Join the Conversation

© 2024 Jaguar Student Media | Texas A&M University-San Antonio. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved.
San Antonio Website Design & Development - Backyard Studios
Join Our Newsletter

Get the Mesquite News delivered straight to you.