While students were in finals, I was able to come and help volunteer at the UC Berkeley Food Pantry. Volunteers came to help re-stock the pantry, which involved counting current items on shelves, getting food into the pantry space, and re-stocking items.
The food pantry is a student-run space, which is fantastic! According to signs on their door, this space was "designated to provide emergency relief for those of us who may be experiencing food insecurity. As a reminder to us all, food insecurity can present in a myriad ways- it can look like skipping a meal because there was no food in the fridge, or having to eat food that lacks nutritional value on a consistent basis, for example. The pantry, moreover, forms part of the basic needs effort on this campus; efforts to ensure that everyone experiences food, housing, and economic justice while at UC Berkeley. This is a community space, intended to support each of us as we become the best we can be..."
Pros:
-When I volunteered, there were so many fresh and healthy options to choose from. Some items included: cereal, spices, honey, bananas, beets, boullion, pasta, sauces, milk, quinoa, soups, etc.
-This place is operated on an honor system- "you do not need to prove anything when using the pantry"
Cons:
-N/A
Tip: There are signs in the MLK building that you can follow that will lead you to the food pantry. read more