University and Community College Based Programs

Texas Community College Food Pantries

Dallas College Food Pantries^4

• Campuses: All seven main campuses
• Description: Food pantries at all seven campuses providing snacks, meals, diapers, and more. Also hosts Drive-Thru Pantry days for community members (with fresh produce from North Texas Food Bank) and Community Pantry Fridays when pantries are open to everyone, not just students.
• Special Services: Nearly half of Dallas College students are food insecure; partnership with North Texas Food Bank; mobile food truck distributions
• Website: www.dallascollege.edu/resources/food-pantries

Southwest Texas Junior College - Cowboy Pantry^6

• Campuses: Multiple locations in Uvalde, Del Rio, and Eagle Pass
• Description: Provides food and basic necessities to currently enrolled SWTX students at no cost. Students can visit twice per month to decrease impact of food insecurities on academic success.
• Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11am-3pm at various campus locations
• Website: www.swtxc.edu/campus-life/student-services/food-pantry.html

Northeast Texas Community College - Eagle Food Pantry^7

• Location: Mount Pleasant campus (NTCC Care Center)
• Description: Free campus resource for any current NTCC student providing non-perishable food and personal care items. Students can access once per month with current student ID. Addresses that 1 in 5 East Texans are hungry.
• Partnership: Also partners with God's Closet in Pittsburg for additional monthly food access
• Website: www.ntcc.edu/student-services/ntcc-care-center/eagle-food-pantry

Texas University Food Pantries

Texas A&M University - The 12th Can^8^10

• Location: 330 Agronomy Road, College Station, TX 77843
• Description: Student-run food pantry opened in November 2013. Provided 60,000+ pounds of food to 5,000+ individuals in 2021. Completely student-led, affiliated with Brazos Valley Food Bank. Offers 20-30 lbs of fresh/frozen food plus hygiene products through grocery store-style process.
• Hours: Open every other week Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-4:30pm
• Special Features: Pocket pantries across campus for emergency access; recently expanded with refrigerator for perishables; seeks larger permanent location
• Impact: 19% of Texas A&M students face food or housing insecurity^8
• Website: www.12thcan.tamu.edu

Texas A&M - McAllen Higher Education Center - 12th Can Pantry^11

• Location: Main Lobby Security Desk, McAllen campus
• Description: Stocked year-round with non-perishable dried food and essential supplies including dried goods, canned food, condiments, shampoos, conditioners, body wash, first aid supplies, and personal care products
• Access: Submit online order form, receive confirmation email, pick up with Aggie ID
• Website: www.mcallen.tamu.edu/student-resources/12th-can-pantry.html

University of Texas at Austin - UT Outpost^12

• Location: 2609 University Avenue (UA9), Suite 3.108, Austin, TX 78712
• Description: Free on-campus food pantry and career closet for all currently enrolled UT Austin students
• Services: Up to 20 lbs of food per month (1 visit/week); toiletry items (one of each/month); menstrual and parenting products (as needed); 2 career closet outfits per semester to keep
• Hours: Regular business hours
• Context: Around 1 in 3 UT Austin students experience food insecurity^13
• Website: www.deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/utoutpost.php

University of Texas at Arlington - Maverick Pantry^14

• Location: 520 S Center St, Arlington, TX 76010
• Description: Free food essentials, toiletry items, and school supplies for UTA students, faculty, and staff with MAV ID
• Hours: Tuesday 9am-3pm, Wednesday 9am-3pm, Thursday 12pm-6pm, Friday 9am-12pm (Monday closed)
• Special Note: Bag-free department - bring reusable grocery bags; appointments strongly encouraged
• Website: www.uta.edu/student-affairs/health-and-wellness/maverick-pantry

University of Texas at Dallas - Comet Cupboard^15

• Location: UT Dallas campus
• Description: Student-led food pantry providing food, personal care, and household items to students in need
• Website: www.cometcupboard.utdallas.edu

University of North Texas - UNT Food Pantry^16

• Location: Denton campus
• Description: Helps students bridge expense gap for food and increases access to healthy and nutritious meals through weekly pantry visits
• Website: www.studentaffairs.unt.edu/desresources/programs/food-pantry

Texas State University - Bobcat Bounty^2

• Location: San Marcos campus with multiple Cupboard locations across campus
• Description: First on-campus student-run food pantry at Texas State, operating since 2017. Market-style pantry addressing food insecurity discovered through research showing 28% of Texas State students face food insecurity.
• Partnership: Hays County Food Bank partnership; part of Nutrition LEADers program
• Special Features: Multiple 24/7 Cupboard locations across campus for constant access; experiential learning site for nutrition students
• Website: www.bobcatbounty.txst.edu

Texas Woman's University - TWU Food Pantry / Minerva's Market^18

• Location: OMB 406, Denton; Minerva's Market partners with Tarrant Area Food Bank
• Description: Project of TWU Division of Social Work managed by Student Association for Social Work (SASW). Serves 25-30 students per month.
• Hours: Weekdays 8am-5pm (call first: 940-898-2071)
• Access: No application or approval required to maintain students' confidentiality and dignity
• Objectives: Immediate food needs, short-term food needs, emergency non-food needs
• Website: www.twu.edu/social-work/food-pantry

Texas Wesleyan University - TXWES Food Pantry^19

• Location: First floor of PUMC (Polytechnic United Methodist Church), behind stairwell
• Description: Collaborative effort between Sociology Club and Polytechnic United Methodist Church. Serves all Texas Wesleyan community members - students, staff, and faculty - regardless of financial status.
• Purpose: Addresses food desert in 76105 zip code; provides forgotten meals or snacks for energy
• Management: Student-run with volunteer students, overseen by faculty; semester-long intern manages operations
• Website: www.txwes.edu/academics/artssciences/undergraduate-majors/sociology/get-involved/food-pantry

Baylor University - The Store (Waco Campus)^20^22

• Location: Sid Richardson Building, Room 100 (Paul L. Foster Success Center)
• Description: Campus food pantry serving approximately 1,100 students per week. Received $15,000 university gift in May 2025 for improved programming.
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
• Stock: Groceries (fruits, vegetables, bread, milk, cheese, lunch meats, peanut butter, jelly, rice, pasta, canned foods, ready-to-eat meals, cereal, granola bars) plus personal hygiene and cleaning products
• New Features (2025): Special diet foods, online shopping system, meal swipe donation program
• Philosophy: Every Baylor student should have access to three meals a day; eliminates stigma by normalizing food resources
• Website: www.successcenter.web.baylor.edu/store/pantry

Baylor University - LHSON Store (Dallas Campus)^23

• Location: Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Dallas campus
• Description: On-campus food pantry specifically for nursing students experiencing short or long-term financial hardship
• Stock: Proteins (eggs, cheese, canned tuna/chicken, frozen chicken/turkey/beef, peanut butter, nuts, beans), fresh/canned/frozen fruits and vegetables, carbs (bread, rice, pasta, crackers), meal items (cereal, pasta sauce, microwavable meals, milk), snacks, and non-food items (feminine hygiene products, deodorant, shaving supplies, soap, shampoo/conditioner, school supplies)
• Website: www.nursing.baylor.edu/student-services/lhson-store-food-pantry

Rice University - The Pantry^24^26

• Location: Rice Memorial Center, left of The Chapel (RMC Cloisters)
• Description: Anonymous resource for all students, faculty, staff, and community members operating on good-faith basis
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
• Items: Non-perishable food (soup, proteins, milk, cereal, pasta, rice) and hygiene products (menstrual products, toiletries)
• Additional Support: Rice Swipe Support Program provides meal plan swipes to students with demonstrated need; institutional funding from Housing, Dining & Hospitality and Dean of Undergraduates
• Student Advocacy: Stock the Nest student organization supports pantry and raises food access awareness
• Website: www.success.rice.edu/accessibility-resources/pantry

New Mexico Community College Food Pantries

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) - CNM Food Pantry^27^29

• Campuses: Four locations - Main Campus (KW Building), Westside Campus, South Valley Campus, Montoya Campus
• Description: Launched by CNM Foundation in 2021. Provides fresh fruits and vegetables (from MoGro) and non-perishables (from Roadrunner Food Bank) to currently enrolled CNM students taking at least one credit hour.
• 2023-2024 Impact: 1,103 students and 2,867 family members received support; 26,586 pounds of fresh produce distributed
• Hours: Vary by campus; Main Campus includes Suncat Salon vouchers
• Special Services: Distribution Days on Tuesdays 12:30pm-3:30pm at Main Campus with diapers, food, clothing, toiletries, specialty items (crockpots, hot plates)
• Note: Operates only during academic terms
• Website: www.cnm.edu/depts/dean-of-students/wellness-cnm/food-pantry

Doña Ana Community College (NMSU) - Comfort Casita / Micro Casitas^30

• Location: Espina Campus DASH 109B; Micro Casitas at all DACC campuses
• Description: In-house food pantry for all DACC students, staff, and faculty. Partnership with Casa De Peregrinos provides food baskets with variety of fresh vegetables, meat, canned goods, bread, and pantry items.
• Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-2pm (summer hours)
• Special Services: Micro Casitas available at all DACC campuses; Southern Doña Ana students can access resources in Anthony, Chaparral, and Sunland Park areas; connects students to SNAP, WIC, and community resources
• Website: www.dacc.nmsu.edu/student-services/thrive/food.html

Clovis Community College - Campus Cabinet^31

• Location: Between Allied Health Building and Library on East Campus
• Description: Addresses food insecurities for all current CCC students, staff, and faculty with food and personal care items
• Hours: Tuesday-Thursday (starting Jan 23); specific hours vary by semester
• Services: Food pick-up, SNAP application assistance, bus pass requests
• Additional Resources: Provides food resource calendars for Curry, Quay, and Roosevelt counties
• Contact: 575-769-4920 or Campus.Cabinet@clovis.edu
• Website: www.clovis.edu/campus_cabinet

New Mexico Junior College - Thunderbird Pantry^32

• Location: Hobbs campus
• Description: Provides food assistance programs for students with recipe inspiration page for healthy, budget-friendly meal ideas
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm; Friday 1:30pm-5pm (after-hours by appointment)
• Website: www.nmjc.edu/resource_service/thunderbird_pantry

Santa Fe Community College - Campus Cupboard^33

• Location: Santa Fe campus
• Description: Food pantry for anyone in SFCC community experiencing food insecurity. Addresses that 1 in 5 low-income New Mexicans doesn't know where next meal is coming from. Students struggle to support themselves and families while attending school.
• Access: Open for in-person shopping; email cupboard@sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1775
• Funding: Supported by SFCC Foundation donations
• Website: www.foundation.sfcc.edu/support-campus-cupboard-food-pantry

New Mexico University Food Pantries

University of New Mexico - Lobo Food Pantry (Campus Lobo Food Pantry)^34

• Location: SUB Room 1093 (first floor across from computer lab)
• Description: Free to all currently enrolled UNM students. Market-style pantry where students fill basket with groceries of their choice
• Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11am-4pm (Fall 2025); closed Friday-Sunday
• Access: UNM ID card or valid ID with UNM ID number; bag or box to carry groceries
• Limits: 10 lbs daily limit; sign waiver once per semester; general identifying information tracked for visit frequency
• Partnership: Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico
• Operation: Run primarily on individual donations; closed Fridays for donations and restock
• Website: www.loborespect.unm.edu/services/campus-lobo-food-pantry.html

New Mexico State University - Main Campus - Aggie Cupboard^36

• Location: Las Cruces main campus
• Description: NMSU's in-house food pantry providing free supplementary food assistance to NMSU community (students, faculty, staff)
• Special Event: Pete's Pantry in the Park mobile food pantry events (donations not accepted on these days)
• Requirements: Current NMSU ID; reusable grocery bag/backpack or large bin/box for mobile pantry
• Contact: 575-646-7636
• Website: www.aggiecupboard.nmsu.edu

New Mexico State University - Alamogordo - NMSU-A Food Pantry / Aggie Cupboard^37

• Location: Classroom Building Room 202, Alamogordo campus
• Description: Food pantry open five days a week for NMSU-A students, faculty, and staff
• Hours: Fall Semester - Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm; Friday 9am-4pm
• Special Program: Fresh Food Friday - last Friday of every month with fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, and eggs
• Access: Provide photo ID and Aggie ID number (NMSU-A Campus ID card)
• Contact: 575-439-3600
• Additional Support: Connects to Roadrunner Food Bank SNAP assistance and local food resources
• Website: www.alamogordo.nmsu.edu/student-resources/aggies_cupboard.html

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) - NMT Food Pantry^38

• Location: Socorro campus
• Description: Distributes food to help alleviate short-term food insecurity and reduce stress in support of educational success for students
• Context: Hunger rates in Socorro County surpass national average with 1 in 5 residents experiencing food insecurity, including NMT students
• Requirements: Initial student intake survey required
• Website: www.nmt.edu/studentaffairs/foodpantry.php

Western New Mexico University - One Stop Food Pantry / Mobile Food Pantry^39

• Location: Student Life Lounge
• Description: Monthly Mobile Food Pantry where anyone can get free groceries
• Hours: 12pm-1pm WNMU students only; 1pm-4pm WNMU staff, faculty, and community welcome
• Access: Bring your own grocery bags
• Website: www.alumni.wnmu.edu/events/mobile-food-pantry

The Critical Context

Food insecurity among college students is a widespread crisis that directly impacts academic success. Research shows:^3^1

• 38% of two-year college students and 29% of four-year university students experience hunger even with tuition aid^1
• Texas campuses: Food insecurity rates of 36.1% (Dallas), 45.9% (Houston), and 47.3% (Denton) documented^40
• New Mexico ranks #2 nationally in child hunger and has significantly higher food insecurity than the national average^27
• The inability to afford basic needs is the #1 reason cited by community college students for not completing their education^1

Food insecurity negatively impacts student retention, graduation rates, GPAs, physical health, mental health, and furthers racial divides in academic success. Many campus pantries have been established since 2013-2018 in response to growing awareness of this crisis.^17^3^8

In 2023, Texas passed legislation (HB 4571) establishing a Hunger-Free Campus Program through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, requiring solutions including food pantries, meal credit donations, and SNAP enrollment support.^13 ^41^43^45^47^49^51^53^55^57

⁂