Food Pantry

The Food Pantry provides food assistance and referrals to students experiencing food insecurity; any student who is currently enrolled in at least one course at MiraCosta College qualifies for the support. The support consists of either a snack or entrée items. Typical pantry items consist of canned goods (pasta, vegetables, beans, tuna, soups, and fruit), granola bars, crackers, and snack-like items.

The program provides immediate, short-term relief and offers referrals for CalFresh and additional community resources for ongoing assistance with food insecurity. More detailed information about the food pantry is available on the CARE webpage.

Food Pantry services are available on all three campus sites:

• Oceanside Campus: Building 14, First Floor, Room 14111. Phone: 760.757.2121 ext. 2200.
• Community Learning Center: Building 300, Room 331. Phone: 760.795.8710
• San Elijo Campus: Student Center, Building 900 (Student Gathering Space), Room 934. Phone: 760.944.4449 ext. 7475

For service hours, please visit the Food Pantry webpage.

CARE Free Food & Resource Market

In addition to the campus Food Pantry, MiraCosta College offers a free monthly food distribution program known as CARE Free Food & Resource Market. This is a campus-wide collaboration with the San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego to provide access to FREE produce and dry goods.

To access this service, students need their Spartan Pass or SURF ID number. For a monthly schedule, please visit the CARE webpage.

CalFresh Resources

CalFresh (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provides monthly food benefits to income-qualifying families and students. Eligible individuals receive free money for food. Students who are interested in finding out more information about this resource or receive application assistance can visit our CalFresh webpage. 

Local Food Distributions and Food Resources

The San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego provide a wide variety of food resources and local food distributions in a community near you. Food resources include programs like a client choice pantry, emergency food assistance, congregate meals, and more. To find out more information on how to access these resources, visit The North County Food Bank-- Programs or Feeding San Diego--Food Distributions.

Individuals may also dial 211 to speak with a well-trained and live operator to be assisted with finding nearby food resources.  

How You Can Get Involved

Volunteer

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to volunteer their time assisting at our food distribution events. Volunteers are needed to set up, sort produce, bag produce, organize food items, and provide food to students.

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete a volunteer form, which is available from the Volunteer Opportunities page under "How to Get Involved,". For larger groups or programs that would like to volunteer, please contact us about signing up via care@miracosta.edu.

Donate

The MiraCosta Food Pantry and CARE Free Food & Resource Market events are a campus-wide collaboration sustained through Categorical Grant Funds and financial contributions from community, faculty, staff, and students.

We are happy to accept donations of hygiene items and shelf-stable food items at either our Oceanside Campus Food Pantry or Community Learning Center Food Pantry. You may bring the donations directly to a pantry staff member or let a pantry staff member know you would like assistance with bringing the donations in from your vehicle.
View a list of suggested food items to donate here.

If you would like to make a monetary donation, you may donate online at the link below or by check. Please address the check to "MiraCosta College Foundation" and write "100538_GF CARE Program" in the memo line. The check can be mailed to 1 Barnard Drive, M/S 12A Oceanside CA 92056. For more information or questions, contact care@miracosta.edu. Thank you for your generous support!