Bear Pantry

The Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi, or MTO, Shahmaghsoudi School of Islamic Sufism in Berkeley celebrated the end of Ramadan by donating three tons of groceries and 400 face masks to the Bear Pantry at University Village in Albany.

With about a quarter of UC Berkeley students seeking basic needs assistance, campus and student organizations have worked to address student food insecurity, among other concerns.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some University Village residents have dealt with concerns about paying rent and preventing the spread of the disease.

The Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi School of Islamic Sufism in Berkeley donated 300 bags to the Bear Pantry on May 25 as part of a joint food drive with Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín to celebrate the end of Ramadan and Memorial Day.

The ASUC COVID-19 Financial Relief Committee met Saturday to discuss updates on the allocation of the COVID-19 Financial Relief Fund to various campus organizations.

UC Berkeley announced Monday a new pilot supplemental food assistance card program as an additional component to the current Food Assistance Program. 

The Student Expenses and Resource Survey, or SEARS, from the California Student Aid Commission, or CSAC, reported that 64 percent of students enrolled in California colleges cite “cost of college” or “balancing school and work responsibilities” as obstacles to their success.

An incoming student-parent at UC Berkeley, Cynthia Leimbach faced 48 days without food stamps, a holdup caused by her move from Orange County.

UC President Janet Napolitano announced the launch of the UC Global Food Initiative Tuesday morning, detailing the UC system’s plan to expand food education, maximize sustainable farming practices and reduce hunger at the university, national and global levels.

The UC Berkeley Food Pantry, a collective effort of various organizations around campus, opened its doors on Monday to provide free food to UC Berkeley students facing food insecurity.