Food pantry open to students, residents

A monthly food pantry at Merced College is open to students and residents alike, college officials announced in a news release on Monday.

The pantry is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Friday of every month at Merced College’s Merced Education Center, what used to be called the Tri-College Center, which is near G Street and Community College Drive.

Students from UC Merced and Merced College can get food from the pantry with a student ID, and residents must show proof that they live in Merced, such as a utility bill, according to Jennifer Hobbs, a foods and nutrition professor.

“While meeting the needs of those experiencing food insecurity, we also provide cooking demonstrations through our Foods and Nutrition Department,” Hobbs said in a news release.

The program is free, according to the release. Foods and nutrition students host cooking demonstrations during the months of September, October, November, February, March and April.

“All of our participants will have the opportunity to taste different recipes and learn new kitchen skills,” Hobbs said.

To participate, students and residents must fill out a form online at http://studentlife.ucmerced.edu/content/food-pantry-sign-form.

In order to be included in the current month’s distribution, participants must complete the form by 5 p.m. on the Monday prior to the distribution, she said.

“If you are unable to pick the food up yourself, please arrange to have it picked up by someone else using the alternate pickup form available on the website,” Hobbs said. “Also, it’s very helpful to bring large reusable grocery bags to transport the food, as you will receive a significant amount.”

The monthly food assistance program offered by the United Way of Merced and the Merced Food Bank is coordinated by UC Merced in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more information, email Hobbs at Jennifer.hobbs@mccd.edu or call her at 209-384-6014.

This story was originally published August 29, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Food pantry open to students, residents."