As many young adults seek a better life through a college education, hunger shouldn’t be a problem. The Food Bank is here to help.

College is meant to be a time of learning, growth, and new opportunities—but for too many students, it’s also a time of food insecurity. Across Los Angeles County, thousands of college students face the daily struggle of choosing between buying textbooks or groceries. Rising tuition costs, housing expenses, and limited access to well-paying jobs contribute to a hidden crisis: hunger on college campuses.

According to recent studies, nearly 40% of community college students report experiencing food insecurity. In a region as diverse and economically challenged as Los Angeles County, the need is even more pronounced. Hunger doesn’t just impact health—it affects academic performance, mental well-being, and a student’s ability to stay enrolled.

That’s where the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank steps in.

The Food Bank works alongside local colleges with their food security programs by deploying the Mobile Food Pantry (MFP). The MFP travels to food deserts, college campuses, and other areas where access to affordable, nutritious food can be difficult or where the levels of need are very high. 

By working with on-campus pantries, MFPs, and student service organizations, the Food Bank helps students focus on their education and not on where their next meal will come from. Food items not distributed during the MFP distribution are taken to the college’s food pantry to be distributed later or on an as-needed basis. 

Additionally, initiatives like the CalFresh Outreach Team are also critical components of the Food Bank’s strategy, helping eligible students access long-term support through food benefits. With every meal provided, the Food Bank is helping to fuel success in the classroom and beyond. If you, or someone you know, would like to learn more about CalFresh or to register, please complete this interest form, and someone from the Food Bank team will contact you.

For those seeking additional food assistance outside of college campuses, consider visiting our Pantry Locator. With hundreds of partner agencies across the County, food assistance is closer than you think.