Spartan Food Pantry

The Spartan Food Pantry is a walk-in, full-service, staffed, food assistance program offering non-perishable goods, fresh produce, and refrigerated items to eligible students.

Volunteer info in FAQs

Much of our food provided is donated in partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. View our donation guidelines for ways to support us.

Fall 2024 Operating Hours (Until December 13, 2024)
Monday-Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm

Location:

Diaz Compean Student Union (exterior entrance across from Engineering Rotunda)

Fall 2024 Eligibility:

• Student must complete intake form and be approved to use. 
• Currently enrolled in Fall 2024 courses.
• Currently experiencing hunger/food insecurity.
• Must have an annual income of $34,263* or less (no documentation required)
• Must bring your Tower ID & reusable bag(s) every time you visit the pantry. If you do not have your Tower ID you should inform the Bursar's Office you need it to access the pantry.

How Spartan Food Pantry Works 

Step 1: Check In

• Complete the Spartan Food Pantry Intake & Agreement Form. This must be completed before the first visit of each academic semester.  
• Once approved, create an account in PantrySoft via link found in your confirmation email.

• Check in (staff scan your SJSU Tower ID card verifying you are currently enrolled)

Step 2: Shop

• Grab a basket and shop for items within our zones. All items are based on availability. We'll let you know if there are any limits per zone on that day.
  • Fresh Produce Zone
  • Dry Goods Zone
  • Cool Zone
  • Toiletries & More Zone
• For health reasons, only touch what you will take.
• Some high-demand items have quantity limits so we can ensure all students get an opportunity to select. Some grant-purchased items are limited to the eligible student (not family use). Always ask if you need more of any item, remembering you can return each calendar week.

Step 3: Check Out

• Bring basket to counter to check out with staff
• Bag items (in the re-usable bag you've brought).

We highly encourage students to ask a staff member or look online if they don't know how to prepare a food. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

• How can I volunteer?

  • ** Volunteer shifts will be available by September 3, 2024***

    Volunteer positions help keep our pantry running by assisting with tasks such as stocking/inventory management, cleaning, compost trips, etc. Volunteers can only sign up for one shift per day. Please note that due to our small size, we are not able to accomodate large group volunteering. However, we encourage groups to consider volunteering at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, which provides the majority of our food and always needs volunteers!

    1) It's easy to View Opportunities & Sign Up using a Google/gmail account. Use the Volunteer Selection link to find a volunteer spot that you can fulfill. Clicking SAVE will reserve your spot and place it on your Google calendar automatically.

    That is your confirmation; we do not send additional confirmations or reminders. We anticipate seeing you at the time/date you select.

    2) Complete our Volunteer Waiver Agreement online as soon as you sign up. The waiver is good for the entire year.

    3) Watch this Volunteer Orientation Video before arriving.

     

    Volunteers must be able and willing to:
    •Be in good health the day of their shifts  
    •Stay home if you feel OR think you may be sick. 
    •Wear pants, closed toe shoes; appropriate and clean attire
    •Be able to wear latex gloves
    •Control longer hair; If hair is shoulder length or longer, hair is highly encouraged to be in a ponytail  
    •Ability to lift, move and/ or carry up to 50 pounds; push 100 pounds on a cart
    •Follow provided food and personal safety guidelines
    •Adhere to privacy and confidentiality guidelines while embodying a socially just environment for student participants to feel welcome
    •Volunteer for the full shift
    

    •Be prepared for current outdoor weather; some volunteer roles may be outside

     

    General questions or group volunteering please email spartanfoodpantry@sjsu.edu.

     

    Non-Affiates/Community Members: Complete required Volunteer Self-Certification of Vaccination Status Form before volunteering. 

    Besides volunteering, there are other ways you can give assistance. 

• What do I need to know about USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Requirements? 

  • In June 2020 the Spartan Food Pantry became part of the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).  

    Staff or the Pantry User Registration form may ask and record information such as your name, address, household size, and other minimal information regarding your household. You providing this information to staff acknowledges your consent to share this information with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. 

    Second Harvest is using TEFAP so that we can continue to distribute food to eligible students.

    Please see our poster at the pantry for more information on non-discrimination statements.

    This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

    Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

    Cơ sở này là nơi cung cấp cơ hội bình đẳng.

• How often can students come to the pantry?

  • Eligible students are permitted to come to the pantry once per calendar week.

• What should I know about expiration dates?

  • There are multiple types of dates (best by, use by, produced on, etc.) associated with food products in the U.S. Most consumers do not know the difference. If you have questions, please ask a staff member or review information available from Second Harvest of Silicon Valley or the USDA.

    Most foods are safe to eat much longer than product dates. See handouts in the pantry for recommendations. 

• Do I need to have my Tower ID on me?

  • Yes. Students without a Tower ID might not be able to be served. If you are a currently enrolled student who has permanently misplaced your ID card, contact the Bursar's Office for a replacement.

• Will the pantry track my volunteer hours? Who can sign off on completed hours?
  • It is the responsibility of the volunteer to track their own hours. If you are part of a program that has a requirement/timesheet/documentation please be sure to have that with you. Check-in with the person who is requiring you to do hours for a timesheet form or create your own.  Know that the Basic Need Coordinator, Brenj Cuneta, will sign your hours off, not the student staff in the pantry.  
     
    So please plan accordingly.  Email spartanfoodpantry@sjsu.edu in advance so they can review your hours prior to your arrival; provide # of hours you were required, any deadlines you have, and dates/times you have volunteered. 
    
     
    Many students volunteer for their own fulfillment and therefore do not need any verification/signatures. 
• Is the Pantry open to non-citizen/resident students?
  • Yes, given that the student also fits the Spartan Food Pantry User eligibility criteria for the semester.
• How did the pantry get started?
  • More information on the history of the Student Hunger Committee, early food shelf efforts, monthly distributions and more can be found on the "Data & Reports" page of the SJSU Cares website.  Our public proposal to university administrators is also a great synopsis.  
• What other community resources can I go to for food assistance when the Spartan Food Pantry is closed?

  • During our times of closure, please be guided by the following community resources for food assistance.

    • Second Harvest
      • Second Harvest of Silicon Valley provides food assistance to those in need throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. They offer various programs, including food distribution, CalFresh assistance, and nutrition education.
      • Contact Information:
        • Address: 750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
        • Phone: 408-266-8866
        • Website: shfb.org
        • Food locator: shfb.org/get-food/#tool
    • Sacred Heart Community Service
      • Sacred Heart Community Service offers food, clothing, housing assistance, and other support services to low-income individuals and families in San Jose. They provide both emergency and long-term assistance.
      • Contact Information:
        • Address: 1381 S. First St., San Jose, CA 95110
        • Phone: 408-278-2160
        • Website: sacredheartcs.org/programs-food-clothing
          
          
    • Martha’s Kitchen
      • Martha's Kitchen serves hot meals to any individual in need (Schedules are posted online). They also distribute boxes of groceries every Tuesday from 5 pm to 6 pm.
      • Contact Information:
        • Address:  311 Willow Street, San Jose, CA 95110
        • Phone: 408-293-6111
        • Website: marthas-kitchen.org
          
          
    • Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen
      • Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen offers hot and nutritious meals to low-income individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County five days a week.
      • Contact Information:
        • Address: 1500 Berger Drive, San Jose, CA 95112
        • Phone: 408-922-9085
        • Website: loavesfishes.org/find-a-meal
    • 2-1-1 Bay Area
      • 2-1-1 Bay Area connects users with referrals to non-emergency needs like housing, food, shelter, utility assistance, legal assistance, and more.
      • Contact Information:
        • Phone:
          • Call 2-1-1
          • Text your Zip Code to 898211
        • Website & Food Locator: 211bayarea.org/topics/food

     

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*Income limits are set by US Government at 235% of the Federal Poverty Line. $2,855.25 monthly for individuals of a household of 1; add $1,006.59 each per additional household member. Please ask if you have questions.