Fighting Campus Hunger In Los Angeles with Student LunchBox

What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity, a term defined by the USDA , is the economic and social condition that signifies limited or uncertain access to adequate food. It embodies the fear of depleting food supplies before securing more, and is characterized by a compromised diet quality, variety, or desirability. This condition often leaves individuals unsure of their next meal, highlighting the struggle to consistently access the necessary food for a healthy life.

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Recent Data

Student LunchBox is acutely aware of the growing challenge of food insecurity affecting college students across Los Angeles, California. According to the California Student Aid Commission, food access barriers now affect nearly 2 out of every 5 students, making it harder to meet basic needs and stay focused academically. The Commission’s 2022–2023 findings show that 66% of students report experiencing food insecurity, a sharp increase from 39% during the 2018–2019 academic year.

How do we fight college food insecurity?

Student LunchBox (SLB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supports college students across Los Angeles, California by addressing food and basic needs insecurity.

Our mission is to ensure that every student has access to nutritious food and essential resources such as clothing, toiletries, and hygiene items needed to maintain well-being and succeed academically.

Through strategic collaboration with local businesses, community organizations, and supporters, SLB rescues high-quality food and essential goods that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes them to students navigating basic needs challenges.

Cool fact

Did you know?

Student LunchBox is powered by the passion, leadership, and commitment of more than 200 student staff, ambassadors, and volunteers from college communities across Los Angeles each month. These student leaders drive every part of our organization, from web design and marketing to operations and weekly distributions, united by a shared mission: to ensure students have reliable access to food and essential basic needs support throughout their academic journey.

Driven by a shared passion for philanthropy, our student ambassadors are not only fighting food insecurity by our side but are also working toward our vision of increasing college graduation rates and fostering a movement of community solidarity, where students uplift one another for a brighter future.