From Inception to Eradicating Campus Hunger: The Student LunchBox Saga

The unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic led to the emergence of Student LunchBox (SLB) as a beacon of hope for countless students grappling with the devastating effects of sudden campus closures, job losses, and financial hardships. Established in 2020 by Karlen Nurijanyan, the CEO and Founder, whose personal journey is intertwined with the organization's mission, SLB has become a force for change in the fight against campus hunger.

Karlen's story begins in Armenia, where he grew up in poverty and experienced the daily struggles of food insecurity and hunger. In 2009, he made the courageous decision to immigrate to the United States in search of better opportunities. However, his challenges persisted as he enrolled at Santa Monica College (SMC). As a non-native English speaker, Karlen initially struggled to secure employment to support himself. Relying on financial aid and student loans, Karlen found that the most affordable yet unhealthy food options were vending machine snacks and inexpensive grilled cheese sandwiches. It was then that he realized the immense challenges students face, balancing the demands of academic excellence with the financial burdens of college life. 

Undeterred by the obstacles in his way, Karlen dedicated nearly six hours a day to mastering English, and within a year he was able to communicate clearly with his peers. Through his unwavering determination, Karlen secured his very first work-study job at the Modern Language Lab at Santa Monica College. With expenses for room and board, food, and transportation surpassing $1,400 per month in 2010, financial aid fell short, leaving Karlen with a harsh reality. There was no money left to cover food and essentials like toiletries, hygiene kits, and bedding. Despite applying for the Nutrition Assistance Program, he was denied due to his father's modest income, and the scarcity of nearby food pantries made access to support nearly impossible.

Confronted with these adversities, Karlen set his sights on establishing a program to support college students, who are often overlooked in discussions of food assistance programs. It was during his time at SMC that the idea of Student LunchBox was born, a vision he carried with him as he pursued his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his Master's degree in Public Administration at California State University, Long Beach. Armed with the skills and knowledge necessary to bring his dream to reality, Karlen made the courageous decision to leave his corporate Project Management role when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, recognizing that his true calling lay in building a movement to end campus hunger.

Alongside his business partner Marco Gonzalez, Karlen poured his heart and soul into developing Student LunchBox, working day and night to lay the foundation for an organization that would change the lives of thousands of college students. Karlen invested his entire Economic Impact Payment to kickstart the process of incorporating SLB and beginning operations. 

The journey of Student LunchBox has been made possible through the unwavering support of dedicated donors like Co-opportunity Market, which raised funds for SLB at their checkout registers, enabling the organization to obtain its first cargo trailer for collecting food donations. Partnerships with Food Forward and the Food Bank of Southern California further propelled SLB's growth at an astonishing pace. Throughout this period of rapid growth, Karlen's dedication to the cause never wavered. He continued to work mornings at Trader Joe's and nights driving for Uber Eats, pouring all of his earnings into SLB to keep the organization afloat and ensure its success.

In just two years, Student LunchBox grew from a fledgling initiative to a successful non-profit addressing food insecurity in Los Angeles County. With the endorsement of esteemed supporters, SLB achieved monumental milestones, expanding its services to CSU Long Beach and CSU Northridge as its very first partners. In under three years, additional supporters and donors enabled SLB services to reach an impressive ten institutions by the end of 2023.

What sets SLB apart is its extensive network of partnerships, spanning institutions from San Fernando Valley to Long Beach, including CSU Long Beach, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Northridge, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Valley College, Long Beach City College, CBD College, Wofford Denius UTLA Center for Entertainment & Media Studies, and NYU Los Angeles. This unique initiative underscores SLB's commitment to nurturing the academic and personal growth of every student, regardless of their background or the type of institution they attend.

As Student LunchBox continues to grow, with several waitlisted partners eagerly anticipating the opportunity to receive services from Student LunchBox, including Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Syracuse University Los Angeles, Emerson College, El Camino College, Rio Hondo College, Los Angeles Community College, East Los Angeles College, Montclair State University in Los Angeles, and Ithaca College Los Angeles, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that no student is forced to choose between their education and access to food.

Through the tireless efforts of Karlen Nurijanyan and the dedicated student volunteers at SLB, a brighter future is on the horizon for countless college students across Los Angeles County and beyond. Student LunchBox stands as a testament to the power of personal struggle, unwavering dedication, and the transformative impact of a single vision in the face of adversity.

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Nourishing the Future of Los Angeles. 

At Student LunchBox, we believe that education is the ultimate bridge to opportunity. Since 2020, our 501(c)(3) mission has been to bridge the gap between academic ambition and daily wellness. We partner with the community to provide reliable nutritional support, creating an environment where every student can thrive. Together, we’re building a future where a student’s only job is to learn.

We invite you to participate in this transformative initiative! Subscribe to our newsletter for program updates and consider making a Donation to help sustain our efforts. Together, we can create educational environments where students pursue knowledge without sacrificing fundamental necessities. Become part of our community today!