The Mills Food Pantry
The Mills Pantry opened last semester to assist students who are in need of a resource for food. When accessing the pantry, students are not required to pay for food nor prove their need level and are able to use the service once a week.
This serves as an alternative to the other food options on campus such as the Founders Commons and Tea shop.
Located at CPM 103, the pantry is open on Tuesdays from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M., Wednesdays from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M., and Thursdays from 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Students are only required to show their Mills ID and check out the items that they take for the week.
Currently, the pantry is looking for volunteers to help run the service. If interested, students should contact foodaccess@mills.edu.
There are also several other food pantries in the Oakland area. Foodpantries.org is a website that provides a listing of food pantries, food closets, food banks, soup kitchens, food boxes, vouchers and other food-related resources.
Calfresh
Calfresh, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is a food assistance program designated to help people from low-income backgrounds gain access to fresh produce and other healthy foods. Depending on your income, you may qualify for up to $150-$200 per month. To qualify, you must have limited or no income.
To apply, you may go to the Alameda Food Bank or go on foodnow.net. You can also be assisted in completing a Calfresh application by calling 1-877-847-3663.
If you are in an emergent situation, there is an option to receive emergency Calfresh benefits within three days. If your income is under $150 per month when you apply, you are eligible for emergency benefits.
According to Calfresh, benefits are deposited on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and can be used at grocery stores everywhere and some restaurants that accept Calfresh benefits.
Alameda County Community Food Bank
In partnership with Calfresh, Alameda County Community Food Bank helps those living in the local community who are food insecure. They operate a toll-free Food helpline that “connects callers to emergency food providers in their neighborhoods for same-day free hot meals or bags of food.” When using the service, people’s identities are kept confidential and there is no charge.
The help-line is open from Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. It can be reached at 1-800-870-3663 or 510-635-3663.
Anyone living in Alameda County or are in need of access to food is eligible. There is no verification process to use these services.
