Basic Needs takes a holiday

Cal State Monterey Bay’s Basic Needs Hub, a support program for students, will be closing for winter break. The student pantry, which provides food, clothing and emergency housing services, will be open during its regular noon to 4 p.m. hours through Dec. 20. It will reopen Jan. 13.

“We were open a little bit more last year,” said Amy Zamara, director of Care and Basic Needs. “This year, because of staffing and budget, we had to cut back.”

She is encouraging students who use the service to stock up on non-perishable items for the holiday period and to take advantage of other benefits. Giving Tuesday and Feed Each Otter donations have left Basic Needs with meal vouchers that students can use at the campus dining commons. 

“If any students are having any concerns, if they can reach out to us, we can help them prepare,” Zamara said. 

She added that the pantry recently received a delivery from L.A. Foods, a wholesaler, which added canned soups, canned vegetables and Corn Flakes to the inventory. 

The holidays, she said, can be a great time for donations to Basic Needs, which can be monetary or material. There is a need right now for breakfast items, winter clothing and formal wear, in anticipation of the Winter Formal Ball and the All Black Gala.