The California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus has received a $25,000 Impact Grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation to enhance food access for students facing food insecurity.
This funding will strengthen the campus’s existing DEN Food Pantry and support the addition of a new grab-and-go food refrigerator near the Rancho Mirage Student Center, expanding access to nutritious food options across campus.
“Food insecurity can directly affect a student’s academic performance, physical health and mental well-being,” said Edna Martinez, associate vice president at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. “This grant from the Berger Foundation allows us to enhance and expand a vital resource that supports our students while they pursue their education.”
The grant will increase the availability of staple grocery items at the DEN, including rice, pasta, canned proteins, fruits, vegetables, cereal and other essential items. The new refrigerator will provide convenient, accessible food options in a high-traffic area of campus, ensuring students can easily access support where they already spend time.
“We appreciate that leaders at the Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus were thoughtful in finding ways to expand a program that addresses students’ needs,” said Catharine Reed, vice president of charitable programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. “These upgrades will have an immediate and measurable impact.”
Program success will be evaluated through distribution data, restocking trends and student feedback, with a focus on delivering dignified, reliable access to food for students balancing academic, work and family responsibilities.
The Impact Grant is a partnership between News Channel 3 and the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, which recognizes nonprofit organizations making meaningful contributions to the community. Through funding, service and awareness, the program aims to support initiatives that improve lives across the region.
For more information about Impact Grants, go to www.kesq.com/life/impact-grants.
The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus is dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience in the Coachella Valley. With a focus on academic excellence and community engagement, the campus offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students and the region.
