When Kaori Sakae, an international graduate student at Montclair State University, discovered the Red Hawk Pantry and Rocky’s Closet on social media, she was surprised to learn about the free resources available. “I didn’t know about these resources…and these are all free? Oh my gosh,” Sakae said. She began volunteering and now serves as a graduate assistant at the Pantry while pursuing her master’s in Nutrition and Food Science.
Sakae credits these services with helping her continue her education. “I was able to pursue my dream education because everyone around me was helping my food security,” she said. “If I was always hungry, thinking about what and how I was going to eat tomorrow, I wouldn’t be able to succeed.”
Research shows that when students’ basic needs are unmet, their academic performance and well-being can suffer. Food insecurity is rising on college campuses nationwide, including at Montclair State University.
Frances Jelks-Brown, Assistant Director of Student Access to Community Services who oversees the Pantry and Rocky’s Closet, noted an increase in demand for support. She cited end-of-semester pressures, limited meal swipes, and interruptions in SNAP benefits as contributing factors. “Food insecurity is a major concern for our students, particularly when we’re nearing the end of a semester; a lot of students start to run out of their meal swipes, and those on SNAP benefits may still not know if they’ll be getting benefits again,” Jelks-Brown said.
In the last six months alone, the Red Hawk Pantry distributed 57,289 pounds of food and essentials—exceeding its total from the previous year.
The Red Hawk Pantry opened in 2016 after surveys indicated that nearly half of college students experience some form of food insecurity. This finding led to the creation of Montclair’s Hunger Free Campus Task Force in 2019. The university became New Jersey’s first four-year institution with an on-campus food pantry—a model now common elsewhere.
Fatima deCarvalho, senior associate dean in Student Development and Campus Life and member of the Hunger-Free Task Force stated: “We are a microcosm of what is occurring in our society, so when you see food insecurities increase in our society, you’re going to see the same concerns on our college campuses.”
Montclair State University addresses this issue through collaboration across departments such as Student Health Center and University Facilities by sponsoring food collection drives. The Pantry provides free food and hygiene products funded by donations and grants but does not receive operating funds from the university itself.
“We are able to meet the need, but needs continue to grow,” deCarvalho said regarding resource limitations that require restricted hours and item limits per visit.
Key partners include student volunteers from the Food Recovery Network who work with Gourmet Dining staff to recover leftover meals for distribution at the Pantry. Fresh produce comes from Gourmet Dining as well as Montclair Campus Community Garden. Jelks-Brown explained: “Students come in, we give them a bag, and they leave with fresh fruits and vegetables.”
Jennifer Bostedo from Gourmet Dining described their NOURISH program: “Our numerous dining venues follow suit, to make sure students have access to the best balance and value to fuel a great Red Hawk day.”
Additional support comes from organizations like Community Food Bank of New Jersey along with regular contributions from local businesses such as Inserra Family ShopRite stores.
International students face extra challenges due to limited aid eligibility or transportation issues. Ahmed Moussa—a legally blind student—said staffers provide accommodations like flexible hours: “They’ve been a great help.” Adela Caceres added that efforts have been made to create a welcoming environment: “Our student staff are trained to approach every single visitor with a welcoming demeanor…as they seek support.”
Sakae described working at Red Hawk Pantry as both educational and rewarding: “Every day is a new learning…Having all different kinds of food and being able to help them is really…rewarding.”
Recently Montclair received $52,000 from New Jersey’s Office of Secretary of Higher Education for opening another pantry serving Bloomfield College students while expanding existing programs.
Besides Red Hawk Pantry—which requires registration—students have access to shuttle service for grocery shopping; recovered prepared meals via Food Recovery Network; redistribution programs for catered event leftovers; fresh produce through campus gardening; Swipe Out Hunger meal swipe donations; registered dietitian counseling; donation-driven parking citation reductions (Cans for Citations); among other initiatives.
deCarvalho summarized: “If you don’t have money for food…you probably don’t have money for toiletries…it’s important that we make those items available.” Sakae echoed this sentiment: “Being a graduate assistant at Red Hawk Pantry is deeply meaningful because beyond food insecurity…I’m assisting…the academic success…and life success…of students.”
Montclair State University serves more than 23,000 students across several New Jersey communities including Montclair, Little Falls, Clifton,and Bloomfield. The institution offers undergraduate,graduate,and doctoral programs across fields such as arts,sciences,and education. Over half its student body consists of underrepresented minority groups,making it New Jersey’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institution.The university emphasizes academic excellence,community involvement,and social mobility.
