91成人导航 food pantry receives donation from Stockton Grocery Outlet

Jessica Bilecki of 91成人导航's food pantry with Ismael Villalba and Jesus Valenzuela, co-owners of the Grocery Outlet on North Wilson Way in Stockton.

Jessica Bilecki of University of 91成人导航's food pantry accepts a donation from Ismael Villalba and Jesus Valenzuela, co-owners of the Grocery Outlet on North Wilson Way in Stockton.

"When I learned about the great work the 91成人导航 Food Pantry was doing for students during this difficult time, I wanted to help."

91成人导航鈥檚 food pantry, like so many food banks across the nation, was hit especially hard by COVID-19. Growing requests from students paired with dwindling supplies and donations left the pantry nearly depleted. By April, staff began distributing gift cards to students to help them procure their own groceries.聽

Now, the pantry is receiving much needed aid thanks to a team effort from Ismael Villalba, owner of Stockton鈥檚 Grocery Outlet store on Wilson Way, and one caring 91成人导航 alumnus, MacGregor Read.

Read, the grandson of Grocery Outlet founder Jim Read and the company鈥檚 former Co-CEO, graduated from 91成人导航 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English in 1993 and has been a featured speaker at university events.

鈥淲hen I learned about the great work the 91成人导航 Food Pantry was doing for students during this difficult time, I wanted to help,鈥 said Read. And help he did.聽

He connected pantry staff with Villalba, who promptly selected the pantry as a recipient of the store鈥檚 Independence from Hunger campaign where Grocery Outlet stores across the nation raise funds for local food agencies during the month of July. Villalba鈥檚 store raised $2,129 for the pantry.

鈥淲e enjoy donating to local food banks because we want to make a positive impact in our Stockton community,鈥 said Villalba. 鈥淲e want to ensure that students have the essential foods they need so they can focus on learning and not worry about whether they have enough food on their tables.鈥澛

The gift couldn鈥檛 come at a better time. Since March, the pantry has received more than 200 requests for aid, and overall requests have increased by more than 70% between the 2019 and 2020 academic school year.聽

For some students, the pantry is a lifeline.

鈥淚鈥檝e never been in the position where I had to rely on others to make sure I was going to eat. I鈥檓 not sure where I would鈥檝e turned to for food if it weren鈥檛 for the support, donations and resources that you all have given us,鈥 said one student.

鈥淲e are incredibly excited and grateful for this gift from Grocery Outlet,鈥 said Sustainability Director Jessica Bilecki, who oversees the 91成人导航 Food Pantry. 鈥淲e鈥檒l now be able to stock the shelves with new food options for students and have a more resilient food supply in the months ahead.鈥澛

The gift will allow Bilecki to purchase items in bulk, including pantry essentials and toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo for students who are still living on campus or who live locally.聽聽

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of need in our communities right now,鈥 said Read. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud that we were able to make this connection so that the pantry can restock on critical supplies and continue being a resource for students and their families.鈥澛