Campus News
The Cantú Queer Center food pantry seeks community support
The Cantú Queer Center seeks donations as student demand hits record levels. Help sustain their 24/7 food pantry by donating nonperishable items to support student wellness.
The Lionel Cantú Queer Center food pantry seeks community support
The Lionel Cantú Queer Center is calling for donations to its food pantry as student demand reaches record levels this academic year. As part of a campuswide commitment to holistic student wellness, the center maintains both indoor and outdoor pantries designed to provide judgment-free access to essential nutrition.
A critical resource for students
The Cantú Center provides one of the few food resources on the campus accessible 24 hours a day. This round-the-clock availability extends throughout the entire year, including breaks, holidays, and summer, and is a cornerstone of the center’s mission to ensure that no student faces food insecurity, regardless of the hour or their circumstances.
By the numbers
- Fall quarter 2025: The outdoor pantry alone served over 600 students.
- Winter quarter 2026 (to date): The pantry has already supported over 400 students.
The current need
While the center celebrates the solidarity shown by campus partners, including recent food drives by UCSC Sports Clubs and Big Queer Events, the rapid increase in student need has begun to exceed sustainable supply levels. To ensure continued access for all, the Cantú Center is seeking donations of high-energy and nonperishable items, such as:
- Granola bars, protein snacks, and ramen
- Instant meals, canned goods, and pantry staples
How to contribute
Community members can support the pantry in several ways. In-person donations can be dropped off at the Cantú Queer Center, located behind Merrill and Crown Colleges next to the KZSC Radio Station, Tuesday through Friday between 1 and 5 p.m. For added convenience, you can also contribute directly through the Cantú’s Amazon Wishlist or make a financial gift via the Cantú Donation Page. These contributions directly bolster the pantry’s shelves and remind students they are supported by a network of care.
Contact Cantú
Whether you have a question, need support, or just want to connect, the Cantú team would love to hear from you.
Email: queer@ucsc.edu
Call: (831) 459-2468
A closer look at the Lionel Cantú Queer Center
Lionel Cantú Queer Center co-creates experiences with and for students, staff, and faculty to challenge cisheteronormative understandings of gender and sexuality. It works to build a more inclusive campus community by providing resources, care, advocacy, and education that disrupt binaries and honor the intersecting realities within gender and sexual diversity. It envisions communities where people of all genders and sexualities can thrive and celebrate their whole selves. Learn more about the Cantu Queer Center.
Resource centers at UC Santa Cruz form a vibrant network of six campus spaces open to all students and are part of the Student Success and Equity (SSE) unit within the Division of Student Affairs and Success. Each center offers its own blend of programs, events, and support services while collaborating across communities to build connection and shared purpose. From academic support and leadership opportunities to welcoming spaces for studying, gathering, or simply taking a break, the Resource Centers help students feel at home. Learn more about the resource centers.
Student Success and Equity (SSE) is a unit within the Division of Student Affairs and Success that brings together a broad range of academic and co-curricular programs designed to advance student achievement and persistence, particularly for students from historically underrepresented communities. From resource centers and tutoring to career development, SSE works to remove barriers, strengthen outcomes, and cultivate a campus environment where all students feel supported and a strong sense of belonging. Learn more about SSE.
Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) advances holistic student development by providing programs, services, and resources that support students’ academic achievement, personal growth, and sense of belonging. Grounded in equity and student success, the division partners across campus to create inclusive environments where all students can thrive. To learn more, visit the DSAS website and follow @ucsc.dsas on Instagram.