Whereas, the Associated Students of the University of California, Irvine (ASUCI) is a student body that supports student initiatives that benefit the UC Irvine students; and,

Whereas, there is currently a student-initiated movement to push for a food pantry/food bank at UC Irvine that can provide students free non-perishable food; and,

Whereas, there is currently an on-going hunger problem amongst UC Irvine students and this food pantry hopes to alleviate that problem by providing food to those in need; and,

Whereas, the leaders that are in the movement include:

• Alexander Fung (Retention Coordinator, UC Irvine Student Outreach and Retention Center)

• Jennifer Lima (Social Sciences Representative, ASUCI Legislative Council)

• Jessica Figueroa (Working Class Caucus Chair, United States Students Association)

Whereas, these student leaders have successfully acquired the funding from UC Irvine Sustainability, a total of $2,500 USD, under the Global Food Initiative to start the food pantry at UC Irvine; and,

Whereas, it is the duty of these student leaders to secure a proper space, support, people power, and resources to open up the food pantry; and,

Whereas, ASUCI Legislative Council passed Resolution 50-22 (R50-22) on November 6th, 2014 with a unanimous vote to support the SOAR Center’s initiative to push for the food pantry; and,

Whereas, the initiative to start a food pantry at UC Irvine has been supported by students and staff members from UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Merced, and UC Davis; and,

Whereas, these student leaders have approached ASUCI Office of Administrative Affairs for support and requested permission to collaborate with the ASUCI Office of Administrative Affairs; and,

Whereas, ASUCI Office of Administrative Affairs has shown interest and willingness to collaborate with these students; and,

Whereas, the 2014-2015 ASUCI Vice President of Administrative Affairs John Delshadi has pledged support to the UC Irvine SOAR Center and demonstrated willingness to assist the SOAR Center, in regards to the food pantry initiative; and,

Whereas, these student leaders have demonstrated leadership skills that are necessary to lead students through their involvements; and,

Whereas, many students on campus have shown support and interest in starting a food pantry at UC Irvine; and,

Whereas, these student leaders are need of a commission that oversee the food pantry; and,

Let it be resolved that, ASUCI Legislative Council supports these student leaders in starting a food pantry at UC Irvine; and,

Let it be further resolved that, ASUCI Legislative Council supports the creation of the Student-Initiated Food Pantry Commission (FPC) under the ASUCI Office of Administrative Affairs; and,

Let it be further resolved that, ASUCI Legislative Council acknowledges and approves the appointment of the following students to the FPC:

• Commissioner: Alexander Fung

• Assistant Commissioners: Jennifer Lima and Jessica Figueroa

Let it be further resolved that, ASUCI Legislative Council acknowledges that FPC would not require any additional funding allocations for the 2014-2015 academic year from ASUCI since these student leaders are operating on their own budget for this academic year through the Global Food Initiative (GFI) grant by the UC Irvine Sustainability Department; and,

Let it be further resolved that, ASUCI Legislative Council acknowledges that FPC would begin its operation and planning process immediately once this new commission has been approved; and,

Let it be finally resolved that, ASUCI Legislative Council continues to support the initiative to push for a food pantry on-campus that is able to serve non-perishable food for UC Irvine students.

Sources of Evidence:

1. http://www.sustainability.uci.edu/Engagement/uc-global-food-initiative.html

2. http://www.sustainability.uci.edu/Engagement/UC-global-student-fellowships.html

3. https://asuci.uci.edu/legislative/legislations/print.php?cnum=R50-22&gov_branch=ASUCI