— Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel (D-San Diego) secured $1 million in state funding for the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Cougar Pantry at California State University San Marcos, supporting an expansion that will help the pantry serve more students across campus.
The Cougar Pantry currently serves more than 300 students per day and distributes more than 11,000 pounds of food per week as part of a broader network of basic-needs resources available to the CSUSM community. The state investment will support the infrastructure needed to meet the growing demand for fresh food, groceries, and other essentials.
“Cal State San Marcos students are working hard to build their futures, and hunger should never stand in the way of that,” said Assemblymember Dr. Patel. “This $1 million investment will help the Cougar Pantry expand its capacity and strengthen the resources students can rely on right here in our community. When students have their basic needs met, they are better positioned to focus on their education and success.”
“As a second-year student at CSUSM, visiting the ASI Cougar Pantry has been something I have looked forward to every week since my very first week on campus,” said Tristan Bugnot, ASI president. “Not only have I personally experienced the relief of knowing where my next meal will come from, but I have also been able to focus on what matters most: being a student. This incredible $1 million donation is more than just a financial contribution; it is an investment in our students, their futures, and their ability to succeed.”
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Dr. Darshana Patel represents Assembly District 76, which includes the cities of Escondido, San Marcos, and northern parts of the City of San Diego, as well as the unincorporated areas of Del Dios, Elfin Forest, Fairbanks Ranch, Harmony Grove, Lake San Marcos, and Rancho Santa Fe. Assemblymember Patel is the Chair of the Assembly Education Committee and serves on the following committees: EDGHI (Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact), Health, Higher Education, Budget, and the Budget Subcommittee #3 on Education Finance.
