UC Riverside’s student pantry received its first ever Charity of the Year award. 

The recognition for R’Pantry came from the nonprofit Feeding America Riverside, San Bernardino. In 2020 — during the first four months of the COVID-19 pandemic — R’Pantry distributed over 46,000 pounds of food. 

The pandemic presented many challenges, but staff and volunteers were fueled by wanting to help and serve students, said Daniel Lopez Salas, R’Pantry coordinator. 

At the height of the pandemic, students were still receiving grocery items, including fresh vegetables provided by R’Garden. During the first six weeks of the campus closure, R’Pantry served more than 1,200 students. 

“This generous recognition from our community partner Feeding America of Riverside and San Bernardino is a testament to the deep relationship and interest in our missions to serve our community most in need,” Lopez Salas said. “This recognition demonstrates that we can rise to the challenge to meet the needs of our students and appreciate the reminder and gratitude of the students who we serve and the network that supports us.”