Texas A&M University
IN-14: Food Bank

The 12th Can is a 501(c)(3) non-profit student organization dedicated to eliminating food insecurity at Texas A&M University.

Our students operate an on-campus food pantry from start to finish. From food orders to product donations to food drives to pantry openings, we do it all. Our members are diverse, coming from a variety of backgrounds, but we are unified in the spirit of service.
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The pantry process is based on a client choice model, where we replicate a shopping experience for our clients. We feel that food insecurity is a humbling problem, and we want to serve our recipients with the highest level of comfort possible.

A partnership with TAMU Urban Farm United enables the pantry to provide hyper local fresh food grown on campus at an aeroponic tower farm.

Pocket Pantries:
The purpose of the Pocket Pantry Program is to provide temporary relief to Texas A&M students in need who are experiencing food insecurity by providing immediate access to non-perishable food and toiletries before directing them to additional support resources on campus. Pocket Pantries are located across campus.

For more information about pocket pantries, please visit https://studentlife.tamu.edu/sas/food-resources/

2024 Update - Continued University Support: 

Source: https://today.tamu.edu/2024/07/12/division-of-student-affairs-receives-1-1-million-to-combat-food-insecurity/ 

The Texas A&M University Division of Student Affairs will receive $1.1 million annually for the next 10 years to help improve food insecurity on campus. The funds will support a multitude of organizations on campus such as The 12th Can, Residence Life and Student Assistance Services.

Of the total, $125,000 will be allocated to 12th Can every year for 10 years. The 12th Can pantry is completely student led and serves Texas A&M students, staff and faculty. The pantry first opened in November of 2013 and has served thousands of Aggies over the past decade. The pantry operates on a client choice model which replicates a shopping experience for clients. Prepackaged bags are also offered for walk-in clients. The funds will allow The 12th Can to purchase food to supplement donations, which will then allow the organization to expand its operating hours.

“The 12th Can is currently exploring ways to make our pantry more accessible to Aggies who may not be able to attend our current hours of operation,” Mazie Johnson, executive director of 12th Can said. “We plan to introduce a food locker system to provide prepackaged bags of food for clients who are unable to attend pantry openings. Additionally, our plan is to increase the number of clients in our pantry during operating hours. Through these changes, we aim to serve more Aggies.”

The Pocket Pantry program, operated by Student Assistance Services, aims to provide temporary relief to Texas A&M students experiencing food insecurity by offering immediate access to non-perishable food and toiletries. Currently, there are 29 Pocket Pantry locations around campus. A $50,000 annual allocation to this program will ensure the pantries remain stocked year-round.

Student Assistance Services, an office within the Department of Student Life, also distributes card swipes and meal plans to students in need. Card swipes help students who run out of swipes on their meal plan to get through the end of the semester. Student Life will receive $30,000 annually, which will provide 1,500 swipes each semester to students in need. Additionally, $75,000 annually will fund 40 meal plans for the fall and spring semesters for students with long-term needs.

Two newer programs will also benefit from the funds. Text Away Hunger, a new initiative, will text students who self-identify as high-risk for food insecurity when leftover food is available from on-campus events catered by Chartwells. The Department of Residence Life will receive an annual allocation of $660,000 to provide live-in resident advisors (RAs) with university meal plans.

“The RA meal plan option helps to address food insecurity through the reduction of financial barriers to attend Texas A&M University and live on campus. We have had staff in the past who needed to leave the RA position or get a second position to help cover the cost of attendance, and this benefit helps to reduce the financial strain on our staff,” Kyle McCracken, senior associate director of Residence Life said. The meal plan also allows a way for students to continue to interact with and engage residents on campus in our dining facilities without having to come out of pocket to build community in the dining spaces on campus.”