The student activities office at Fresno City College is planning a program known as Ram Pantry, a food distribution service to serve students and families in the community.
As soon as they can get the approval of legal counsel from  the State Center Community College District, the pantry will officially open its doors to students and others in need.
“The president of FCC has to give the district legal counsel the plans of the food distribution system, so they can actually take a look at it,” said James Miser, one of the founders of the distribution service.  The college president has given the district counsel the action plan of the Ram Pantry to insure that the food service does not create liability issues for FCC.
The idea first came up in the spring semester, when  Miser collaborated with VP of Inter Club Council Gabriel Cordova, the Disabled Students Program and Daniel Gai, former ASG president.
Over the summer of 2011, Miser and Cordova planned out the concept of Ram Pantry. Once the fall semester started, Cordova submitted the action plan of the Ram Pantry to the Strategic Planning Council for approval. SPC is waiting for the recommendations of the district counsel before approving or disapproving of the plan at their scheduled meeting at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Once Ram Pantry opens its doors, it will be held every month. Students will be able to walk in and receive their commodities which are foods donated by food banks and the community. “Commodities will vary from month to month,” said Cordova.
Cordova said he and his collaborators are trying to set up a referral system in which counselors, EOPS and Disabled Students Services can recommend students to receive help from the pantry. Instructors will also be able to recommend students so they can receive the monthly commodities.
The founders of Ram Pantry said they have seen an increase in the students needing help from the summer. According to Miser, sixty percent of the student population at FCC is below the federal poverty line.
“We will be generating statistics and set up the board of directors to submit something to the college to say these many people need service,” said Miser. “The only reason why we are going through this process is so it won’t go away after a semester or two.”
Miser also said the idea of distributing food to needy students is getting a lot of support. Several clubs were interested in this idea according to minutes generated from ICC meetings. Not only does the idea of the Ram Pantry have student support, it also has much administration support. Interim President Tony Cantu and Michael Guerra, former vice president of administrative services, have been helpful to the process. Miser said, “Tony Cantu has been a great help, and without him, this wouldn’t be getting done.”