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Food Insecurity at UTEP

Food insecurity is a reality for many college students, and UTEP is no exception. According to a 2022 study, over 60% of UTEP students identify as food insecure — meaning they lack reliable access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food. UTEP defines food insecurity as the limited availability of food, which may involve reduced quality, variety, or socially acceptable access to meals.

To combat this, the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) sponsors a full-time Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA member who leads efforts to expand food access and build long-term, sustainable solutions. Through initiatives like Pete’s Plate, the UTEP Food Pantry, and Mobile Pantry Mondays, the CCE has made measurable strides in addressing food insecurity:
  • Over $20,000 of economic impact from food distributions
  • More than 600 volunteer hours contributed by students and staff
  • Weekly distributions providing over 600 meals per month at Pete’s Plate
  • Campus-wide outreach to promote sustainable food access solutions 

Meet Our AmeriCorps VISTA: Brianna Cooper

 

Brianna Cooper serves as UTEP’s 2024–2026 AmeriCorps VISTA for Food Security Initiatives through a partnership with Campus Compact. Based in the Center for Community Engagement, she leads efforts to combat campus hunger by expanding food access, building sustainable partnerships, and raising awareness of student food insecurity. 

Her work supports key initiatives like Pete’s Plate, the UTEP Food Pantry, and Mobile Pantry Mondays, while also: 

  • Mapping and connecting stakeholders across campus and the community 
  • Maintaining partnerships such as with The Mustard Seed Café 
  • Leading outreach efforts through events, tabling, and social media 
  • Supporting college-specific and faculty-led food access efforts 
  • Coordinating volunteer programs and data tracking

"I believe that no student should ever have to choose between focusing on school and having access to a nutritious meal. I’m excited to be a part of building long-term solutions here at UTEP."

– Brianna Cooper 

UTEP Food Pantry
Provides dry goods and non-perishable food items free of charge to currently enrolled students.
📍 Visit the UTEP Food Pantry page

Pete’s Plate
A collaboration with The Mustard Seed Café to distribute over 600 prepared meals monthly to students.
📍 Liberal Arts 233 | Wed–Fri | 11 AM–2 PM
📎 Learn about Mustard Seed Café 

Need help finding food on or off campus?
📍 Click here for a full list of resources and an on-campus food access map.

Volunteer to support weekly food distributions on campus.
🔗 Sign up to volunteer

Help Feed a Miner

Support the Food Pantry through in-kind or financial donations.
📞 Call (915) 747-8053 or email foodpantry@utep.edu to donate.
🔗 Donate now

Volunteer Leaderboard 

To celebrate and recognize the dedicated efforts of student volunteers, CCE is launching a Food Insecurity Volunteer Leader Board.

The Leader Board will track volunteer hours contributed to:
  • Mobile Pantry Mondays
  • Food Pantry support and operations
  • Outreach and engagement events
Top volunteers will be highlighted on the website and recognized at an end-of-year celebration. Every hour makes a difference in ensuring no student goes hungry.

Connect With Us

The University of Texas at El Paso
Center for Community Engagement
Physical Address:
1610 Hawthorne
El Paso, Texas 79902

E: cce@utep.edu
P: (915) 747-7969