A Conscious Effort in Basic & Essential Needs

We manage the CPO Food Closet, CPO Basic & Essential Needs Collective, and various other basic needs programs. Our goal is to ensure every Bruin in our community has access to essential resources.

Our Philosophy

We are committed to ensuring that every student has access to healthy, nutritious meals and essential resources throughout their academic journey. Our mission is to eliminate basic and essential needs insecurity by providing inclusive programs available to all members of the UCLA community.

For over 50 years, the Community Programs Office (CPO) has been dedicated to supporting low-income students. A cornerstone of this effort is our food pantry, which helps students maintain their nutrition without compromising their education. Established in 2009 during the economic downturn, the Food Closet has grown from a small initiative into a fully-stocked pantry offering fresh produce, canned goods, hygiene products, and more.

The CPO Basic & Essential Needs Collective continues to oversee these vital programs, working tirelessly to enhance student well-being and success.

Send a Donation

Members of the UCLA community should never have to choose between fulfilling their basic and essential needs and pursuing their education. Your donation helps sustain the CPO Food Closet and supports vital programs through the CPO Basic & Essential Needs Collective and the Community Programs Office.

Your generosity ensures that every member of the UCLA community can access these critical resources anonymously and without judgment.

To make a donation online, please click here.

To make a donation by check, please send to:

UCLA Community Programs Office
Re: Food Closet
Student Activities Center
220 Westwood Plaza, Suite 105
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Checks can be made payable to:
UCLA Foundation c/o CPO Food Closet

Please note: Donors will receive a tax receipt from the UCLA Foundation within a few weeks.

Host a Resource Drive

Get involved today by hosting a resource drive with your department or organization. By utilizing your network, you will join a community of change-makers, working together to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students and the broader Bruin community.