Iyanna Waring – the CPO Associate Basic & Essential Needs and CalFresh Manager – is here to assist you. She can be reached at iwaring@cpo.ucla.edu

CPO Basic & Essential Needs Collective

The CPO Food Closet, established in 2009, has brought national attention to conversations around basic and essential needs on university campuses. Following a Spring 2019 visit with former Chancellor Gene Block, CPO embarked on a series of renovations to expand the CPO Food Closet into the CPO Basic & Essential Needs Collective, which opened in Summer 2022.

The CPO-BNC brings together various services, including the Food Closet, a kitchen space with microwaves, toaster ovens, and a sink, café seating that hosts CPO Study Hall, a TV watching space, a computer lab, commuter locker program, and a waiting area for the CPO Commuter Van Service. The Collective also features an expanded pantry space.

Starting Fall 2024, the Collective will include refrigerated lockers to store medications and perishable food, further supporting students’ needs.

For more information about UCLA basic and essential needs services, visit basicneeds.ucla.edu.

Our Two Pantries: CPO Food Closet & Collective Pantry

The CPO Food Closet (opened in 2009) and the Collective Pantry (opened in 2022) provide food and other basic necessities to students facing financial challenges. These services operate anonymously and accept donations to support their daily operations.

For more information, visit our Instagram.

CPO Basic & Essential Needs Collective Lounge

The CPO Lounge, which opened in January 2004, provides a space for students to study, relax, and enjoy snacks. It features comfortable seating and acts as a community hub for student interaction and resource access.

CPO Computer Lab

The CPO Computer Lab, which first opened in October 2001, offers access to 16 state-of-the-art computers, two high-capacity black and white printers, and high-speed internet. Refurbished in 2022, the lab provides modern equipment and ample outlets for charging devices.

The CPO Computer Lab is available for use to all UCLA students with no charge. Each student is allotted 150 duplicate prints (75 sheets) per quarter with a maximum of 100 pages (50 sheets) per job. The CPO Computer Lab is one of few free printing resources on campus.

Students must log in with their MyUCLA logon to access the computers.

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00am to 8:00pm, reopening for Study Hall from 8:30pm to 12:00am. Friday hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm. Closed on weekends and holidays.

CPO Commuter Student Locker Program

Launched in 2004, the CPO Locker Program supports commuter students by offering secure storage while attending classes. For more information, please contact Perzia Devoux at pdevoux@cpo.ucla.edu and cc Iyanna Waring iwaring@cpo.ucla.edu

Submit Request

CPO Refrigerated Lockers Program

Starting in Fall Quarter 2024, refrigerated lockers will be available for students to store perishable food and medications. This initiative, supported by CalRecycle, is particularly useful for students using the Food Closet or bringing meals from home.

To reserve a locker, please contact Iyanna Waring at iwaring@cpo.ucla.edu.

Submit Request

CPO Basic Needs Collective Kitchen Space

The kitchen, which began operating in Fall 2004, provides students with microwaves, toaster ovens, and other cooking amenities. It supports student well-being by allowing them to prepare meals on campus.

CPO Monthly Produce Fairs

Starting in Fall Quarter 2024, the CPO’s Monthly Produce Fairs, in partnership with Food Forward, will offer students access to locally sourced produce each month. This initiative supports healthy eating habits while helping to alleviate hunger by providing nutritious options directly on campus.

To learn more about this program, please contact Iyanna Waring at iwaring@cpo.ucla.edu.

CPO Food Cart Program

The CPO Food Closet Food Cart Program, which began during Fall 2021, provides convenient access to nutritious food by delivering it directly to students through partnerships with various campus departments. This service is designed to support students facing financial challenges and make food access more seamless.

We currently have satellite CPO Food Closet locations at the following centers:

  • Academic Advancement Program (AAP)
  • Center for Accessible Education (CAE)
  • BruinHub at John Wooden Center
  • Transfer Student Resource Center
  • Luskin School of Public Affairs
  • Graduate Students Resource Center
  • LGBTQ Campus Resource Center
  • Pacific Islands’ Community Center (PICC)
  • Undocumented Center
  • Bruin Resource Center
  • Center for Accessible Education (CAE)
  • UCLA Teaching Kitchen
  • Dashew Center
  • Latinx Success Center
  • UCLA Military Science (ROTC)
  • Resilience in your Student Experience (RISE) Center
Departmental Interest Form

CPO Turkey Day (November) & Holiday (December) Food & Grocery Box Programs

Since 2016, the CPO Food Box Giveaway Programs have provided winter holiday meals to students and their families. During the pandemic, it expanded to include staff and retirees.

2025 TUrkey food Box Giveaway

CPO CalFresh (SNAP Program) Initiative

CalFresh provides monthly grocery support for students. The CPO CalFresh Initiative assists with eligibility awareness and application help through events and weekly hours.

For more information, visit our Instagram.

Bruin Bites

Beginning fall 2024, the Bruin Bites program is an opt-in service designed to notify students about campus events or meetings offering leftover food. By participating, students receive electronic alerts when food is available, helping to reduce food waste while addressing hunger on campus.

This initiative promotes sustainability and ensures students have access to additional food resources throughout the academic year.

For more information, please contact Samantha Magpusao at smagpusao@cpo.ucla.edu

CPO Grocery Bundle Program

The CPO Basic & Essential Needs Grocery Bundle Program provides students weekly grocery packages during designated weeks throughout the quarter. Students must complete an application and submit required materials to participate in the program.

Learn More Here

CPO SmartRides Study Hall Van Service

Our evening Study Hall Van Service, which began in March 2000, provides safe rides for students studying late. The service runs Monday–Thursday from 8:30 PM to 12:00 AM, within a 10-mile radius.

For more information, contact Perzianée Devoux at pdevoux@cpo.ucla.edu.

CPO SmartRides Extreme Commuter Van Service

The CPO SmartRides Commuter Van Service, which began in Fall 2009, offers rides home for students within an 11-35 mile radius. Students must submit their study list and the van service application by 12:00 PM for same-day service.

Sign Up Form

COVID-19 Online Food Card Program (March 2020 to March 2022)

The Food Card Program is a temporary online effort intended to provide critical support to our students despite the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 crisis. The food card program distributes three $100 food cards throughout each quarter to qualified students. These cards are available for use at Ralph’s, Food 4 Less, or Kroger depending on the distribution cycle. The intent of these food cards is to supplement student financial aid support and CalFresh benefits, as the CPO Food Closet typically does in a virtual format to accommodate campus changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

University Apartments Food Box Giveaway (March 2020 to March 2022)

During Summer 2020, CPO’s basic needs team worked with Residential Life staff to develop and disseminate a survey to residents in the University Apartments North and South (UAN and UAS, respectively) to better understand how to collectively address gaps in their basic needs. As a result, we developed a Summer Food Box Giveaway (2020) for UAN and UAS residents where students have the opportunity to secure a box full of staple food items.

This program is designed to serve students who may have dependents or extended family requiring support.