This November, as we observe Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 17–24) and prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us reflect on the many families and neighbors in our community who are struggling with food and housing insecurity. Empower Yolo invites you to join us in recognizing this national campaign by participating in educational, service, action, and fundraising activities that raise awareness, offer support, and bring hope to those in need.
According to the Yolo Food Bank, one in three households in Yolo County experience food insecurity—surpassing both state and national averages despite the county’s agricultural abundance.
Students from Empower Yolo’s Woodland Youth Council (WYC), an After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) program focused on leadership and community service, launched a Student Supply Pantry at Woodland and Pioneer High Schools last school year. Funded by a grant from the Superintendent’s Youth Advisory Council (SYAC), the project aims to improve students’ lives both on and off campus.
“Through the SYAC grant, our student leaders were able to capitalize on their passion and dedication to serving their community by starting a pantry so that students would never go hungry while at school and take items home to help their families,” says Daniela Talavera Rangel, Director of Youth Programs at Empower Yolo. “They wanted to provide a pantry that students could utilize without judgment. Equitable access to food, hygiene products, school supplies, and more was their goal—which is why anything students take is free and why they chose to make this project available at both schools.”
The program partners with the Yolo Food Bank and continues to operate throughout the school year. “Staff and students go each week to the food bank to purchase items to restock the pantry and open it four times a week,” Talavera Rangel explained.
She adds, “It’s been great to see our students take on this project to improve their peers’ lives. It’s admirable to watch them invest so much time and effort. They’ve taken the lead in nearly every step—from planning logistics to coordinating directly with the food bank.”
The pantry addresses essential needs that affect students’ well-being and academic success. “Some students were coming to school hungry or didn’t have access to items like hygiene products, snacks, or school supplies,” explains Matthew Alvarado, former President of the Woodland Youth Council at Woodland High School. “Others had families going through tough financial times, which made it hard to afford extra essentials. We noticed that even small things like not having breakfast, deodorant, or notebooks could really affect students’ confidence, attendance, and motivation. The pantry was created to help close those gaps and make sure everyone had what they needed to succeed.”
Alvarado says the project’s impact goes beyond meeting physical needs. “Many students face challenges that make it hard to focus on school—especially when it comes to food insecurity or lacking basic necessities. By creating a supply pantry, we wanted to make sure no student had to worry about where their next meal or essential item would come from. Supporting students’ basic needs helps them feel cared for, reduces stress, and allows them to focus more on learning and participating in school life.”
Equal access for students is one of the project’s priorities. “The pantry is designed to be open and welcoming to everyone,” says Alvarado. “Any student who needs something can take what they need. They just sign in using their school lunch numbers. We stock it regularly with non-perishable foods like granola bars, canned soups, pasta, and snacks, as well as toiletries and school supplies. It’s usually staffed by student volunteers and a member of the ASSETs team.”
The pantry has quickly become a vital campus resource. “By providing access to food and supplies, the pantry eases the financial burden on families and ensures that students have one less thing to worry about,” Alvarado adds. “When students’ basic needs are met, they can focus more on their education, participate in school activities, and feel a stronger sense of belonging. It also shows that our school community truly cares about one another, which builds a positive and supportive environment for everyone.”
The WYC students continue to grow as leaders through this initiative. “Being able to start this project has been incredibly meaningful because I’ve always wanted to help my community and fellow students,” Alvarado reflects. “It showed me how even a small idea can make a real difference in people’s lives. I feel proud to have created something that continues to support others and promotes kindness and compassion among students,” Alvarado said.
Talavera Rangel notes that while the project’s success is clear, expansion remains a goal. “We’d love to get more students involved in Woodland Youth Council and in the pantry,” she says. “Right now, about ten students take shifts each week, but there’s a need for more volunteers to help keep it running smoothly.”
Keeping the pantry open depends heavily on community support. “Since funds to purchase items are limited to the Food Bank—and while they have a great selection for us to stock—the community can help by providing additional donations,” Talavera Rangel explains. “We are actively looking for snacks, frozen products, dairy products, school supplies, canned food, hygiene and menstrual supplies, and more. Without another funding source next year, our Student Supply Pantry may not exist. We rely on our community to help us keep it open and offer a wider variety of items.
The pantry’s importance has only increased due to uncertainty surrounding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. According to the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency, if the federal government shutdown continues into November, CalFresh benefits—entirely federally funded—will be delayed. In September 2025 alone, Yolo County distributed $5.6 million in benefits to nearly 19,000 households, meaning any disruption would have immediate effects on local families.
“With SNAP benefits recently suspended, many families in our community are under tremendous stress trying to figure out how they’ll access basic groceries,” says Talavera Rangel. “For our students, having the Student Supply Pantry available right on campus means they don’t have to travel far or worry about transportation just to get essential items. It provides reliable access to food and supplies while supporting their households by allowing them to take items home. When students are worried about where their next meal is coming from, it greatly impacts their ability to focus in class and feel connected at school. This pantry removes those barriers and ensures students are supported during a difficult and uncertain time for so many families,” says Talavera Rangel.
Empower Yolo continues to provide food distributions at its Davis, Knights Landing, and Yolo sites: Davis Resource Center, 441 D Street, Davis, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 10 a.m.; Knights Landing Resource Center, 9586 Mill Street, Knights Landing, every Tuesday at 8 a.m.; and Town of Yolo, 37750 Sacramento Street, Yolo, every Tuesday at 8 a.m. All sites are walk-up distributions while supplies last; please bring your own bags or cart.
Davis residents may also call the Davis Resource Center at (530) 757-1261 for a monthly STEAC food appointment, and Woodland residents can access the Woodland Food Closet monthly. For additional resources, visit yolofoodbank.org. In the last week of October, Empower Yolo served 145 individuals (430 household members) in Davis, 110 individuals (340 household members) in Knights Landing, and 103
individuals (303 household members) in Yolo. Advocates report seeing a growing number of clients in need.
Community members can support Hunger and Homelessness Awareness efforts by donating to Empower Yolo’s food and housing programs. You can contribute grocery gift cards or non-perishable food items for holiday meals for families at the shelter. To donate or view a list of needed items, visit empoweryolo.org.
During November and Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, we have an opportunity to empower our youth to lead the fight against food insecurity. By taking action together—through awareness, service, and giving—we can create a community where every neighbor has access to food, shelter, and hope.