Food Pantry Endowment

Building a Sustainable Future for the Cougar Pantries: A Campaign by Associated Student Government

The Challenge

No student should have to choose between paying a bill and putting food on the table. Yet, right now, too many students and families in our community face that choice. Hunger is a barrier to education, and it threatens the success of those striving for a better future.

The Clackamas Community College Cougar Food Pantries on our campuses have seen an alarming increase in demand over the past year. Despite the commitment of Associated Student Government, who is charged with pantry programming, we cannot keep up with need. In Oregon City, we have seen these challenges:

• Limited food and inconsistent donation access due to transportation challenges.
• There are only two small refrigerators and one freezer for all perishable foods.
• There are no dedicated staff to coordinate food pickups, manage partnerships, and oversee operations.
• No funding is directed toward the pantries, leaving the pantry dependent on annual allocations from student government.

The Long-Term Solution: An Endowment

To ensure this campus and community resource is more financially resilient, Associated Student Government is fundraising throughout the 2025-26 academic year to establish a Cougar Food Pantry Endowment. Endowments can grow year over year, and the students and staff of today and tomorrow can help. As the endowment strengthens, its earnings can evolve alongside student needs and reflect the priorities of the college and student government.

Your gift will contribute to:

• Building the Cougar Food Pantry Endowment to increase stability.
• Funding a dedicated, part-time staff member to oversee operations and partnerships.
• Providing a transportation vehicle to bring in larger, more frequent donations.
• Expand cold storage capacity so we can offer fresh, healthy food choices.

Why Now?

In 2025, our Associated Student Government made a generous $12,000 commitment to the pantry. This shows how deeply students care about one another. We are preparing for tomorrow because budgets change and priorities shift. That’s why your gift matters today. Behind every number is a face: a first-generation student, a single parent, a neighbor balancing multiple jobs. Your generosity means they won’t have to choose between food and education.

Join Us! Your gift today creates lasting nourishment, dignity, and opportunity.