The TrailBlaze Cupboard, an essential component of the San Juan College Food for Thought program, recently received a transformational donation from ECHO Food Bank.
A Strengthened Partnership Supporting Student Wellness and Food Security
This gift expands capacity, improves day-to-day operations and strengthens a community partnership focused on supporting student food security.
This impactful donation not only enhances the way the TrailBlaze Cupboard serves students but also reflects a shared mission between San Juan College and ECHO: ensuring every student has access to nutritious, reliable food resources.
Removing Barriers and Reducing Stigma Around Food Insecurity
Food insecurity remains a widespread challenge for college students across the country. At San Juan College, staff members are committed to fostering an environment where students feel comfortable seeking support.
Senior Director of Student Outreach, Advising, and Retention Alicia Schulz emphasized this mission, noting:
“At San Juan College, we’re working hard to remove the stigma around food insecurity and make it clear that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our partnership with ECHO Food Bank allows us to connect students with the resources they need.”
This partnership creates a stronger, more accessible support network that directly impacts student well-being, retention, and academic success.
A Wish List Turned Into Action
During a collaborative meeting between the TrailBlaze Cupboard team and ECHO Food Bank, staff were encouraged to create a wish list of equipment that would improve operations and enhance the student experience. The list included items such as:
- A pallet jack
- A refrigerator unit
- An upgraded freezer
The TrailBlaze Cupboard team expected to receive support for one or two items. Instead, ECHO Food Bank delivered an extraordinary surprise: every item on the list had been ordered, a gesture that left staff deeply moved and immediately transformed the pantry’s capabilities.
Equipment That Elevates Service and Safety
Each donated item is already making a measurable difference in operations:
The upgraded freezer is especially meaningful, offering a more visible and inviting way to display frozen items. Students can now easily browse a wider variety of nutritious options.
Receiving and unloading deliveries from ECHO is now significantly safer and more efficient thanks to the new pallet jacks. Staff and volunteers can manage larger quantities of food with greater ease.
The additional refrigerator has increased the Cupboard’s capacity for temperature-regulated foods, including recent donations of milk from an anonymous community member. This expanded refrigeration supports healthier choices and reduces waste.
ECHO Executive Director Laura Watson shared the organization’s enthusiasm for the collaboration:
“ECHO is delighted to donate additional refrigeration, shelving units, pallet jacks and shelf-stable food to help nurture the students at San Juan College. These students are the next generation of leaders in our community.”
Growing Toward a Future of Fresh Food Access
Looking ahead, Food for Thought specialist Marianna Kleiner-Childers envisions the TrailBlaze Cupboard extending into the campus greenhouse and outdoor garden spaces to provide students with fresh, campus-grown produce.
Marianna expressed heartfelt gratitude for the partnership:
“Appreciation for ECHO goes far beyond the donation itself. They show up. They care. To live in a community that supports people so deeply is something truly amazing.”
Join Us in Supporting Student Food Security
The TrailBlaze Cupboard is more than a food pantry, it is a lifeline for students who are working toward brighter futures. With partners like ECHO and the support of community members, SJC continues to expand access to nutritious food and essential resources.
Together, we can ensure that every student has the nourishment they need to succeed.
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