Student Parent Food Donations (SPFD)

We are the Student Parent Food Donations (SPFD), a group of student parents at UC Berkeley committed to reducing food insecurity among student families. Our team is made up of volunteers who balance coursework, employment, and parenting while still dedicating time to sustaining a community support network in UC Village and the surrounding area. We believe no student should have to choose between feeding their family and pursuing their education, and we work to ensure that every family in our community has access to healthy food.

Our project focuses on supplementing the nutrition of student parents and their children by regularly distributing fresh, nutritious food collected from local neighborhood supermarkets. We also organize community activities and family‑friendly events that strengthen social connections, promote well‑being, and help build a more dignified and supportive environment. Although we collaborate with local organizations, our resources are limited, making this campaign essential to sustaining and expanding our impact.

Funds raised will be used as soon as they are distributed (approximately 4–8 weeks after the campaign closes). Our budget is organized as follows:

•     70% – Nutritious Food Purchases: fresh fruits and vegetables, pantry staples, and culturally relevant foods for families in UC Village and nearby communities.

•     30% – Program Operations & Supplies: storage materials, packaging, and distribution supplies that ensure a safe, accessible, and consistent service.

If we exceed our fundraising goal, additional funds will be used to incorporate more fresh products and strengthen community‑building activities. If we do not reach our goal, every dollar raised will still be used to maintain food distribution and adjust the scale of the project without compromising our core mission. We also continue to work with partners such as Sprouts, Safeway, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods, and we apply for UC Berkeley funding to support the long‑term sustainability of the program.

Fresh food supplies outside of our community center!

Your support makes a real difference. Contributing to SPFD directly helps student families who are navigating financial challenges while pursuing their academic goals. Every contribution—large or small—translates into food, relief, dignity, and opportunities for student parents to continue moving forward without hunger standing in their way.

Thank you for your interest and for supporting our community. Together, we can build a more just, healthy, and caring environment for student families at UC Berkeley.

Contact:

Student Parent Food Donations (SPFD)

sparrfood@gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/spfd.ucvillage/

https://www.facebook.com/fooddonationsprogram

As of February 23, Morris A. Budak '70 and Renee Levie Budak '72 have generously matched $500 in gifts to Student Parent Food Donations. Thank you for doubling your impact and supporting student parents!