Gizmo’s Kitchen is a basic needs distribution center located inside the Griffin Center, offering students assistance with food insecurity and other basic necessities.
While many students are aware of these resources, others who could benefit aren’t informed. Likewise, donations are limited because not enough people are aware of where and how to donate.
The kitchen offers two main food assistance options: Weekly food bags and a monthly food distribution, which is held on the third Tuesday of each month during the fall and spring semesters, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the main quad. The monthly event usually includes fresh produce along with canned and dried goods.
To access these distributions, students must complete a one-time form at Gizmo’s Kitchen.
According to Chanthara and Chandany De Jesus, sisters who work for the kitchen, students are not asked about their income or household occupancy; instead, eligibility is based solely on current enrollment. For return visits, students simply show proof of enrollment through Canvas or Self-Service.
The kitchen also offers weekly hygiene bags, as well as menstrual bags, which do not require a sign-up, distributed as needed.
Donations are vital to keeping the pantry stocked. They can be donated when it’s open, and when the pantry is closed, they can be made in the red bins outside the kitchen, at the ASGC office (60-116) and at the Instructional Deans offices (10-131). Donations can also be made online through the “Donate NOW” link on the Gizmo’s Kitchen website.
The website also includes a pantry shopping list. Donations of hygiene products, canned goods and dried goods are all accepted, along with monetary donations and grocery store gift cards.
Although weekly food distributions have remained steady, the availability of monthly food and hygiene products has fluctuated, according to Chandany De Jesus. She said she has noticed a slight decline in the amount of donations the kitchen was receiving, making consistent contributions even more crucial.
The monthly distributions are no longer what they used to be, which Chanthara De Jesus said she feels has only developed over more recent distributions. Typically, the kitchen receives at least three produce items, along with a box of dried and canned goods.
“Our last distribution, we only had three items, and there were some where we actually had to pull from our own personal supply up here because there wasn’t enough to give out,” she said.
While Gizmo’s Kitchen orders menstrual products directly, it would still benefit from more donations of hygiene supplies, “especially since we used to have the hygiene products, but the problem we were facing was that they were running (out) too fast,” Chanthara De Jesus said.
She added that consistent donations would improve the variety of goods in the pantry. The most commonly donated items are canned, so the pantry could use more dried goods, “just so there’s a little bit more variety of what we have to offer,” Chanthara De Jesus said.
One Grossmont student, who asked to remain anonymous, said the options in the food bags “could be healthier.” Many of the items in the bag are processed foods, such as ramen and mac and cheese, that are shelf-stable.
Beyond food bags and monthly distributions, Gizmo’s Kitchen offers CalFresh support, a clothing closet and monthly bus passes.
Molly Thong, a representative from Jewish Family Services, is available for CalFresh assistance on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. at Gizmo’s Kitchen. This program is designed to help individuals in San Diego County with grocery assistance via SNAP benefits.
The clothing closet allows students to claim up to six items per month, and bus passes are available to students enrolled in seven or more units, Chanthara De Jesus said.
Chandany De Jesus added that it is essential for people to know “that we are here for the students.”
Two Grossmont students who use the food bank but asked to remain anonymous, said they first heard about the kitchen from a professor, emphasizing the importance of faculty spreading awareness to student
Chanthara De Jesus said, “It feels like it’s still a really common thing that people don’t know about us.”
Her sister added, “Or where we’re located.”
Students can learn more about these resources and request assistance through the Grossmont Basic Needs website, where they can fill out a form by clicking the “Request Support” button.
Gizmo’s Kitchen is located in the Griffin Center (60-206). It’s open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The staff is welcoming and happy to help with any questions.
