Kern County was recently labeled the hungriest county in the nation, and according to Bakersfield College, students are one of the groups most in need.
Since the pantry opened two years ago, the demand has grown more than they ever thought possible.
Every other week, Bakersfield College's student government packs boxes of food, handing them out every Thursday to needy students.
"It's hard. I work two jobs, but it still gets tight around the end of the month with food," said Jonathan Rizziardi, a student at Bakersfield College who uses the food pantry.
The program began in 2010, but has grown from there.
"When they were planning this they knew there was a need there, but I don't think they quite understood the amount of need that there was," said Nick Acosta, a volunteer at the pantry.
At one point, the Renegade Food Pantry served 160 students twice a month. Now they serve 90 to 100, like freshman Brittany Lautner.
"I am getting my own place right now so I am struggling financially," said Lautner.
It's also helping psychology major Jonathan Rizziardi who works, but sometimes has to choose between paying for school and eating.
"There have been times I went hungry when I didn't know about this program. And, if I would have known about it at that time it would have been a big help," said Rizziardi.
The pantry is run and funded by the student government with additional funds coming from voluntary staff payroll deductions.
"When you're worried about what you're going to eat every night you can't study, you can't focus on school," said Acosta.
But, with a box of goodies they're eliminating hunger, one student at a time.
"Obviously, it's not going to give them everything they need, but it can lead them in the right direction," said Lautner.
