El Mercado-Food Pantry
El Mercado-Food Pantry at Gavilan College is here to provide essential food support to students and community members. Whether you need emergency food assistance or regular access to nutritious options, we’re committed to helping those in need. Please review our Mercado Guidelines to ensure a smooth and efficient experience when accessing our services.
- Sign-In Requirement:
- All individuals are required to sign in for El Mercado/Food Pantry services.
- Create a PanrtySOFT account using the QR code below.
- Limits and Regulations:
- Snacks: Participants may receive up to 2 snacks per day.
- Hygiene: Each participant is eligible to receive one item from each toiletry type per day.
- Meal Credit: Refer to the button below for more information.
- Farmer's Market: Open to the community. Registration located in the button below.
- Family Bags: Available to the community. Participants may receive up to 2 family bags per month.
Gavilan College no longer uses the drive-through food distribution model. Instead, we moved to a Farmer’s Market-style model at the Gilroy campus.
Why the change?
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More Choice: Students can select the items they want instead of receiving a pre-packed box.
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Less Waste: Take only what you want.
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Fresh & Varied Options: Enjoy fresh produce, pantry staples, and dry goods twice a month.
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Community Feel: A welcoming, market-style environment that allows you to shop with dignity.
Details:
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When: Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 1:30–3:00 PM; with the exception of December 18th and January 1st. We will be close on those days.
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Where: North side of the Student Center, Gilroy Campus
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Parking: Handicap parking in Lot F; additional parking in Lot E
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Tip: Bring a cart or wagon to make carrying items easier
What is a Family Bag?
Family Bags are available to the community and help support students and their families with essential groceries.
Details:
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Each participant may receive up to 2 Family Bags per month.
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Bags are filled with food items provided by Second Harvest or the Community Food Bank of San Benito County.
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Students can select their own items, choosing from a variety of grains, canned goods, frozen, and refrigerated foods.
What is CalFresh?
CalFresh, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low income. It also delivers economic benefits to communities, serving as California's largest food program and an essential hunger safety net.
Need Help Applying for CalFresh? Get One-on-One Support!
Heidi, a representative from Second Harvest, will be on campus to help students complete their CalFresh food benefit applications.📅 Every 3rd Thursday
🕚 By Appointment
📍 El Centro – Gilroy Campus
Eligibility Requirements
- Students enrolled (6 units or equivalent in hours) for Summer 2025 who have an SAI of -$1,500 or less are eligible to receive:
- $80 for August 25th-September
- $80 for October
- $80 for November
- $80 for December
Access Instructions
Credit Students: If deemed eligible by Financial Aid Office, you will be automatically enrolled. No need to visit El Mercado or Food Pantry. Go directly to the Gilroy or Hollister cafeteria and use your G# to access your funds.
Non-Credit Students: Please visit El Mercado or Food Pantry each semester to sign up for meal credit program. Two days after enrolling, you can go directly to the Gilroy or Hollister cafeteria and use your G# to access your funds.
Checking Your Balance- WM Cafe
- If your G# does not pull up your information at the cafeteria, please stop by the Food Pantry or El Mercado to determine the issue.
- If your G# does pull up your information, you will see a "house account balance."
- The house account balance reflects how much you have already spent.
- A zero house balance means you have not yet used your meal funds.
Important Information
- Automatic Removal: If the Financial Aid Office determines you are ineligible for the following month, you will be automatically removed from the program.
- Usage Policy: If a student runs out of funds before the next distribution cycle, they are not eligible for another meal credit during that period.
- Enrollment Turnaround Time: For sign-ups submitted Monday through Thursday, processing will be completed within 24 hours.
For questions or assistance, please visit El Mercado or contact us.
Medically Tailored Meal Program
We’re excited to share information about the Medically Tailored Meal (MTM) Program, offered by Project Food Box!
This program provides, free, customized fresh fruit and vegetable boxes designed to support the health and well-being of Medi-Cal members. Fresh produce is sourced from local farms and delivered straight to participants’ doorsteps, bridging the gap between nutrition and healthcare.
Key Program Benefits
- Personalized Nutrition: Each 15-18 lb. grocery box is curated by Registered Dietitians to address specific chronic health conditions.
- Fresh, Local, and Free: Weekly deliveries of fresh fruits and vegetables for up to 24 weeks, free of charge, to Medi-Cal members.
- Improved Health Outcomes: Research shows that access to nutritious food can enhance quality of life and support better health outcomes.
Interested?
If you or someone you know is a Medi-Cal member, learn more and sign up directly through Project Food Box using this link: MTM Program Sign-Up.Please note: This program is managed entirely by Project Food Box. We are simply sharing this opportunity with our community.
For more details, feel free to contact Project Food Box or review their program flyers available at Project Food Box .
Additonal Community Resources
Resources are organized by sections. Under each section, you will find resources separated by county—Santa Clara and San Benito County. If you live outside of Santa Clara or San Benito County, we recommend calling 411 to locate resources closer to you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance using this page or connecting with the resources listed.
San Benito County
- San Benito County Housing Programs
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Rental assistance, emergency housing support, and permanent housing programs. - Health and Human Services of San Benito County
Location: 1111 San Felipe Rd, Suite 206, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-636-4180
Services: Housing assistance, food, health services, and referrals to social programs. - Avenida
Phone: 831-673-9461
Services: Temporary housing, job training, and case management for low-income and homeless individuals. - Hollister Migrant Housing
Location: 3235 Southside Rd, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-637-7913
Services: Seasonal housing for migrant farmworkers. - Transitional Housing Program
Location: Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Transitional housing options for individuals working toward permanent housing. - Eden Housing
Location: 1101 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-636-5524
Website: EdenHousing.org
Services: Affordable housing developments with various support services.
Santa Clara County
- Santa Clara County Housing Authority
Website: https://www.scchousingauthority.org/
Services: Housing applications, rental assistance, and housing vouchers for low-income individuals and families. - St. Joseph's Family Center
Location: 7950 Church St, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: 408-842-6662
Services: Emergency housing assistance, food distribution, and case management. - South County Compassion Center
Phone: 408-763-7120
Services: Temporary housing, resources for homeless individuals, and case management for low-income and homeless individuals. - C.A.R.A.S (Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy, and Services)
Location: 381-B First Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: 408-847-4978
Services: Offers housing support and community resources for families in crisis. - Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
Location: 1000 S. 1st St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-279-2962
Services: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services for survivors of domestic violence. - Sacred Heart Community Service
Location: 1381 South First St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-278-2160
Services: Housing assistance, El Mercado, and job training programs. - Amigos de Guadalupe
Location: 90 E. Julian St, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 408-918-0300
Services: Support for families, including housing assistance and social services. - PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)
Location: 1859 Little Orchard St, San Jose, CA 95125
Phone: 408-753-8735
Services: Permanent housing assistance and case management in Santa Clara County.
- C.A.R.A.S (Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy, and Services)
Location: 381-B First Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: 408-847-4978
Services: Offers housing support and community resources for families in crisis. - Elevate
Website: https://www.elevatecommunitycenter.org/contact
Phone: (408) 357-9538
Services: Legal services, financial education, and resources for families in crisis. - Project Sentinel
Location: 1490 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone: (888) 324-7468
Services: Assistance with housing problems such as discrimination, mortgage foreclosure & delinquency, rental issues including repairs, deposits, privacy, dispute resolution, home buyer education, post-purchase education, and reverse mortgages.
San Benito County
- San Benito County Emergency Shelter
Location: 1161 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 831-256-7242
Services : Short-term emergency shelter with connections to housing programs. - Emmaus House
Location: 829 San Benito St, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 877-778-7978
Services : Emergency shelter and support services for women and children facing domestic violence. - H.O.M.E. Resource Center
Location: 1161 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 831-265-1852
Services: Supportive housing services, case management, and employment assistance.
Santa Clara County
- Santa Clara County Homeless Helpline
Phone: 408-510-7600
Services: 24/7 support for emergency shelter and resource connections. - National Guard Armory Winter Shelter
Location: 8490 Wren Ave, Gilroy, CA 95020
Phone: 408-686-1300
Services: Seasonal shelter open from late fall to early spring, providing overnight shelter and meals. - HomeFirst – Boccardo Reception Center
Location: 2011 Little Orchard St, San Jose, CA 95125
Phone: 408-294-2100
Services: Emergency shelter, meals, and case management. - Bill Wilson Center
Location: 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone: 408-243-0222
Services: Housing, counseling, and support programs for youth ages 11–24. - Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
Location: 1000 S. 1st St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-279-2962
Services: Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services for survivors of domestic violence.
San Benito County
- San Benito Food Bank
Location: 1133 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 831-637-0340
Services: Food distribution for low-income residents of San Benito County. - Community Food Bank
Location: 1133 San Felipe Rd, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-637-0340
Services: Food pantry support for low-income residents. - Salvation Army
Location: 910 Buena Vista Rd, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-636-9832
Services: Emergency food assistance and support services. - Youth Alliance
Location: 310 4th St, Suite 101, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-537-3620
Services: Provides food support and resources for youth and families in need.
Santa Clara County
- Gavilan College El Mercado
Location: El Centro, Gavilan College
Hours: 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Services: Snacks, family bags, food distribution, and meal credit program. - Sacred Heart Community Service El Mercado
Location: 1381 South First St, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: 408-278-2160
Services: Food pantry and support services for low-income families.
San Benito County
- San Benito Health Foundation
Location: 351 Felice Dr, Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 831-637-5306
Services: Affordable medical, dental, and mental health services. - BACH (Bay Area Community Health)
Locations:- Gavilan College Pop Up
- Gilroy
- San Jose
- CalFresh
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Provides monthly benefits to help low-income individuals and families buy food. - Medi-Cal
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Low-cost or free health coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families. - Community Solutions
Location: 341 Tres Pinos Rd, Suite 202 B, Hollister, CA
Phone: 831-637-1094
Services: Mental health support, crisis intervention, and other health resources.
Santa Clara County
- Gardner Health Services
Location: 195 East Virginia St, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 408-457-7100
Services: Comprehensive health services including medical, dental, and behavioral health care.
Appointment Link: Gardner Health Services Homeless Project - BACH (Bay Area Community Health)
Location:- Gavilan College Pop Up
- Gilroy
- San Jose
- CalFresh
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Provides monthly benefits to help low-income individuals and families buy food. - Medi-Cal
Phone: 831-637-9293
Services: Low-cost or free health coverage for eligible low-income individuals and families. - Santa Clara County Mobile Health Clinic
Phone: 408-455-7100
Services: Basic health screenings, vaccinations, and referrals.