Fighting Food Insecurity Among College Students by Building a bridge between food waste and those in need

Student LunchBox (SLB) was founded in 2020 in response to the growing crisis of food insecurity among college students, a challenge that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. As students lost jobs and support systems, many found themselves struggling to meet their most basic needs. SLB emerged as a lifeline, ensuring that no student would have to choose between pursuing an education and accessing essential resources. The organization’s origins are deeply personal. Karlen Nurijanyan, SLB’s founder and CEO, knows firsthand the barriers students face in securing stable access to food and other necessities. After immigrating to the United States in 2009, he enrolled at Santa Monica College, where he encountered the harsh realities of financial instability. Limited access to affordable, nutritious meals and the absence of comprehensive support systems left Karlen—and thousands of students like him—without reliable options. Determined to create a solution, he carried his vision forward through his studies at UCLA and later at California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a master’s degree in public administration. When the pandemic struck, Karlen left his corporate career to fully dedicate himself to launching SLB. With his entire Economic Impact Payments and unwavering commitment, he and his business partner, Marco Gonzalez, laid the foundation for an organization that would redefine how colleges address food insecurity. Early support from key partners, such as Co-opportunity Market, Food Forward, and the Food Bank of Southern California, helped SLB expand rapidly, turning an idea into a movement. A Growing Mission: Beyond Food Assistance Today, SLB is one of Los Angeles' fastest growing and most essential organizations, addressing the urgent demand for basic needs assistance within the academic community. While food insecurity remains a critical issue, SLB has witnessed an alarming rise in students struggling with unmet essential needs. Some face homelessness, while others sleep in their vehicles without access to basic hygiene. Recognizing this crisis, SLB expanded its impact with the launch of The Closet Initiative in collaboration with the Shelter Partnership providing students with toiletries, clothing, bedding, hygiene kits, and other essentials to ensure they can focus on their education without the burden of financial instability. This initiative reflects SLB’s core belief: No student should have to sacrifice their well-being to earn a degree. A Community-Led and Impact-Driven Model Unlike traditional aid programs, SLB is a college community-led, sustainability-driven organization. By forging strategic partnerships with campuses, we ensure that support is accessible, effective, and tailored to student needs. Through these collaborations, SLB now serves over 4,500 students monthly across 15 institutions, including: • California State University, Long Beach • California State University, Dominguez Hills • California State University, Los Angeles • California State University, Northridge • University of California, Los Angeles • Los Angeles Pierce College • Los Angeles Valley College • Los Angeles Mission College • Los Angeles City College • Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science • Emerson College • NYU Los Angeles • CBD College • Wofford Denius UTLA Center for Entertainment & Media Studies • Montclair University Los Angeles With new partnerships in progress—including Rio Hondo College, East Los Angeles College, Ithaca College, James Madison University, the University of Southern California —SLB’s reach continues to grow, ensuring that more students receive the critical support they need. SLB stands at the forefront of a vital shift in higher education—one that prioritizes the well-being of students by addressing food insecurity and financial instability. What began as one student’s challenge has evolved into a movement that transforms lives across Los Angeles County and beyond. The fight for equitable access to basic needs requires collective action. Whether through donations, partnerships, or volunteer efforts, your support helps thousands of students stay in school and succeed. Join us in building a future where no student has to choose between education and survival.