When it was time to select an initiative to celebrate his deanship at the McGeorge School of Law, Michael Hunter Schwartz did not hesitate: Long-term support for the McGeorge food pantry to help students in need.

“We all try to be student focused each and every day at University of the Pacific, but Mike is the model and an inspiration for all of us, with his laser and non-stop focus on the success of our students,” said Pacific President Christopher Callahan. “When we were looking for an initiative to honor Mike, it was zero surprise that he recommended an endowment for the food pantry. It is simply who he is—a genuine student-centric leader.”

Since launching the virtual food pantry in 2019, students have received more than 900 grocery cards totaling over $90,000. The new endowment named in honor of the dean and his wife—the Michael and Stacey Hunter Schwartz Virtual Food Pantry Endowed Fund—will further its reach by supporting the virtual food bank for years to come, providing annual funding to purchase grocery cards for students in need.

“The number of McGeorge students who experience food insecurity continues to grow every year, and, thus, my love for our students naturally flows into a passion for our virtual food pantry,” said Schwartz, who is stepping down from his eight-year deanship and returning to his first love—teaching and research—as a faculty member at the end of the academic year.

Food insecurity is a growing problem on college campuses across the United States. Almost one-quarter of college students experience food insecurity, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Research shows that inadequate nutrition can directly impact academic performance and present health risks.

The dean’s passion for food security was inspired through his work with the law school’s Diversity Board, which he created.

“In Fall 2019, during the inaugural meeting of the McGeorge Alumni Diversity Board, two board members told stories of their own experiences with food insecurity while they were attending McGeorge,” Schwartz said. “The stories moved all of us emotionally and to action: none of us wanted our current students to experience the same. In that moment, we conceived of the virtual food pantry.”

The McGeorge Virtual Food Pantry is housed in the law school’s student services offices where law students can discreetly receive a pre-loaded grocery card, providing the autonomy to select healthy meals that suit them.

Gifts to support the Michael and Stacey Hunter Schwartz Virtual Food Pantry Endowed Fund or the Pacific Food Pantry can be made online.

Other resources are available for Pacific students who are not part of the law school. On the Stockton Campus, the Pacific Food Pantry, located in the Communication and Psychology building, offers fresh produce from the Ted and Chris Robb Garden and a variety of healthy items.

“As a student who is far from home, being away from my family has been a big challenge. Knowing that there is something like this available makes me realize that I am never alone,” said one recipient. “This support means so much more than just nutrition for me, it means peace of mind and strength to focus on my journey.”