Menlo College Expands Oak Shack Capacity with New Commercial Refrigerator and Freezer Posted on April 27, 2026April 28, 2026 by George Retelas ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College has received a grant of $6,442.34 from the Raley’s Food For Families Fund that is held with the Sacramento Region Community Foundation (SRCF) to purchase a new commercial-grade refrigerator and freezer for its Basic Needs Pantry, known as the Oak Shack. This critical upgrade will significantly expand the pantry’s ability to serve the campus community. With the addition of this new equipment, the Oak Shack will be able to distribute an additional 68,670 pounds of food annually, more than doubling its current impact and strengthening Menlo College’s commitment to addressing food insecurity among students. Menlo College students Angel Cody, Ellen Helmertz, and Liv Brunzell hold a ‘thank you’ message to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation (SRCF). Coordinated by the Office of Student Affairs, the Oak Shack provides free food and essential items to students, faculty, and staff. The pantry operates through strong community partnerships, including support from the Menlo Park Rotary Club and weekly food donations from Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and Samaritan House. These collaborations ensure a consistent supply of fresh and nutritious food available to those in need. The new refrigeration and freezer units will allow the Oak Shack to safely store larger quantities of perishable items, increasing both the variety and volume of food available to the Menlo community. The new refrigerator units can hold 3x the amount of previous cold storage. “As a student-worker in the Oak Shack, I see firsthand the significant impact our food pantry has on the Menlo community. This new equipment significantly expands our pantry’s capabilities, allowing us to provide fresh, nutritious food while actively fighting food insecurity on campus. We are very grateful to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation for investing in the health and well-being of our students and faculty.” – Liv Brunzell ’26 The new dedicated freezer unit will allow for more frozen items to stay fresh. The project is funded by the 2026 Raley’s Food For Families Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation (SRCF). The Sacramento Region Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire philanthropy that leads to a just and vibrant Sacramento region. This grant was made possible by the Raley’s Food For Families Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. The new equipment is currently installed, marking an important milestone in Menlo College’s ongoing efforts to support student well-being and success. To learn more about Health and Wellness services at Menlo College, please visit: https://www.menlo.edu/life-at-menlo/health-wellness/ Press Contact: pr@menlo.edu About Menlo College: Menlo College is a small private, nonprofit college founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, as well as three graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Information Systems, a Master of Science in Financial Technology, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology. Menlo is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution.
