The Tejano Mercado aims to minimize hunger among our students by providing free, accessible, and nutritious food. We strive to contribute to an environment of growth and encouragement by supporting our students in the pursuit of a higher education and a healthier lifestyle.
We also accept donations which may be delivered to any Campus Life Office. Products we do not accept:
- Opened items such as personal hygiene products, boxes, bottles, cans, or bags of any kind that appear unsanitary
- Any perishable food that can spoil or go bad
- Expired Items
The Tejano Mercado is also available for an immediate “shopping experience”. Currently enrolled students needing of immediate food pantry items will be able to go in and select the items they need to take home.
Assistance is available to current EPCC students, faculty, and staff and is based on availability.
To receive assistance, all students must first complete the registration form per semester. After registration is complete, simply bring your valid EPCC student ID to check in at any of our locations.
If you are unable to shop at our Tejano Mercado locations and need a pre‑packed box, please complete the registration form and send us an email requesting a prepared box. In your message, include the day and time you would like to pick it up. If you would like us to add clothing items, please include your size and any preferences. For baby items or personal hygiene products, list the specific items you need so we can prepare them for you. If you are not in Valle Verde or Rio Grande Campus, please sent to us an email requesting a drop off to your home campus. Our team is committed to supporting you with essential resources and ensuring you receive what you need in a convenient and respectful manner.
Tejano Mercado Request Form
In our efforts to diminish food insecurity amongst our EPCC community, we appreciate any monetary donation. These funds will be used to help maintain our shelves stocked in order to keep our doors open for service.
Care Center
EPCC students have access to free, healthy snacks at Tejano Mercado locations. Each student may receive one snack and one drink per day.
We also provide hygiene items through our Care Center. Students may request up to three hygiene items per day. To receive services, please present your EPCC Student ID card or Virtual ID.
Our goal is to support student well‑being and ensure everyone has access to essential resources that promote health, dignity, and academic success.
Campus Closet
Tejano Mercado is dedicated to providing students with free, quality clothing so they can move through their daily lives with confidence and fewer obstacles. We understand that unexpected challenges can make college life stressful, and having access to essential clothing should never be one of those worries. Through the generosity of our community, we offer donated items to both students and faculty, helping them feel prepared, comfortable, and supported. Every contribution allows us to continue building a campus environment where everyone has what they need to succeed.
EPCC’s Tejano Mercado collects clean, good‑condition clothing, shoes, and backpacks to support students in need. Please donate only wearable, pre‑washed items without stains, tears, odors, or heavy wear. Donations can be dropped off at Valle Verde Campus (C428) or sent through EPCC campus mail. All items are handled with care and proper hygiene. For full donation instructions, refer to the instructions PDF below:
Mobile Food Pantry
El Paso Community College’s Tejano Mercado is proud to partner with El Paso Fighting Hunger to support our students and surrounding community. Through this collaboration, we host mobile food pantries across all EPCC campuses, ensuring consistent access to essential groceries and nutritious food.
This partnership allows us to help individuals meet their basic needs, reduce food insecurity, and stay focused on their educational and career goals. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient community.
StayStrong Emergency Assistance
The StayStrong Emergency Fund, part of Tejano Mercado, supports EPCC students facing sudden financial hardships. When life becomes overwhelming, this fund can help with essential needs like food, utilities, medical costs, or transportation.
Support is limited, but you will always be guided toward additional campus or community resources. EPCC is here to help you stay strong and keep moving forward.
StayStrong Emergency Assistance
Community Resources
El Paso offers Community Food Pantry locations, which serve as additional resources for EPCC students in the surrounding neighborhoods and nearby towns. Please review the following resource guides, organized by different areas of El Paso and surrounding communities. The organization currently tracking these local pantries is El Pasoans Fighting Hunger (EPFH). For more information about EPFH, please visit the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank website.
Find other free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more at
findhelp.org.
Other Resources
Additional wellness & support resources and services are available to EPCC students:
Wellness & Support
