About The 12th Can
The 12th Can is a 501(c)(3) non-profit student organization committed to addressing food insecurity at Texas A&M University. Our mission is to eliminate hunger at Texas A&M, raise awareness about food insecurity in college communities, and demonstrate the power of the Aggie Spirit. The 12th Can proudly serves as a Brazos Valley Food Bank Agency Partner and operates as an Executive Committee under the Texas A&M Student Government Association.
Entirely student-operated, we manage every aspect of our on-campus food pantry, from placing food orders and sorting donations to staffing pantry openings. Our diverse team brings unique perspectives and a shared dedication to selflessly serving the Aggie community. Recognizing the importance of our work, we strive to ensure The 12th Can remains a dependable resource for all Aggies who need it. Our top priority is our clients’ comfort. We aim to create a welcoming shopping experience, offering a wide variety of nutritious food tailored to clients’ preferences while preserving their anonymity. As part of the Aggie Family, it’s our honor to support our fellow Aggies!
Hybrid Pantry Model
The 12th Can operates using a hybrid pantry model, blending elements of a client-choice pantry with prepackaged distribution. Clients visiting the pantry can select the items they need, similar to shopping at a grocery store. The client-choice pantry model is a food distribution approach that gives clients the autonomy to select items they need and prefer, catering to individual dietary needs, cultural preferences and household sizes. During high-demand periods or for clients with limited time, prepackaged bags are available.
The 12th Can’s History
In 2013, Student Body President John Claybrook visited another SEC school and toured their food pantry. Inspired by the concept, he brought the idea back to Texas Aggies Making Changes (TAMC), which led to the founding of The 12th Can. Since then, we’ve experienced significant growth, forming partnerships with local businesses, student organizations and Texas A&M administration.
2013
Founding of The 12th CanTexas Aggies Making Changes established Texas Aggies Making Change, which was later renamed to The 12th Can. Two years later, The 12th Can obtained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status!
2017
Partnership with BVFBOur partnership with Brazos Valley Food Bank expanded our ability to serve Aggieland with essential resources and a wider variety of nutritious items to meet growing demand.
2020
Serving AggiesDuring the COVID-19 Pandemic, we opened our doors to Aggies to provide essential resources and care, ensuring no student nor staff goes hungry during challenging times.
2022
Pantry Expansion2022 marked a major milestone for our pantry! The addition of a refrigerator unit, expanded backspace and a new office enhanced our operations.
2023
Amazon & 10 yearsOur partnership with Amazon began with a donation of six pallets of food and $5,000. The generosity of our donors and partners has helped us keep our shelves stocked for 10+ years.
2024
More Pantry ExpansionTo better serve our clients, we expanded with an additional refrigeration and freezer, a dedicated fridge/freezer room, more warehouse space and implemented PantrySoft to securely streamline operations.
Member Testimonials
It has been incredibly rewarding to be part of something bigger than myself, all while having fun along the way. Over the past two years, I’ve been inspired by fellow members of The 12th Can and our clients to deepen my commitment to addressing food insecurity and raising awareness.
The 12th Can is a community of students who strive to make sure their classmates and other members of the Aggieland community have access to healthy foods. It is an organization with a mission, vision and values that I am proud of.
To me, the 12th Can is an opportunity to contribute to my community and make a positive impact on people’s lives. It also allows me to meet other students and build friendships with people I might not have encountered within my major.