Food insecurity is always at the forefront during the holidays.
For some Long Beach City College students, it’s been a year-long struggle.
“Being a community college student myself, I know the struggle,” said Justin Mendez, LBCC’s director of basic needs. “Our students cannot talk about theory in class or try to solve calculus problems if they are hungry.”
City University has created the Viking Vault, named after the school’s mascot, in hopes of making free food easier to access without any prejudice.
“I come here, I quickly get a snack, and then I go outside and go to class,” said Mikayla Castro, an LBCC student who uses the safe to help with food insecurity. “No one will judge you for coming to get free food.”
Students can use their ID to access food in the pantry whenever they need it.
“We have found that the needs of our students are tremendous,” said Dr. Mike Muniz, LBCC Superintendent and President.
A recent study by California Community Colleges found that nearly 50 percent of the state’s 2.1 million students enrolled in colleges and universities go hungry each year.
“I wasn’t surprised because I was like that myself, dealing with housing and food insecurity while raising my daughter in community college,” Muñoz said.
That personal experience, and the growing needs during the pandemic, led the LBCC Board of Directors to launch the Basic Needs Division to help students not only feed, house, and need more than just survival. This was a major reason why we were able to receive all kinds of support. College years, but growing up.
“We operate the center 12 months of the year so that many students can rely on it,” Muñoz said.
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