The Viking Vault served 1,200 students last week, providing groceries, hygiene and parenting items on campus.
The primary mission of the vault is to help students suffering from food scarcity and assist LBCC-eligible students in completing federal CalFresh applications for free groceries.
The Viking vaults, provided by the college’s Basic Needs Program, caters to all students enrolled at LBCC and are located on both LAC and PCC.
According to Justin Mendez, the Basic Needs Program manager, the vault’s success has served 16,690 students and has distributed 103,967 pounds of food for 2022.
Various items to select from can be found in the vaults, such as beans, rice, ramen soup, eggs, apple sauce, fruit, hygiene items and diapers.
Due to the closure of the cafeteria last semester, students were left with overpriced snacks and off-campus foods. The vault has had an increase in student participants this semester.
While they want to accommodate everyone, their main focus is those suffering from food insecurities.
“One in five community college students is experiencing homelessness,” said Jesse Marroquin, Basic Needs Outreach Specialist employee of the Viking Vault.
Marroquin has been serving the LBCC student community for approximately 8 months and has noticed a drastic positive response to such resources being available for students.
“If you are suffering from food scarcity, they are there for you. No student is turned away,” Marroquin said.
The Viking Vault is sponsored by both Long Beach City College and donors.
If you would like to help out a fellow student who is unable to obtain necessities, you can donate food or hygiene items.
Only unopened, unexpired, and undamaged items are accepted and distributed.
If you would like to donate money, the link to donate is https://lbcc.edu/pod/makeagift select: Student Emergency Fund and Basic Needs Fund for funds to go directly to support the Vault.
The vault can be reached at (562) 938-5045 or basicneeds@lbcc.edu, for more information: www.tinyurl.com/vikingvault.