Long Beach City College hosted the Mobile Food Pantry on Tuesday in collaboration with the Los Angeles Food Bank on the Pacific Coast Campus, giving out groceries to over 150 people.
The event took place from 1 p.m to 3 p.m in the PCC Campus in Lot 2 and about 50 people were lined up before the distribution started.
“(An event like this) helps someone like me. Releases stress that I don’t have to worry about my next meal,” said Danny Alvarez Rosales, a student at LBCC.
Canopies were set up in a line with different products with volunteers offering products they were supplied with.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, an organization dedicated to hunger relief through spreading awareness and events, supplied all the groceries.
There was also a booth so participants that qualified could sign up for CalFresh. CalFresh issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food store products.
The participants were given grocery bags and could pick and choose from the list of groceries the pantry offered.
The products that were being offered were potatoes, pears, oranges, canned goods, rice, probiotics, different kinds of nuts, raisins, bread and fish sticks.
“It brings me joy as a single mom. I understand the struggle. It’s programs like these that helped me get my degree,” explained Dianka Lahoy, the Basic Needs Program Coordinator at LBCC.
All kinds of people showed up to receive free groceries. Families, students, faculty and staff from all different backgrounds all showed up to partake in the event.
Volunteers of the event were encouraged to get their fair share of groceries once the event was over.
The Mobile Food Pantry is to be hosted from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m on every fourth Tuesday of every month until May 23.
The Mobile Food Pantry is completely open to the public. No proof of enrollment is needed for these specific events.
LBCC Students are encouraged to utilize the Viking Vault if they experience food insecurity. Students can also check out resources that the Basic Needs Programs offer at https://www.lbcc.edu/basic-needs-program or reach out to basicneeds@lbcc.edu.