Millions of Americans who rely on food aid will see a drop in support after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued Nov.1 due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Despite SNAP benefits being paused, LBCC’s Basic Needs’ Viking Vault will continue to provide food and offer resources to help students.
LBCC’s Basic Needs Director Justin Mendez discussed immediate plans for students facing the benefit cut on Wednesday.
“We’re definitely anticipating an increased financial burden, a lot of our CalFresh students rely on those benefits all the time… we have a mail delivery program called Everytable, we’re going to be increasing that enrollment (which) provides five free meal deliveries every week… we do prioritize housing insecure students so we’re going to email those students who are requesting support… and we’re going to be purchasing extra food gift cards, so students can show us their EBT card or some form of proof that they have benefits that are being cut to receive an extra card,” Mendez said.
Events organized by the Viking Vault like Better Breakfast on Tuesdays at LAC, Wednesdays at TTC, and the Viking Village Market on Nov. 19 where access to free fresh produce and community resources are offered will still be held as resources are district funded, and food donations will continue to be accepted.
Mendez also plans on bringing back a grab-and-go distribution event to offset the concerns brought by the SNAP cut further in the month.
“We used to pack big grocery bags that had a mix of produce, non-perishable goods, and now we’re even looking at maybe some hygiene items to include in there, so the the Basic Needs team is looking into creating an order form that we can send out to students and will be distributing 200 bags… Thanksgiving week is when we’ll distribute them,” Mendez said.
Information on other public benefits being unaffected and other free food resources in Long Beach is another resource Mendez wants to provide.
Student Jonah Foster, right, looks at various snack bars offered at the LAC Viking Vault on Wednesday. Foster visited the vault during breaktime for a class. (Hailey Hildreth)
“Beyond direct support… We’re working on a message for students to say ‘Hey, this is what to expect if your benefits are being cut.’ We just found out too that it’s just SNAP, so CalWorks, General Relief, Childcare Subsidies and other public benefits are not being impacted in the same way that SNAP is. We’re trying to inform students about that, as well as all of the other food banks in the city of Long Beach… I would say from our student parents specifically, I’m hearing that concern because our student parents have a higher amount that they get from CalFresh, that means that’s a higher amount they’re not going to have anymore,” Mendez said
The ripple effects of the SNAP cut have still reached campus partnerships such as the TTC Food Pantry, which usually operates every fourth Tuesday in collaboration with the LA Food Bank but was forced to cancel due to the food assistance cuts.
“This is the first time ever since we’ve been doing this event that they had to cancel one of our events. So that’s why we’re replacing that fourth Tuesday with our own grab-and-go distribution. We’re closing the gap in that way and hopefully our students don’t feel that loss,” Mendez said.
In California alone, approximately 5.5 million Californians depend on CalFresh to aid their food budget each month according to the California’s Department of Social Services.
Among them is student Maria Trejo, a single mother who balances being a full-time student while providing for her daughter and three grandchildren. She uses CalFresh and the Viking Vault as a means to feed her family, and visits the vault often.
LBCC student Maria Trejo, right, picks out a banana from the produce boxes at the LAC Viking Vault on Wednesday. With the upcoming SNAP cut, Trejo is concerned about being able to continue her studies without reliable funds for her family’s food needs. (Rafael Gomez)
“I decided to study and I don’t work right now. I’m thinking of having to cut some of my classes to find a part-time job and continue with classes, but now it’s going to affect (my) plans to transfer… this help means so much for my house,” Trejo said.
CalFresh student ambassador Alexis Johnson encouraged any students in need to visit either of the Viking Vaults, especially with the SNAP cut in mind.
“The Viking Vault has always been here and we are always providing food every day for students that come in and get as much as they can according to what we are able to give out… you can come to both (vaults) in one day actually, and you would just abide by the rules of one item per each (section),” Johnson said.
The Viking Vault is located at B-103 at LAC and open from Monday through Thursday, and at the GG-Cafeteria at TTC from Tuesday to Thursday.
Both locations are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for every open day.
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