The Viking Vault hosted a Thanksgiving food drive outside the B Building at LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus to provide groceries for students and their families ahead of the holiday weekend on Tuesday.
The event served as a substitute for the Basic Needs Program’s mobile food pantry, which normally would’ve been held at the TTC campus every last Tuesday of each month but was canceled this month due to the government shutdown that affected the Los Angeles Food Bank ability to provide food.
Justin Mendez, the director of the Basic Needs program and CASA grant, said that the monthly events held at the TTC campus are open to the community around the campus, but because this recent drive was done on short notice and was funded by student funds, the event was only for students.
Fresh produce like apples, oranges and onions were handed out, as well as items like eggs, pasta, pasta sauce, almond milk and oatmeal.
Organizers emphasized that food distributions like this happen year round, not just during the holidays.
“I think the experience is just recognizing the fact that food is a basic human right, and everyone should have access to it,” said Claudia Ibara, who helped organize and pass out food during the event.
Students who lined up said the support makes a real difference during a busy time in the semester.
“It is very nice, because most of us don’t have time to work much,” said Regin Sogo-an, a nursing student who visited the pantry. “This helps so we can eat at home and have something for the holidays. I’m very thankful.”
Staff also pointed to rising costs and reduced benefits as reasons many events are needed.
“With everything going on right now, people not having access to their EBT and grocery prices going up, it’s very beneficial that students can come in and just do a one stop shop and have their groceries set with them, they don’t have to worry about the financial burden that comes with it,” Viking Vault organizer Nicole de Leon said.
Ibara mentioned spreading the word of food giveaways during the holidays is crucial.
“When there are opportunities to share food with our community, that’s absolutely what we should do, especially around the holidays,” said Ibara.
