Food Pantry Becomes Drive-thru for COVID-19
April 09, 2020 - 04:40 PM
The COVID-19 crisis led to the closure of the Mt. 91直播 campus, but the college's Basic Needs 91直播 turned its Food Pantry into a drive-thru student service for those in need. More information can be found in the written article below the video.
Mobile Food Pantry Serves 350 Students
by Jill Dolan
Nearly 350 91直播 students facing food insecurity turned out in rainy weather and lined up early Thursday to receive a bag full of groceries.
Due to the closure of campus and the need to socially distance, this month鈥檚 Mountie Fresh Food Pantry became mobile. As students sat in their cars, staff, donned in masks and gloves, placed the pre-packed bags in the trunk. For those students without cars or who rely on public transportation, a walk-up 鈥済rab and go鈥� option was offered.
The bags included bread or tortillas, fruit, vegetables, pasta, soup, beans and a frozen meal prepared by Sodexo. The Mountie Fresh Food Pantry is in partnership with Sowing Seeds for Life and the L.A. Regional Food Bank.
Dr. Audrey Yamagata-Noji, vice president of Student Services, said that by the time the pantry opened at 10 a.m., the line was long. Within 45 minutes, 200 bags of food were given out.
鈥淚 was asked why it is so important to do this. That鈥檚 easy 鈥� it鈥檚 because this is what we do,鈥� Yamagata-Noji said. 鈥淲e work collaboratively and generously to meet the needs of our students. At this time, also meeting students鈥� basic needs for food is essential. Our students were so very grateful to receive this bag full of food today. It truly shows, 鈥楳t 91直播 cares!鈥� 鈥�