A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new ECC Warrior Pantry with the El Camino Community College District Board of Trustees is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16 in Physics 116. The Warrior Pantry is designed to assist students struggling with hunger and will open for food distribution on Oct. 19.
Donations are still needed! ECC employees are asked to donate healthy and nutritious nonperishable food items to help stock the shelves of the Warrior Pantry. Can't get to the store? We've got you covered - monetary donations are also welcome, via this link: http://www.elcamino.edu/foundation/donate.asp.
The issue of food insecurity is gaining momentum throughout higher education statewide. The California State University and the University of California systems have both published studies that acknowledge the importance of addressing food insecurity in order to support student success. These studies are relevant for El Camino College given the proportion of food-insecure households in the South Bay.
A report from the County of Los Angeles shows that households in the South Bay with incomes less than 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level experience food insecurity higher than the county average. In addition, food insecurity within the South Bay has increased nearly 8 percent since 2002. These numbers are based on data collected in the recently released 2017 Los Angeles County Health Survey.
The Warrior Pantry is possible through the leadership of the Student Equity Advisory Council, Associated Students Organization, and the Inter-Club Council, with support from the Student Development Office, Student Equity Program, and the Food and Shelter Task Force. Currently enrolled students must present their student ID to receive the benefits of the Warrior Pantry.
Thank you for your generosity and support of our students. For more information, or to find the nearest donation location, please contact the Student Development Office: 310-660-3593, ext. 3500 or view: http://www.elcamino.edu/studentservices/warriorpantry/index.asp