News Release

Santiago Canyon College Holds Grand Opening of Hawk’s Nest Food Pantry

​WHAT:

Santiago Canyon College (SCC) will host the grand opening of the SCC Hawk’s Nest Food Pantry (HNFP). The food pantry, which held a soft opening last spring, is designed to provide currently enrolled SCC credit and noncredit students free and nutritious food.

The HNFP is set up as farmer’s market adjacent to the snack shack on the college’s softball field. At the fall opening, the food pantry will offer nonperishable food, fresh produce, and hygiene products. Students will be provided a shopping bag and will be able to walk around and select the items they need the most.

In Orange County, the SCC food pantry joins others on local campuses, including Golden West College, Irvine Valley College, Orange Coast College, UCI, Cal State Fullerton, and Chapman University.

WHERE:

Santiago Canyon College
8045 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92869

WHEN:

Thursday, September 14, 2017
Grand Opening: 8:30 a.m. - Tour of the HNFP
Ceremony: 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.

The Hawk’s Nest Food Pantry will be open to students from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. this fall on:

  • Thursday, September 14
  • Thursday, September 28
  • Thursday, October 12
  • Thursday, November 9
  • Thursday, November 16
  • Thursday, November 30

WHO:

Last spring, over 400 students were served by the HNFP. The food pantry is staffed entirely by volunteer faculty and staff.

The following organizations’ support has made the Hawk’s Nest Food Pantry possible:

  • Cal Fresh
  • HoneyBaked Ham
  • Ingardia Brothers Produce, Inc.
  • Le Parfait
  • Orange County Food Bank
  • SCC Associated Student Government (ASG)
  • SCC Foundation
  • SCC Office of Student Equity and Success

WHY:

A recent Urban Institute study, relying on data from a national survey conducted monthly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, found 13 percent of community college students lack the food and nutrition they need.

The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homeless report, “Hunger on Campus,” discovered that of the approximately 3,765 students surveyed, 48 percent qualified as food insecure within the past 30 days. According to this research, it is difficult for students to focus on their studies while worrying about their next meal, or other financial troubles. Of the students surveyed, 53 reported they missed class due to food insecurity.

In spring 2016, SCC surveyed a random sample of 638 students. Of those students, approximately 13 percent reported needing some type of assistance in acquiring food and 7.6 percent reported having gone hungry because they didn’t have the resources to purchase food. If the college were to assume that these percentages are generalizable beyond the sample size, SCC is looking at potentially over 1,000 students that are experiencing some level of food insecurity.

HOW:

To make a financial donation to support the SCC Hawk’s Nest Food Pantry, please visit www.sccollege.edu/foundation, select “Ways of Giving” from the menu on the left, choose “donate now,” and designate “food pantry.” The college is also seeking bulk and individual donations of nonperishable food as well as businesses that can donate fresh produce. To make donations of food, contact HNFP coordinator Jovannys Mejia at (714) 628-1049 or mejia_jovannys@sccollege.edu.

About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves about 17,000 students each semester. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult - and seniors - in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sccollege.edu to learn more.

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Contact: Judy Iannaccone

Phone: (714) 480-7503

e-mail: