Free food is available for students in need, at the Cerritos College Student Health Services building. Nancy Montgomery who is the Associate Dean of Health, Wellness and Veterans Services is in charge of the food bank, and wants to raise awareness about the resources students have.
Students just walk up to the Student Health Services building and they are provided with a small bag of food and information on how to keep getting help. No requirements or qualifications are asked.
Originally, this issue was brought up to Montgomery’s attention by Admissions and the Financial Aid Department. Montgomery commented, “ They were finding out that students didn’t have money to buy food.”
Montgomery started this small food bank right after the holidays. The food bank it’s doing well, but she would like to get the word out about how help can be given.
The mission is basically for students to take action and become self- sufficient. It is not all about the food, but about the valuable information needed to continue getting help. Since the bag given only lasts about a week.
At the student Health Center food is provided if you cant afford food, but also they teach you how to make healthy meals with the food given. She said, “ They have to go to the food bank themselves or apply for more assistance with buying food, then that way they become more self- sufficient.”
Facilitating food for students it’s a way of helping them progress.
Hazel NG, Registered Dietitian at the Student Health Services tells how eating healthy doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot of money.
“If you spend your money wisely and you know how much food you actually need, it’s really not expensive,” she said.
She explained how students usually use fast food restaurants as a last resort for cheaper food, but in reality its more expensive. “Even of you get the value meals from the value menu, you still spend triple the money, and still get the same calories. Dietitian NG said.
It is not about getting full or being overweight, but about eating the right food. If you are overweight, they can help you maintain a healthy weight.
“If you’re over weight you can still be malnourished from eating bulk foods,” Ng said.
With the limited amount of space the storage has, Montgomery wishes to keep the size of the bank somewhat “ small”, but still she encourages for everyone to participate.
With lacks of funds to keep up normal diet, students should definitely pay a visit you educate themselves. David Paul Borge who is a formal student at Cerritos College explained why it is important to help students in need. “My faith dictates that we need to help as soon as possible, without food your body cannot function very well, you cannot function,” Borge said.
To look at the food given as a start, and to gradually continue to get free food on your own is what she would like to experience.
Montgomery added this thought “It’s important for students to know that they just don’t come to get a bag of food, but to know the outside resources available.”
She points out how homeless or people, who do not have food, often don’t know about these resources. Her goal is to educate students and she explained how everything you need, you can get it. “ They can find food, housing, health care, so they can at least support themselves and that way they can be successful in their lives.”
The food bank at Cerritos College is very limited, and it lacks many foods that have nutrients we need. Such as dairy, since it has to be refrigerated it can’t be stored. That is why is important to go out and seek the help and take advantage, overall the one benefited would be the student.
Montgomery said her biggest contributors were campus staff and faculty staff.
The Donations are in weekly, and if any clubs or students would like to help in any way, they are welcome to do so.
The foods welcome are can foods, rice, pinto beans, pasta, oatmeal, bread, granola bars, fruit/ Veggies (fresh), pasta sauce, soups, crackers, peanut butter etc. The healthier the choices are, the better she said.
Montgomery gave the Social Services Center address in case needed.11929 Alondra Blvd. Norwalk, CA90650 and the telephone number is (562) 929-5544; the help is out there.
