WHITTIER – The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees has approved acceptance of a grant to boost public awareness for the CalFresh Outreach Program, which helps low-income households increase their food-buying power to meet their nutritional needs.
Río Hondo College was one of 54 colleges selected for the grant as part of California State University, Chico’s CalFresh grant expansion. The grant will provide Río Hondo College with $432,726 to promote CalFresh to students starting on Oct. 1, 2021 and ending on Sept. 30, 2024.
These funds will pay for outreach methods involving social media, classroom presentations, space at the RíoSource Room (food pantry), campus events and grocery giveaways to show students how they can partake in the program.
Río Hondo College will receive $145,288 between Oct. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022, $133,913 between Oct. 1, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2023 and $153,525 between Oct. 1, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2024.
“We at Río Hondo College are very excited to start this promotion program for our students,” Board of Trustees President Rosaelva Lomeli said. “We know CalFresh provides a very important service to many Californians and we hope we can provide support and information to not only our students, but their families as well.”
This grant will support basic student needs through food access and assisting students with their CalFresh applications. By being able to reduce barriers to basic food needs, students who are disproportionally impacted will have a higher likelihood of staying enrolled and will therefore be able to meet their educational goals and ultimately, obtain a college degree or transfer.
“Río Hondo College is committed to providing our students with every possible advantage to ensure they and their families not only have food, but that they also have healthy food for their diets,” Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss said. “This is a great way of promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting the needs of socio-economically disadvantaged students.”
MEDIA RELEASE
3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: September 9, 2021
CONTACT: Ruthie Retana
(562) 463-3145
