SAN DIEGO – January 13, 2022 – Area community college students facing ongoing pandemic-related challenges are getting some new relief as we enter 2022, in the way of newly stocked shelves on local campus food pantries. As 2021 came to a close, the annual Pack the Pantry food drive organized by California Coast Credit Union, raised more than 51,000 meals for local community college students facing food insecurity.
The Pack the Pantry food drive has become an important annual initiative, in partnership with the San Diego Food Bank and local community colleges. The food drive was exclusively virtual in 2021 due to the pandemic, but still raised enough funds to provide 51,496 meals for 10 local community college food pantries.
“San Diego’s community colleges sincerely appreciate Cal Coast, the San Diego Food Bank, and all those who supported Pack the Pantry. The funds raised will provide meals for hard-working students who are struggling to support themselves and their families. Food drives such as Pack the Pantry have become an important part of our efforts to support students’ basic needs,” said San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) Chancellor, Carlos O. Turner Cortez. Dr. Cortez also serves as president of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association (SDICCCA) this year.
A recent study discovered that more than 50 percent of local community college students face food insecurity, meaning they don’t have consistent access to food.
“We know there is a need within our local community colleges and we want to do our part to tackle food insecurity. If students worry about where their next meal will come from or if they deal with hunger on a daily basis, this can have a negative impact on student success – that is why California Coast Credit Union continues to organize Pack the Pantry each year,” said Todd Lane, president and CEO of California Coast Credit Union.
To learn more about how you can continue to help stock the food pantries at local community colleges in the San Diego and Riverside regions, please visit their websites throughout the year.
About SDICCCA
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association is a collaboration between the six community college districts in the two-county area. Member institutions include Cuyamaca College, Grossmont College, Imperial Valley College, MiraCosta College, Palomar College, San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College, San Diego Continuing Education, and Southwestern College. Mount San Jacinto College students in Riverside County were also supported in the food drive.
About the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank & North County Food Bank
Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and its North County Food Bank chapter are a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. Through a combination of programs and partnerships with 500 San Diego County nonprofit charities, the Food Bank acts as a central repository and distribution point for donated food. Learn more at: SanDiegoFoodBank.org and NorthCountyFoodBank.org
About California Coast Credit Union
Established by San Diego teachers in 1929, California Coast Credit Union is the longest-serving financial institution based in San Diego County. With more than $3 billion in assets, the credit union serves nearly 200,000 members through its local network of 26 branches and 60 shared branch locations, and 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. California Coast is not-for-profit, provides no-cost financial education for adults and youth, and is committed to improving the lives of its members and others in the community. Anyone who lives or works in San Diego or Riverside counties can be a member.
For more information, visit calcoastcu.org or call (877) 495-1600.
