Hunger & Homelessness in Spotlight this Week
November 18, 2019 - 02:11 PM
About half of all Mt. SAC students face food and/or housing insecurity. This alarming
statistic underscores why the school’s administration created a Basic Needs Resource
Program to take aim at this serious threat to the education of a large percentage
of the student populace.
Coinciding with the national week, Basic Needs has designated Nov. 18th – 22nd as Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week. Events are designed to bring attention to this problem.
“A great many of our students have to balance the daily challenges of lacking basic needs that many of us take for granted,” said Koji Uesugi, Dean of Student Services. “Mt. SAC’s Mountie Fresh Basic Needs Resources is a collaborative effort with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to respond to these challenges that students face.“
At Mt. SAC, 46% of students are food insecure and 56% are housing insecure. The school is working with local community organizations, non-profits, as well as government officials to address this critical problem. Recently Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) unveiled the Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act at a Mt. SAC news conference. The bill is designed to address the growing poverty crisis among college students.
“Our Basic Needs Resources program provides food resources, including application assistance for CalFresh benefits, food vouchers through Student Equity, and a monthly food pantry," said Uesugi. "We also offer housing referrals, in coordination with various housing authorities, and connection to mental health and employment resources. It is all about helping students over those detours and hurdles they face on their educational journey.”
Events for the week include:
Food For Thought Pop Up - Join the campus conversation by sharing your thoughts about hunger and homelessness. Conversation starters will be posted at various locations on campus so you can reply on Instagram. Catch these conversations on the 'gram by following us @mtsacbasicneeds. Hashtag #MountiesCAN #MountieFresh November 18th - 22nd Location: Various locations on campus
Kick Off Event – This session will include conversations with students who have lived experiences
related to hunger and housing challenges, a presentation by Scott Chamberlin from
the SGV Consortium on Homelessness and Shawn Morrissey from Union Station Homeless
Shelter. There will also be a Resource Fair with campus and community resources for
food, housing, mental health and wellness, and more. Any Mountie with lived experiences
related to hunger and housing challenges willing to share is encouraged to stop by.
Free Lunch provide while supplies last.
November 19th - 12pm-2pm Location: Founders Hall
Hunger, Homelessness, and the Syllabus: Integrating Basic Needs into the Syllabus-
This session will include a brief introduction to data related to the hunger and housing
challenges that Mt. SAC students face, student voices, and a writing workshop to craft
syllabi that address basic needs. Facilitated by John Brantingham (English & Creative
Writing), Pauline Swartz (Library), and Mt. SAC students.
November 20th - 10am-11am Location: Founders Hall
Leah’s Pantry Workshop – This session will introduce how trauma and adversity impact nutritional health, eating
habits, and our relationship to food. Participants will engage in personal reflection
while identifying individual, organizational, and system approaches that prioritize
compassion and connection to promote health and well-being. This workshop is intended
for Mountie Fresh Food Pantry volunteers! Free food provided while supplies last.
November 20th - 11am-1pm Location: Founders Hall
