United Way Donates 1,600 Hygiene Kits to Support Mt. SAC Students
September 23, 2026 - 02:34 PM
More than 1,600 Hygiene kits were delivered on Sept. 21 to Mt. SAC’s Basic Needs Resource Center, courtesy of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and AAA Auto Club.
“I, honestly, wasn’t expecting this much,” said Rigo Estrada, Mt. SAC Basic Needs Resources Director. “It looks like we have close to 100 boxes filled with these kits.”
The drop off came after a whirlwind morning during which the United Way of Greater L.A. and Orange County partnered with AAA Auto Club to break the world record building the most hygiene kits in an hour. Mt. SAC was one of many recipients of the kits built during the successful record attempt.
“AAA had 1,000 employees come out to build these kits,” said Denise Ocana , Senior Partner Engagement Manager at United Way of Greater L.A. “One of our biggest priorities this year is to focus on community college students.”
Estrada said these critical items will be distributed to the most at-risk students across campus and shared some alarming statistics.
“Forty-five percent of our students are food insecure,” Estrada said. “Fifty-five percent are housing insecure with 18 percent experiencing homelessness.”
The kits come with 12 items, including toiletries and other items to meet critical needs. Estrada says the kits can be supplemented to meet specific needs of students, such as with menstrual hygiene products.
Estrada said the Mt. SAC Foundation brought the donation to him and, “The United Way team really jumped into action thinking of ways they can support us right away.”
“I am deeply grateful to partners like United Way and AAA for investing in our students and helping them thrive,” said Associate VP of External Affairs and Advancement Joshua Canada. “Their generosity provides students with essential supplies and resources that can make a meaningful difference in their ability to learn and succeed.”
Estrada agreed, noting that the 1,600 hygiene kits from the United Way will provide meaningful support to Mt. SAC’s Basic Needs efforts and help ensure students have access to essential items through the Winter Intersession.
Want to partner? Reach out to foundation@mtsac.edu
Click to View Gallery (Photos: Robert Bledsoe)
