Overview

Cerritos College has taken significant steps to address food insecurity among its students by launching the Falcons Nest. This initiative aims to provide essential resources to students who may be struggling to meet their basic needs, including food, hygiene products, and housing support.

With a substantial portion of its student body facing food insecurity, Cerritos College has partnered with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to create a supportive environment that fosters academic success and overall well-being.

Key details

  • Cerritos College is one of the largest community colleges in Los Angeles County.
  • Over two-thirds of Cerritos College students are reported to struggle with food insecurity.
  • The Falcons Nest serves as a food market offering food, hygiene assistance, a professional closet, and housing support.
  • The partnership between Cerritos College and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank aims to help students succeed academically and personally.
  • A monthly drive-through food distribution is organized to assist not only students but also the wider community.
  • In 2019, Cerritos College received 403,729 pounds of food from the Food Bank.
  • Food deliveries to the college doubled during the pandemic, with over 817,000 pounds received in 2020.
  • From March 2020 to July 2021, more than 1.1 million pounds of food were distributed to students.
  • Pamela Sepulveda, LCSW, is the Program Manager for Falcons Nest and plays a key role in running the food distributions.
  • Sepulveda gathers insights from students about their struggles with food insecurity and financial challenges.
  • The stories of students motivate Sepulveda and her team to continue their efforts in supporting the college community.

Context

The issue of food insecurity among college students has become increasingly recognized, with many students attending classes without adequate nutrition. This situation not only affects their academic performance but also their mental and physical health.

What happens next

Cerritos College will continue its partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to provide ongoing support through the Falcons Nest and monthly food distributions, aiming to alleviate the challenges faced by food-insecure students.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific impact of the Falcons Nest on student academic performance and mental health, as well as future plans for expanding its services, have not been confirmed.