To Address Student Hunger & Food Scarcity Challenges East Los Angeles College Foundation Launches “1000 Meals Challenge” Initiative & Program
East Los Angeles, CA- On Tuesday, December 3, 2019, East Los Angeles College (ELAC) launched the “1000 Meals Challenge” initiative and program during the global day of giving known as “Giving Tuesday.”
The ELAC community launched the Transforming Lives (TLC) Annual Giving Campaign two years ago during “Giving Tuesday.” As part of the ELAC family, we all work to help our students achieve success in their educational pursuits. Unfortunately, too many of our students are facing significant challenges, far beyond the cost of textbooks or tuition, directly affecting their ability to focus on and complete their educational goals. According to a recent ELAC ASU poll of our students: 70.3% of our students have experienced hunger/food insecurity on campus, and 67.7% of our students feel that ELAC needs to work on providing programs to tackle student hunger/food insecurity.
As a part of the TLC Campaign, the ELAC Foundation “1000 Meals Challenge” program was created to support our students. ELAC students receive a minimum of 21 $5 vouchers (7 days, 3 meals a day) to be used at local restaurants. The vouchers will have the company’s name on it, along with a tracking number. Furthermore, as a supporter, the restaurant will receive a sticker (see attached file), which they can place at their establishment to proudly display their support of our students.
“On my visit to East Los Angeles College, we learned that up to 70 percent of ELAC students are facing food insecurity. As someone who had to work full-time while going to school full-time, I know how difficult this can be. As part of #GivingTuesday, I donated $5,000 to sponsor 1000 meals to help these students. Thank you to all the local restaurants and companies including Pacific Dinning, Panda Express and McDonald’s for partnering with ELAC to address this problem. But we all need to pitch in to make sure that our students have access to wholesome meals and adequate housing,” said CA State Senator Susan Rubio.
“If we expect our students to attend college and graduate, we must address needs far beyond the cost of tuition and books, and that includes food scarcity. That is why I full-heartedly support this program, even though we are already addressing these challenges in our district, I know this innovative initiative and approach can help even more students,” said Andra Hoffman, President of Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees.
“As a foundation we embrace the mission of the Transforming Lives Campaign. An alarming number of students deal with the reality of food insecurity. Through community partnerships, we support our local businesses who in turn whole-heartedly support our students. The ‘1000 meals Challenge’ is beyond reciprocation of services & support. Together we are truly transforming the lives of our ambitious, committed students who recognize education as a path to their success,” said Kassandra M. Sánchez, member of the ELAC Foundation Board of Directors.
“Through this support of food, we hope to engage the Los Angeles community of restaurants to help feed the most in need with their best food,” said Dr. Gabriel Buelna, 2nd VP of Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees.
The program hopes that by joining the “1000 Meals Challenge” initiative and program restaurants will not only support ELAC students (60,000 plus) by providing a dignified way for students to enjoy a hot meal while embracing and promoting a culture of philanthropy within our communities.
The current “1000 Meals Challenge” partners include (in alphabetic order): Armando’s Mexican Restaurant, Carrows Restaurant, La Azteca Tortilleria, McDonald’s, Pacific Dining, Panda Express, So-Cal Burgers Chill & Grill, Tamales Lilianas, and Z’s Crazy Good.
