STOCKTON – With more than half of California community college students facing food insecurity, San Joaquin Delta College on Oct. 15 will host a virtual event highlighting the College’s Student Food Pantry.

“Student Food Insecurity: An Equity Issue” is an opportunity for alumni and the greater community to hear first-hand about the needs of Delta students and how those needs can be met. The event will include a virtual tour of the Student Food Pantry and a testimonial from a student.

The Student Food Pantry has served more than 5,600 students since it opened in March 2019. Although the physical pantry location has been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of drive-through food distribution events has assisted more than 260 students.

The College is inviting alumni and other community members and organizations to attend the Oct. 15 event and consider supporting the Student Food Pantry so this important work can continue.

“Even before the pandemic, we knew that food insecurity was a major obstacle for community college students, and now the need is greater than ever,” said Delta College Superintendent/President Dr. Omid Pourzanjani. “If students are hungry, how can we expect them to succeed in their studies? Making sure their basic needs are met will help them cross the finish line at Delta and find new jobs and career paths, which in turn will benefit the entire community.”

Anyone is welcome to attend the virtual event. In the meantime, visit the Student Food Pantry webpage for details on how to support hungry students, including the opportunity to purchase items online from Amazon and Walmart.

WHAT: “Student Food Insecurity: An Equity Issue”

WHEN: 4 p.m. Oct. 15

WHERE: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/94373593367

WHY: A survey conducted before COVID-19 found that more than half of California community college students have trouble affording balanced meals or worry about running out of food. Nearly 40,000 students from 57 community colleges participated in the survey.