Counselors and students at College of the Canyons (COC) are working to assist students with food insecurities, in an effort to allow students to focus on their education and not worry about basic living necessities.

Silvie Faust, health and wellness case manager at COC, started an on-campus food pantry in 2015 with not many resources, and since then the pantry’s supply and outreach has grown.

Faust began working at COC three years ago, and recalled when the student homeless population was unknown to a majority of the community.

The case manager recognized the need for action and took it upon herself to gather resources for COC students that were in need.

“My initial job is to actually link students with services,” said Faust. “I have a lot of students that come in that are homeless, meaning they’re not living at home — they’re couchsurfing, living in a car or somewhere else.”

In addition to the food pantry, COC staff members are in partnership with many city and county programs that are now coming on-campus to make it easier for students to register.

COC also has a “Homeless and Foster Youth Liaison” that helps students sign up for county programs without leaving the campus.

“We’re going to have a lot of contractors to assist us to get students these resources,” said Faust. “We’re trying to make it easy for students to have those services available to them, instead of running around town trying to figure out what they need.”

College of the Canyons was recently awarded funds through a statewide grant allocated to help stock on-campus food pantries to help students experiencing food insecurities.

Mary Manuel, director of the Student Health and Wellness Center at College of the Canyons, explained how the grant money will be used:

“We will be using that money provided by the chancellor’s office to replenish the food storage that we need in the Health Center,” said Manuel. “We were also allowed to hire someone to work in the food pantry to extend the hours.”

The COC Food Pantry, since its beginning, now has one employee that takes care of the day-to-day responsibilities.

Chris Hopgood, a College of the Canyons student who works in the food pantry, was hired in February after funds were contributed by the state to help facilitate the food pantry.

“This work is a privilege. I have been given an opportunity to serve my school community,” said Hopgood. “I can’t think of a better way to be a part of the collective good.”

Hopgood is the sole employee who is running the food pantry, which goes beyond stocking and shelving basic need and food items; he also makes connections by simply walking up and talking with students on campus

The student described some of the challenges he faces in his efforts to make a difference in students’ lives at COC:

“My challenges are raising awareness,” said Hopgood. “We are in our infancy right now. We need coverage in the Santa Clarita Valley to raise awareness and access the generosity of the community.”

Although the pantry is receiving support from the state, donations from surrounding communities are welcome.

Currently, the pantry is in need of non-perishable food items donations, such as canned or packaged items, in addition to clothing, toiletries and school supplies.

The COC Food Pantry is open Mon – Thurs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Wed with additional hours from 2:30-4:30 pm.

Anyone interested in making donations to the COC Food Pantry can contact Chris Hopgood at (323) 821-9388.

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