UKIAH, CA – On Friday, September 4th Timothy Karas, Mendocino College Superintendent/President and Tom Dow, Mendocino College Foundation President accepted a $10,000 check from The Community Foundation of Mendocino County to support the Mendocino College Food Pantry. This generous donation was made possible by the Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
“The Community Foundation opened the COVID-19 Relief Fund in March after the shelter-in-place order was issued,” says Megan Barber Allende, CEO. “Our COVID-19 Relief Program has since expanded to support individuals, non-profits, and small business in Mendocino County and we are thrilled to contribute to the MC Food Pantry.” The Community Foundation has awarded over $700,000 countywide to support those impacted by the pandemic.
The MC Food Pantry established in 2015 by the Foundation to address student needs surrounding hunger. National estimates indicate that up to 70% of two-year college students will experience food insecurity during their educational journey.
Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, students who accessed the food pantry received a brown paper bag of groceries with non-perishable items. In response to Covid-19 and social distancing requirements, students who access the food pantry do so electronically and receive a grocery store gift card electronically.
Since late March, the college has distributed 201 Safeway grocery store gift cards (valued at $100 each) for a total of $20,100.
“We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to the Community Foundation of Mendocino County for their amazing support of students during this crisis,” stated Timothy Karas, Mendocino College Superintendent/President.
For more information about The Community Foundation of Mendocino County, or to donate to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, please visit www.communityfound.org
For more information about the Mendocino College Foundation or to donate towards any of their programs, please contact Katie Fairbairn, Executive Director at kfairbairn@mendocino.edu or call 707-468-3164.
