Long Beach, Calif. - Students can learn about the CalFresh outreach program and receive nutrition assistance at CalFresh Outreach Day, which will take place on October 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University Student Union (USU) Southeast Terrace.
CalFresh is a nutrition assistance program that helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need. Each semester, the program holds an outreach day for students to learn about the program, engage in an eligibility prescreen and receive help with their application. Students can be eligible to receive up to $196 per month in the form of a "food scholarship." If they are working part-time, participating in EOP or DSPS, or approved for Work-Study, they also may qualify.
"This is a great opportunity for students to learn about ways that the state of California and Long Beach State support them," said Mercedes Costello, one of the staff members leading the CalFresh efforts on campus.
CalFresh benefits can be used at certain local farmers markets in addition to grocery stores and markets. CalFresh is the USDA-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the state of California. "Though it too often goes unnoticed by the general student population, CalFresh offers an invaluable service and demonstrates care for people's wellness," said Costello.
This special event will feature onsite social workers from the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services and in addition to the outreach day, CalFresh will host appointments and drop-in hours during each semester in the Student Health Center. The CalFresh Outreach Program will be partnering with the ASI Beach Pantry, Sustain U and Student Health Services and is a part of the CSULB Basic Needs Program, housed by the CSULB Division of Student Affairs. Throughout the day the hashtag "#FeedLBState" will be used to promote the many services offered.
For more information on the program at Long Beach State University visit www.csulb.edu/calfresh.
