Bakersfield College Basic Needs crew hosted an information tent to spread awareness to students for the beginning of CalFresh awareness month on May 1, held at the Renegade Crossroads from 10:00 a.m-2:00p.m on the Panorama campus.

CalFresh, known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), is a program where students in need of groceries can apply for money to buy food. To apply a student must meet certain financial requirements which are determined by gross monthly income, net monthly income, and assets. For instance, a household that doesn’t insist on an elderly or disability must meet $2,250. Meanwhile, households that do meet that requirement must have assets of $3,500 or less. The amount of money students can obtain depends on the size of their household and can range from $291- over $1,000.
Basic Needs assistant, Alexis Moran, informs students on what CalFresh is about and the beneficiaries that will aid them on their academic journey.

BC students not only have help from academic services, but as well as putting food on the table outside of school with other beneficial needs that some students struggle with. About 32% of students at Bakersfield College are eligible and have received the funds given by CalFresh.

The Panorama Bakersfield College campus also provides the Renegade Nexus Pantry that supplies students’ needs on and off campus. They can also assist with the CalFresh application.

Moran mentions, “It’s basically the food stamp program in California and we are here to let students know that they can be eligible for it and we also have resources for them to book an appointment with us.” More information or questions can be helped through the office phone number (661-395-4383) or [email protected].