Sacramento State is stepping up to support students with food and essential resources as the government shutdown impacts federally funded assistance programs like CalFresh.Volunteers Christina Ramos and Gabriella Eutsey are frequently at the ASI Food Pantry, restocking shelves and assisting students. “It’s pretty expensive,” Ramos said of the cost of groceries. “When they hear the amount of food they’re about to get for free, they get really happy.”According to the university, at least 3,600 students are active CalFresh recipients; however, more than 40 % of the more than 31,000 students who attend Sacramento State qualify for the program.Vice President for Student Affairs Aniesha Mitchell emphasized the importance of these benefits and said there is now an urgent need for the university to step up and supplement these resources while the government remains shut down.”If they’re unable to get their CalFresh benefits, then they will not be able to get the food that they need,” Mitchell said. “We know that if our students are in their classrooms and they’re hungry, then they’re not going to be able to retain the information that they’re seeking to learn.”In addition to the food pantry, Sacramento State operates a Basic Needs Resource Center. Students are able to visit weekly, by appointment, offering a layer of confidentiality for students. The center provides food sourced from the Sacramento Food Bank and corporate partners, but Mitchell noted that supplies are depleting quickly. ” are under a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety trying to figure out where they are going to eat,” Mitchell said. “Our shelves are not as full as they typically are because they are using the services, so we are so happy that we have this resource for them to bridge the gap and support them during this time.”Beyond food, the Basic Needs Resource Center also offers clothing, toiletries, parenting supplies and other resources. Donations of new and gently used clothing, as well as toiletries and parenting supplies, can be made to the Basic Needs Resource Center on Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. Monetary donations can also be made through the Sacramento State Foundation, resource center and food pantry websites. The university is also gearing up for a Giving Tuesday campaign to further supplement the assistance resources on campus.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Sacramento State is stepping up to support students with food and essential resources as the government shutdown impacts federally funded assistance programs like CalFresh.

Volunteers Christina Ramos and Gabriella Eutsey are frequently at the ASI Food Pantry, restocking shelves and assisting students.

“It’s pretty expensive,” Ramos said of the cost of groceries. “When they hear the amount of food they’re about to get for free, they get really happy.”

According to the university, at least 3,600 students are active CalFresh recipients; however, more than 40 % of the more than 31,000 students who attend Sacramento State qualify for the program.

Vice President for Student Affairs Aniesha Mitchell emphasized the importance of these benefits and said there is now an urgent need for the university to step up and supplement these resources while the government remains shut down.

“If they’re unable to get their CalFresh benefits, then they will not be able to get the food that they need,” Mitchell said. “We know that if our students are in their classrooms and they’re hungry, then they’re not going to be able to retain the information that they’re seeking to learn.”

In addition to the food pantry, Sacramento State operates a Basic Needs Resource Center. Students are able to visit weekly, by appointment, offering a layer of confidentiality for students.

The center provides food sourced from the Sacramento Food Bank and corporate partners, but Mitchell noted that supplies are depleting quickly.

“[Our students] are under a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety trying to figure out where they are going to eat,” Mitchell said. “Our shelves are not as full as they typically are because they are using the services, so we are so happy that we have this resource for them to bridge the gap and support them during this time.”

Beyond food, the Basic Needs Resource Center also offers clothing, toiletries, parenting supplies and other resources.

Donations of new and gently used clothing, as well as toiletries and parenting supplies, can be made to the Basic Needs Resource Center on Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon.

Monetary donations can also be made through the Sacramento State Foundation, resource center and food pantry websites. The university is also gearing up for a Giving Tuesday campaign to further supplement the assistance resources on campus.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel