Long Beach City College (LBCC) received a donation of more than 80 cases of food today, Sept. 21, from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. The food will be distributed to LBCC students in need.

“Long Beach Community College District is grateful to the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters for their support of our students as the beneficiary of this very generous donation,” said Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees President Sunny Zia. “Our students are dealing with many challenges on a daily basis. More and more students are dealing with food insecurity and are too hungry to learn. This donation will be a huge help as we continue our efforts in ending food and housing insecurity at LBCC.”

President Zia and Superintendent-President Dr. Reagan F. Romali were on hand at the LBCC Pacific Coast Campus to accept a variety of pastas, mixes and canned goods from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Special Representative Ted Jimenez and other members of the Carpenters union.

The Carpenters’ Volunteer Committee had previously donated their time assisting the United Way in unloading their rigs. In return, the United Way provided pallets of food for the Union to distribute to local non-profit groups.

It was Jimenez who initially contacted Zia about making the donation. Zia and LBCCD Board Member Virginia Baxter lead a LBCC Foundation Associate Group that assists students in need.

“This fell into place so well,” said Jimenez. “The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters are always looking for ways to help our community because of our love for this country. When I heard about LBCC students facing hunger, we knew this was the right way to give back. I want to thank Randy Thornhill, the Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. Randy has always encouraged our union to be active in our community. This donation would not have happened without Randy’s strong support.”

Throughout the past two years, LBCC’s Student Health Services and Foundation Associate Group have initiated a series of efforts to help alleviate the shelter and food insecurities faced by at least one in every 10 students. For more information on donating non-perishable food items or financial assistance, please contact the LBCC Foundation at (562) 938-4134.