The Long Beach City College (LBCC) received a donation of 90 cases of food, and 5,000 KN-95 masks on Thurs., Feb. 3 from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. The food was collected for the College’s Viking Vault food pantries and will be distributed to Long Beach City College students in need.

“Many of our students have been negatively impacted by the pandemic,” said Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees President Uduak-Joe Ntuk. “We appreciate the generosity of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. This food and high-quality masks will help ease the burden of hunger for students who face food insecurity and help them be safer this semester.”

The Council of Carpenters has collected food specifically for LBCC students since 2018. According to Frank Zambrano, of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, many of the union members have children who struggle through the college system which made it very relatable for the employees.

“This community is important to the Carpenters Union,” Zambrano said. “At this college, these students are the future of America. And as Union Carpenters, we build America. We look forward to continuing to build this partnership with LBCC and work together to provide for Long Beach City College students and make sure that they reach their fullest potential and goals.”

The food drive was a one-day collaborative effort of the Postal Service-Cal Fed and the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters who donated non-perishable cans and dry goods.

The office of Student Health established food pantries called “Viking Vault” at both campuses. The Viking Vaults provides nutritional items for students to eat both on campus and to take for meal preparation off-campus.

“LBCC has really ramped it up when making efforts to help our students who are in need,” said LBCCD Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz. “We welcome this wonderful gift from Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters right before the start of Spring Semester.”

For more information on donating non-perishable food items, toiletries, or financial assistance, please contact the LBCC Foundation at (562) 938-4134 or Student Health Services at (562) 938-3032.