Copyright San Diego Union-Tribune
The federal government shutdown has already affected older adults, veterans and families across the country. But now, it’s hitting a group too often forgotten in these political fights — community college students. As a trustee at Southwestern College, I see firsthand the daily struggles of our students. Many are parents, caretakers or full-time employees juggling classes, jobs and family responsibilities. The delay of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known in California as CalFresh, could devastate the lives of many who rely on this critical program to meet their most basic need: food. According to the California Policy Lab, roughly 22% of California Community College students, about 346,000 individuals, are eligible for CalFresh benefits, yet only one in four of those eligible (26%) receive them. That means tens of thousands of students who should have food assistance are already going without. For those fortunate enough to receive benefits, the shutdown-induced delay threatens to cut them off entirely. The broader picture is sobering. In a 2022 article, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that over 4 million Californians receive CalFresh benefits, with an average of $166 per month. Among them are an estimated 127,000 college students, according to the California Department of Social Services. Here in San Diego County, more than 500,000 residents rely on CalFresh, a number that includes thousands of students from Southwestern and neighboring community colleges. Food insecurity among college students is not new, but it’s growing. A recent California Community College survey found that half of community college students experienced food insecurity in the past 30 days, and 41% had skipped meals or cut portion sizes because they couldn’t afford enough food. These aren’t just statistics, they represent our students sitting in class hungry, exhausted, and anxious about where their next meal will come from. For many, CalFresh isn’t a handout, it’s a lifeline that allows them to stay focused, attend class and pursue their degrees. Without it, students face an impossible choice: buy groceries or pay rent; eat dinner or fill their gas tank to get to campus. That’s why I’m urging all our federal elected officials to put people over politics and end this shutdown immediately. Because one student going hungry due to government inaction is one too many. Community college students are striving to build better futures for themselves and their families. Cutting off their access to food is not just cruel, it’s counterproductive. The shutdown doesn’t just freeze government operations; it freezes opportunity, hope and potential. Southwestern College will continue to support our students during this difficult time. Our Jag Kitchen at the Chula Vista campus and our Jag Kitchenettes at our Higher Education Centers will remain open during school hours and be available to any student seeking food or support. These resources are a testament to our college’s unwavering commitment to doing our part to ensure that no student in our community goes hungry, no matter what happens in Washington. Our students deserve better. Let’s reopen the government and keep food on their tables. Moreno, a member of the Southwestern Community College District Governing Board who represents the communities of National City and Northwest Chula Vista, is a resident of Chula Vista.
