Students and community residents gathered in Parking Lot 1 at Cerritos College for an event that has become a vital source of support for many local households.
Held every fourth Wednesday of the month, the food distribution is organized through a partnership between the LA Regional Food Bank and the college’s Falcon’s Nest, providing free groceries and essential food items to students and families facing food insecurity.
Residents move through a well-organized line with the help of more than two dozen volunteers. A police presence helped maintain smooth traffic flow as the large crowd moved, without incident. through the distribution stations.
An intern social worker at the Falcon’s Nest, emphasized the importance of the program for those struggling with rising costs and limited resources. “It’s a really great event,” she shared with a Talon marks reporter, “We’re here to help community members with food insecurity. People tell us how much of a difference it makes in their lives.”
The college has assigned volunteers to assist disabled attendees, ensuring that those unable to stand in line could still receive food through an accessible ticket system. “Many of us don’t have a fixed income,” one attendee stated, “The economy isn’t very good, and unexpected expenses make it hard to cover everything. This helps you get through the hard times.”
The overall effort was coordinated by Falcon’s Nest case manager Pamela Sepulveda, who supervised volunteers and ensured each station ran efficiently. “The main goal is to make sure students and local community members have access to food,” Sepulveda said. “With rising grocery prices, job losses, and other challenges, we just want to make sure nobody goes hungry.”
Families received a wide variety of items, including fresh produce like potatoes and apples, frozen chicken, yogurt, bread, canned goods, rice, and beans. Volunteers also help to distribute bread and dairy products, said the experience was both enjoyable and meaningful.
The Falcon’s Nest partnership with the LA Regional Food Bank has been ongoing since 2016 and now serves approximately 700 families each month. For many in the Cerritos College area, this monthly event continues to provide not only groceries, but reassurance that the community is looking out for one another.
