Campus Resources: Who Gets Em’, Who Gives ‘Em, and What the Heck are They?
By Miranda Morgan
If you are anything like me as a college student, you have likely found yourself with zero point and zero dollars in the bank on more than one occasion. If you said yes to the above, you have also probably gone without meals, missed class or found yourself screaming into your pillow because of this.
Tucked away in the AD building lies a tiny, but mighty, room known as Panther Essentials (AD-189). Recognizing the common struggle among college students (aka constant brokenness), they offer a variety of services and events to help unburden our financial woes. From hygiene kits and a food pantry, to transportation assistance, the available resources are endless.
According to Kelvin Smith, one of the Center Assistans from Panther Essentials, any student can grab a variety of resources from them: monthly hygiene kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper and menstrual products), monthly diapers for students with children (two packs of diapers and one pack of wipes per child) and weekly food boxes. They also provide $6 daily snack vouchers (once they run out, they offer up to three snacks) and $20 vouchers for the biweekly farmer’s markets ($10 for fresh produce, $10 for hot foods).
Reiterating their generosity, Smith stated that, “You don’t have to get everything, but if you want everything, we will give it to you.”
Personal tip: If you want to claim those vouchers, wake up bright and early! They are usually gone by 8:30 a.m.
To claim these goods, he puts it simply: “Students just need to walk into the center and let us know what they would like to get – that’s pretty much it!”
In addition to the in-person provisions, there are two resources that can be found online: emergency grants and the meal assistance program. These are great for students who want a little extra help during moments of major financial burden.
When interviewed, one student was largely unaware of the resources provided by Chaffey College. Kayla Ochoa, 23, majoring in ultrasound technician, when informed of the farmer’s market and vouchers, stated, “Is that what was happening yesterday? Ooh, that’s so fun!”
Food services and farmer's markets aren't the only things Chaffey provides though. In an effort to make arrivals easier to class, student IDs also grant Omnitrans privileges. According to the Transportation page of Chaffey’s website, to claim public transit benefits, all you need to do is, “Present your student ID and get unlimited free rides on any Omnitrans fixed route as part of the Omnitrans Go Smart Program.”
Jose Velasco, 19, an engineering major, makes great use of the services offered on campus. “I have a ($6) voucher in my backpack right now…typically I also take the bus here, using my ID for free fare.” When asked if there was anything else Chaffey could implement to further serve their students, Velasco said, “I think everything they [Chaffey] have available is great for us right now!”
If you have financially struggled, there are options for escaping that stress, just a cross-campus walk away. Stop down by AD-189 one of these days, or pull out that student ID on the bus, because when you are already tasked with pursuing your education, worrying about getting a bite to eat or making it to class should not be a daily struggle.