Single-Parent Students Receive Free Thanksgiving Meals
NOVEMBER 23, 2021 -- For the thirteenth year in a row, Allan Hancock College’s CARE program provided students who are single parents with a turkey and other Thanksgiving meal items free of charge.
Ninety families stopped by CARE’s “Turkey Fest” booth outside the college’s Santa Maria campus on Nov. 23, where CARE staff provided them with everything they would need to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving meal. The packages included a turkey, potatoes, beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, stuffing, pumpkin pie, whipped cream and butter. The packages also included directions on how to prepare and cook the turkey.
“It's a really heartwarming event that we look forward to every year," said Hancock CARE/EOPS Coordinator Alex Spiess. "The students are always so happy and excited to be able to put a Thanksgiving meal on their table."
The Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) program is a state-funded program for single parents attending Hancock. The program provides support services such as tutoring, academic counseling, computer access, and a play area for the student’s children. This year, the turkey giveaway was expanded beyond students in the CARE program, and also included students in Hancock’s EOPS, NextUp, CalWORKs, Rising Scholars, Guardian Scholars, AIM to Dream, CAN/TRIO, Veterans, LAP, Noncredit Counseling and Basic Needs programs.
Funds to purchase the turkeys and other food items were donated by Hancock staff, faculty, administrators and members of the college’s Board of Trustees.
“We are very grateful for the generosity of the employees and community members who donated this year,” said Spiess. “They have really made a difference for these students and their families.”
To learn more about the CARE program, visit https://www.hancockcollege.edu/eops/care.php or call 805-922-6966 ext. 3623.
- AHC -
Photo Caption: Allan Hancock College’s CARE program provided students who are single parents with a turkey and other Thanksgiving meal items free of charge on Nov. 23.
