Single-Parent Hancock Students Receive Free Thanksgiving Meals
NOVEMBER 25, 2025-- For the 17th year in a row, Allan Hancock College provided students who are single parents with a turkey and other Thanksgiving meal items free of charge.
A total of 105 individuals and families stopped by the Hancock EOPS+ program’s Fall
Harvest Turkey Giveaway booth outside the college’s Santa Maria campus and Lompoc
Valley Center on Nov. 25, where Hancock staff provided them with everything needed
to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. The packages included a turkey, potatoes, beans, cranberry
sauce, rolls, stuffing, pumpkin pie, whipped cream, and butter. Turkey preparation
and cooking instructions were also included.
“This event is all about supporting our Hancock families and making sure they have a
warm Thanksgiving meal,” said Hancock Dean of Student Services Johnnie Owens. “The
holidays can be a difficult time for some, and we want our students and their families to
know that Hancock cares and is here for them.”
Hancock’s EOPS+ program provides resources and support to help minimize barriers and
to assist educationally and economically disadvantaged students. This year, the turkey giveaway
served students in the college’s EOPS, CARE, NextUp, CalWORKs, Rising Scholars, Guardian
Scholars, AIM to Dream, Veterans, LAP, Noncredit Counseling and Basic Needs programs.
“I’m a single mother of three, and this is going to make a big difference for our
family,” said Hancock student Vanessa Ayon. “I feel very blessed. It’s such a relief
knowing there are people out there who truly want to help.”
The turkeys and food for this year’s giveaway were purchased from Spencer’s Fresh
Market.
To learn more about Hancock’s EOPS+ programs at Hancock, visit https://www.hancockcollege.edu/eops, or call 805-922-6966 ext. 3623.
