pantry | Sonya Christian's Blog

The community supporting our students. Thanksgiving 2014.

Student Government Association President Alex Dominguez and Student Pantry Coordinator Gabby Caraballo receive turkey vouchers from California Water Service.

Here is a draft blog post from last year that was not published. Enjoy!

Just in time for Thanksgiving last year, our Student Government Association worked with Senator Jean Fuller and the California Water Service to distribute vouchers for free Thanksgiving turkeys to students through the Renegade Pantry.

Senator Fuller said of the program “To say ‘thanks’ for all of this year’s blessings, I partnered with California Water Service again to distribute 100 Thanksgiving turkey vouchers throughout each county within the 18th Senate District to benefit needy families, veterans, homeless persons, and the elderly. Special thanks to California Water Service for its generosity and all of the other partners who assisted me in the distribution.”

Bakersfield College was pleased to participate in the annual program, and support our needy students and their families with the main part of their holiday meal!

BC Renegade Pantry Fundraises with United Way

Della Hodson, Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Kern County, Liz Peisner, Dalton Martino, and Shelby Sward.

On Thursday evening, May 15, the United Way of Kern County’s Women’s Leadership Council hosted an event at The Mark, to benefit the BC Renegade Pantry. KCCD Associate Vice Chancellor Dr. Michele Bresso opened the presentation with remarks, and Director of Student Life Dr. Elizabeth Peisner was asked to share some highlights of the BC Renegade Pantry, our proposed expansion of services, and the benefits to our students in need.

We were joined by SGA President, Ms. Shelby Sward, and Renegade Pantry Coordinator, Mr. Dalton Martino, who met with members of the community to share their insights about the Pantry.

Faculty and staff from BC, including Ms. Shohreh Rahman, were in attendance.

Other highlights of the evening included about 100 pounds of canned goods and non-perishable food items donated to the Pantry, and nearly $500. was raised in one night, all to benefit BC students in need.

The partnership began because The Renegade Pantry was the featured community project of United Way of Kern County’s Women’s Leadership Council. To drive home the impact of hunger, attendees answered a questionnaire as an icebreaker, filled with information about hunger in America, food banks on college campuses, BC stats about our students, and the history of our Renegade Pantry.

Community leaders in attendance requested to partner with BC, the Office of Student Life, and the Renegade Pantry, for upcoming donation drives, including Macy’s – Bakersfield.

Many thanks to United Way of Kern County CEO Della Hodson, for reaching out to Bakersfield College in partnership to benefit our students!