UCR students advocate for $60 million funding for Cal Food program

Students from the University of California Riverside (UCR) passionately advocated for increased funding for food assistance programs during a recent Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance meeting. The current proposal allocates only $8 million, a drastic reduction from previous years, which students argue is insufficient to combat food insecurity on campus.

Brianna Chahil, a UCR student, emphasized the dire need for support, stating, "I implore you all to allocate a minimum of $60 million to these programs to adequately support and feed students like myself." She highlighted the challenges faced by students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, in accessing food assistance.

Melissa Delgadio, representing over 27,000 students, echoed this sentiment, urging the committee to restore $16 million annually to the Cal Food program, which directly supports campus food pantries. "Food security is student success," she declared, underscoring the critical link between adequate nutrition and academic performance.

Other students shared personal stories of struggle, with many relying on campus resources to meet their basic needs. Fatima Garcia noted that an estimated 1.3 million college students across California face food insecurity, a reality that affects their ability to focus on studies.

The students' collective message was clear: without adequate funding, many will continue to face hunger, which ultimately impacts their education and future. They called on the committee to recognize food security as a fundamental right and to prioritize funding for programs that support vulnerable populations.

As discussions continue, the students remain hopeful that their voices will lead to a restoration of funding that reflects the urgent needs of their community.