Student Cupboard Helps One Student Feed Entire Family
FRESNO, Calif.—There are many responsibilities associated with being a student in college.
Working several jobs to put food on the table for your six siblings and mother, is not in the typical list of student duties.
For fifth year student Maria Salazar, balancing these jobs, an internship and working towards a bachelor’s degree consumed her first three years of college.
But just last year, everything changed.
Salazar was able to become a regular student again, when she found out about the Fresno State Student Cupboard.
“My mom would sometimes have to be like, ‘can you guys just snack on something tonight?’” Salazar said. “Now I just tell her ‘we’re good. We have stuff. We don’t have to struggle for anything anymore.’”
After opening in November 2014, the student cupboard has helped over 140-thousand people by giving them access to free meals.
By using their Fresno State student I.D. as a type of membership card, students are able to utilize all the cupboard has to offer.
Interim coordinator of the Food Security Project, Tianna Arredondo remembers what it was like when she was a student using the cupboard.
“I was able to wander in and wander out and see Jessica and see these smiling faces who care,” Arredondo says. “So now I’m just honored to be able to be that for other students.”
According to Vice President of Student Affairs, Janell Morillo, Ed.D, students like Salazar have President and First Lady Castro to thank for creating this entire project.
“It was the vision of Dr. Castro and our first lady Mary Castro to have a place for students to receive food for those that might be in need,” Morillo says. “And to really serve as a bridge for our students so that way they can really focus on their studies.”
With their generosity, Salazar is now able to focus on her studies, as she prepares to graduate this spring.
“I really want to finish my time at Fresno State with strong grades,” Salazar said. “It’s a lot easier to focus when I know my family is taken care of.”