Local & Community
Almost 40,000 College Students in Riverside County Are Now Eligible for CalFresh Benefits
College students who are struggling with food and housing insecurity are encouraged to apply for a program that can help them stretch their food budgets and eat healthier, county officials and student advocates said this week.
Nearly 40,000 college students in Riverside County are now eligible for CalFresh. But officials say less than 10 percent of eligible students in the county have signed up.
Congress temporarily expanded food assistance to college students in January’s pandemic relief package, said Allison Gonzalez, assistant director of the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS).
“We want to make sure our local students know this help is available. They should not have to worry about being able to afford their next meal,” Gonzalez said. “Our caseworkers are ready to see if they are eligible and enroll them.”
Hunger and food insecurity are widespread on college campuses and impact as many as one in three students, according to a survey by the California Student Aid Commission. Students who qualify for CalFresh receive a monthly benefit of $234, enough for about 60 jars of peanut butter.
Kalayah Wilson is among 436 CalFresh recipients at UC Riverside. Wilson, 21, a third-year undergraduate, balances online classes with her job as a campus food pantry worker, guiding peers to resources during the pandemic and urging them to see if they qualify for CalFresh.
“This resource definitely helps me to live independently and eat healthy,” said Wilson. “It has motivated me to learn new recipes and try organic food items.”
Outreach efforts along with the yearlong pandemic have helped boost student enrollment into CalFresh, which is administered by Riverside County DPSS. Other local campuses also have dedicated resources to informing students about CalFresh and resources to help.
Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC), for example, collaborates with a team to promote the program during weekly drive-through food distributions. They are also preparing a private space inside a food pantry where students can sign up for CalFresh once their shuttered campuses reopen.
“Even with these efforts, we still struggle in helping our students to know what services are available to them,” said John Colson, vice president of Student Services at MSJC.
Student peer navigators are critical to inform and provide support, Wilson adds. “Sometimes all you need is that one person who is encouraging you to apply.”
Signing up involves checking on eligibility criteria and filling out an online application. If approved, the student will receive the food benefit within 30 days. Students who feel they might qualify can ask for assistance through their college campus or can apply online directly at students.getcalfresh.org.
How to apply:
- Online: GetCalFresh.org
- By phone: (877) 847-3663
- In-person: Check campus directories or visit www.rivcodpss.org for a DPSS office location nearest you.
Top five colleges with highest CalFresh participation:
- Riverside City College District: 669
- Mt. San Jacinto College: 467
- UC Riverside: 436
- College of the Desert: 216
- CSU San Bernardino: 165
Source: Riverside County DPSS, March 2021
By: NBC Palm Springs
April 7, 2021
Latest Instagram Posts
Alice B. has announced its closing its doors. It’s cozy atmosphere and unique seasonal menu made it a must try and even landed it in the Michelin guide. @susanfeniger and @marysuemilliken left their mark on the desert over at Living Out and it will be missed. Here’s a clip from one of our last interviews with Susan.
Cathedral City City Council votes to rename “LGBT+ Days” to “Cathedral City Pride”. The council approved the change in a 5-0 vote during its latest meeting, updating the official name of the city’s annual celebration. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to see what this means to the Coachella Valley Community #CathedralCity #pride #CityCouncil #CoachellaValley #LocalNews
Discover the Coachella Valley with the Everything Palm Springs app. From iconic attractions and hidden gems to local restaurants, shops, entertainment and even filming locations, the map-based app is designed to help both visitors and locals find more of what the desert has to offer. Creator Lindsay Kinkle is also expanding the app with video tours and narrated guides, giving users another way to explore Palm Springs and the surrounding communities. Local businesses like Buena Matcha are also getting a chance to connect with new customers through the platform. As Lindsay says, there’s so much to do and enjoy here — you just have to know where to look. #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #EverythingPalmSprings #PalmSpringsApp #VisitPalmSprings DesertLife LocalBusiness CoachellaValleyBusiness NBCPalmSprings
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
What’s next for Palm Desert? Join community leaders, local businesses and regional stakeholders for the 2026 State of the City Address. Topics: • Economic Development • Infrastructure • Public Safety • Community Programs • Palm Desert’s Future CTA: Friday, September 18 | 11:30 AM JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
Former Silvercrest CEO, William Rodriguez is expected back in court today in connection with the deadly 2024 Cathedral City hit and run that killed a woman. The murder charge was dismissed, but Rodriguez still faces felony hit and run and suspended license charges.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Murder suspect Vicky Kim has once again not been cleared to appear in court. Kim is accused of killing her husband at their Palm Desert condominium complex. Her arraignment has now been delayed three times. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs as we track the latest developments in this case. #VickyKim #PalmDesert #CoachellaValley #BreakingNews #CourtUpdate NBCPalmSprings
Palm Springs is mourning the loss of beloved entertainer James “Gypsy” Haake, who has died at 94. Haake began his entertainment career at just 19 years old as a Broadway chorus dancer. After retiring from the stage, he returned to performing at 82, becoming the host of Carnival Cabaret at Oscars in downtown Palm Springs. A longtime friend of our station, Haake was a familiar and beloved figure in the Palm Springs entertainment community — and his contributions were recognized with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. His career spanned more than seven decades, proving that the spotlight never truly left him. ❤️ Rest in peace, James “Gypsy” Haake. Your legacy will live on in Palm Springs. #JamesGypsyHaake #PalmSprings #PalmSpringsWalkOfStars #CarnivalCabaret #PalmSpringsEntertainment #OscarsPalmSprings #PalmSpringsHistory
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry