New food and clothing shop opens for AHC students on first day of spring classes

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria opened a new food pantry and clothing closet exclusively for students as spring classes began today.

It was a cold morning as student ambassadors set up their information booths for the first day of spring classes. 

“Seven in the morning. It was freezing. It didn't help that there was wind,” says student ambassador Kayleen Agustin.

The new building housing the pantry is “Building J.”

“There was someone that was asking about our new building. The J building offers like snacks and drinks and food to any families that are in need. As well as the Closet, which has a lot of clothes for students that have job opportunities coming up. It's not for rent. So it is free for them to keep and it also just helps them out during the winter seasons,” says Agustin. 

The goal is to help enrolled students as they tackle the barriers to their education. 

“We really try to meet their needs to ensure that they have everything they need to be successful. And especially coming into spring, where a lot of them are working towards finishing the classes they need and getting the credits they need to graduate, says Allan Hancock College Public Information Specialist Chris McGuinness. 

As classes start back up in the wake of the L.A. wildfires, cold temperatures and high winds at the end of the holiday break, this new building serves as a timely resource for those in pursuit of their futures. 

“When students have questions, if they're too nervous to come up to us, they shouldn't be. Ambassadors are out here for a reason. We never know what's going on in a person's life if they are struggling. We're here to guide them,” says Agustin.