A University of California, Irvine undergrad, whose mother died two years ago leaving her to care for her grandfather and younger brother, was lucky when she could afford a meal for herself.
The transfer student, commuting from L.A. five days a week and working 10-15 hours per week, “was rarely eating one meal per day because she would use any funds she had to feed her grandfather and brother first. In addition, she has a medical condition (post-concussion syndrome), and her lack of appropriate nutrition was making it worse because she was always fatigued and feeling weak. One of her professors noticed that she was always tired in class, and recommended that she check out our services,” said Andrea Gutierrez, UCI’s FRESH Basic Needs Hub coordinator.
Tags: civic engagement • connected learning • equity • Food Insecurity