During an Ohio State University 2017 study on Collegiate Financial Wellness, it was discovered that 58.7% of Cerro Coso students worry about not having enough money for food to get them through the month. That is 9.7% higher than the sampled average of other community colleges.
Coyote Cupboard was created to address food insecurity for students. It is Cerro Coso's belief that no student should have to learn on an empty stomach. Bags of food are for ANY student who is hungry and needs food. There are no requirements to receiving a bag of food, CC wants to make sure food and toiletries go to ANYONE who needs them.
Food Distributions and Services
Fall/Spring 2021/2022 Distribution Dates
Drive-thru LRC: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Please use Coyote Cupboard Distribution Route
All safety precautions will be in effect during these events. You will need to come with a mask and stay in your car while CC Staff provides a bag of food for you.
We also need people to attend by alphabet. If the first initial of your last names begins with A-M, please attend the drive-thru from 3:30 to 4:30 and if your last name begins with N-Z, please attend from 4:40 to 5:30. Thank you.
- August 19, 2021 (during CC Rocks)
- September 23, 2021
- October 21, 2021
- November 18, 2021
- December 2, 2021
- January 20, 2022
- February 24, 2022
- March 24, 2022
- April 21, 2022
- May 5, 2022
Ridgecrest Campus Students – If you are in need of food and toiletries, please reach out to Kathryn.bachman@cerrocoso.edu or outreach@cerrocoso.edu to request support and or ask further questions.
How can I help?
Donate Food and Goods
Donate non-perishable items and hygiene products:
Donations are accepted year-round in the Student Activities Office (MB113).
Needed items:
- Non-perishable food
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Kleenex
- Reusable plastic and cloth bags
Donate Money
Monetary donations can be made to Coyote Cupboard through the Cerro Coso Community College (CCCC) Foundation. The CCCC Foundation has established a new fund to collect donations that will allow us to create and sustain campus food pantries at all CCCC campuses.
Under Fund Designation,
choose Coyote Cupboard.
For Cerro Coso Faculty and Staff Only: If you are interested in providing monetary donations to this fund on an ongoing basis through payroll deduction, please contact Human Resources.
How are donations used?
Food and hygiene products donated to CCCC are used at food drives hosted on all campus sites. Monetary donations are used to purchase food and hygiene products from partnered food banks at a significantly reduced rate. Additional funds will be used to fund a permanent food pantry location on campus.
Are my monetary donations tax-deductible?
The Cerro Coso Community College Foundation is a 501(c) (3) organization. All gifts to the foundation qualify for the maximum allowable deduction under the law. Donors should consult their tax counsel to determine the tax-deductibility of any gift as it relates to their personal situation.
Additional Resources
Calfresh Program
Benefits Helpline 1-877-847-3663
Kern County Food Bank
800-273-2275 you must provide a CA DL, CA ID or Social security Number. Please call this number and verify for place and time, it is subject to change.
Kern DHS
145 E. Ridgecrest Blvd. 760-499-5200
Food distribution in Ridgecrest, CA
Subject to Change
Desert Christian Center
100 E. Bataan Ave. 760-375-9954
Nonperishable food give-away on the 4th Sunday of the month.
Grace Lutheran Church
502 N. Norma St. 760-375-9768
Food Pantry: Mon-Thurs 8:00am-5:00pm and Sundays 8:00am-2:00pm
Immanuel Baptist's Ministry Center
1201 N. China Lake Blvd. 760-446-4531
Free Dinner: Monday 6:00pm-6:30 pm
Clothing Closet: Monday, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Salvation Army
151 N. Downs St. 760-375-7219
Food Pantry: MoTuThFr 9:00am-11:00am
Commodities: 3rd. Thurs 8:00am-11:00am
St. Ann's Catholic Church
446 W. Church St. 760-375-2110
Food Pantry: Mon-Fri 9:00am-11:00am
Free Dinner: Varies, must call for dates & Times
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
200 W. Drummond Ave. 760-446-5816
Food Baskets: Tuesdays 9am-12pm.
United Methodist Church
635 N. Norma St. 760-375-7434
Free Dinner: Friday 5:00pm-6:00pm
