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 and Services

The Coyote Cupboard is located in Room 145, across from the fountain on the first floor.

The hours for the Coyote Cupboard:

Coyote Cupboard Guidelines

1. Please check in with a student worker at the front desk
   1. Provide your Student ID, Household number.
2. If you are needing to take items for yourself and or family:
   1. You may take 10 items off the shelf
   2. You make take 2 items from the refrigerator
   3. Hygiene kit
   4. Toilet paper (2)
3. If you need a quick snack:
   1. Please let the student worker show you around and help you grab an item you would like to make and or heat up.
4. Please only take items you will use and need, please do not waste.
5. The cupboard is only stocked ONCE a month.
6. If there is an item you don’t see, please leave a suggestion with the student worker.

We are supporting students with CALFresh information and application support inside the cupboard.

Please stop by and see the pantry, we are here to support you and your academic journey. #CCCares

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