The University of California, Irvine’s Basic Needs Center, in collaboration with the Orange County Social Services Agency, has reported significant progress in addressing student food insecurity through a series of CalFresh enrollment events. The campus recently hosted its 41st event and achieved a 96 percent approval rate for student applicants since the beginning of the year, which is more than double the average approval rate for college students across California.
This partnership model is now being adopted as the basis for a new initiative involving ten counties across the state, aiming to help other colleges and universities replicate UC Irvine’s approach.
“Seeing so many students gain access to CalFresh benefits through our enrollment parties has been incredibly rewarding,” said Andrea Mora, director of the UCI Basic Needs Center. “The impact goes beyond numbers – it’s about ensuring that every student has the resources they need to focus on their education without worrying about where their next meal will come from.”
Mora noted that recent survey data shows 43 percent of UC Irvine students experience food insecurity. In response, the center has increased its enrollment event capacity from 60 to as many as 120 students per session and plans further expansion.
“We have this additional component where not only can students apply and interview on site, but the county brings its mobile response vehicle with an [electronic benefit transfer] card printer – so the students are actually walking away with their EBT card printed and their benefits loaded already,” Mora explained.
A qualifying student can receive up to $298 in monthly benefits. Mora highlighted how streamlined the process has become: “The students go through the entire process in an hour and a half, when it usually takes up to 30 days.”
Since being designated an official community-based organization in 2020, UC Irvine has worked closely with county officials to make enrollment easier by offering prescreening appointments via Zoom and application preparation support. The center also works to raise awareness about available benefits and fosters an environment free from stigma for participants.
The demand for these services continues to grow. Larger events are planned at UC Irvine’s Student Center on November 13 and 20 to coincide with Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and upcoming holidays.
So far in 2024, there have been over 6,200 student interactions with CalFresh facilitated by UCI’s Basic Needs Center. The goal is to reach 10,000 eligible students this year.
“We’re always looking for opportunities that are going to benefit our students. CalFresh allows us to help students have additional dollars so that they can have a better basic needs experience on campus and one less stressor as they navigate college,” said Mora.
UC Irvine was founded in 1965 and is recognized as one of the top public universities nationally. It enrolls more than 36,000 students in over 220 degree programs. As Orange County’s second-largest employer, it contributes billions annually to both local and statewide economies. More information about UC Irvine can be found at www.uci.edu.
