FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2026 | CONTACT: Dalilah Davaloz (562) 692-0921
(Whittier, Calif.) — Access to nutritious food is essential to support student success, and a new $20,000 contribution from Food4Less, Ralphs and The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation is helping Río Hondo College ensure students have the resources they need to stay focused on their educational goals.
The donation, presented Monday, Oct. 12, will directly support the College’s Basic Needs Program, which provides students with access to food, housing referrals, mental health and wellness resources, and other essential services. By helping students meet their everyday needs, the program provides stability and peace of mind, allowing them to approach their education with greater confidence.
“We recognize that every student has unique needs, and our responsibility is to provide support that meets them where they are,” said Río Hondo College Superintendent/President Dr. Don Moya-Miller. “Our Caring Campus commitment extends beyond the classroom, ensuring students have access to essential resources that give them the confidence and stability to focus on their education. We are grateful to Kroger for helping us fulfill that commitment.”
Representatives from Food4Less, Ralphs and The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation visited the College and toured the RioSource Room, the campus’s one-stop resource center for basic needs assistance. The center connects students with staff who provide immediate support and referrals to campus and community resources, including a food pantry, hygiene products, academic supplies, CalFresh application assistance and housing referrals.
“At Ralphs, Food4Less and The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, our purpose is to Feed the Human Spirit,” said Salvador Ramirez, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Food4Less/FoodsCo, Ralphs and Kroger. “We believe that access to nutritious food, provided with dignity, enables students to focus on their education and achieve their goals. As a proud alumnus of Río Hondo College, this donation is especially meaningful to me. I know firsthand the opportunities this college provides, and we are proud to support its Basic Needs Program and the students in the communities we serve.”
The donation comes as demand for basic needs assistance continues to demonstrate the importance of accessible student support services. During the 2025-26 academic year, the Río Hondo College Basic Needs Program provided more than 102,000 services, including food assistance, housing support, hygiene resources, academic supplies and CalFresh assistance, as well as technology, transportation and child care referrals.
Food assistance accounted for approximately 90% of reported services, including more than 54,000 snack-food contacts and 37,000 grocery visits. These figures underscore the critical role of food access in supporting students and the ongoing need for resources that help them remain enrolled and progress toward completing their education.
“Partnerships like this are essential to ensuring our students have the resources they need to succeed," said Río Hondo Community College District Board of Trustees President Rosaelva Lomeli. "When community partners invest in our students, they are investing in the future of our region. We are grateful to Kroger for its generosity and commitment to the communities we serve."
The College’s food assistance efforts are also strengthened through its partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and supplemental food purchases. For example, from July through May of the 2025-26 academic year, the program acquired more than 213,000 pounds of food to support students experience food insecurity.
To learn more about the College’s Basic Needs Program and the RioSource Room, visit https://www.riohondo.edu/support-programs/basic-needs/.
