Associated Students Board Passed Funding for SMC Clubs and SMC Foundation’s “Giving Thanks” Event
The Santa Monica College (SMC) Associated Students (A.S.) Board of Directors approved a $50,000 funding request from the SMC Foundation on Oct. 27 for the college’s annual Giving Thanks(giving) holiday grocery event.
"The SMC Foundation is truly grateful to the Associated Students for supporting the ninth annual GIVING THANKS(giving) event,“ said Foundation President Lizzy Moore. “For the sixth consecutive year, the A.S. leadership has stepped up as the largest monetary sponsor, raising critical dollars for the food security event that provides fresh holiday groceries to students.”
Last year, A.S. contributed $35,000 towards the event, but the foundation requested $50,000 this year due to rising food costs and increased need. Volunteers will distribute fresh Thanksgiving groceries to currently enrolled SMC students on a first-come, first-served basis on Nov. 24 and 25, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The food distribution effort comes as the Trump administration announced that it will only partially fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November. However, no timeline was provided for how long it would take to adjust the system to process the reduced amount, only that delays are expected.
During the open A.S. meeting, Moore addressed the event costs and the increased student needs. The requested $50,000 was allotted only to cover a portion of the projected $171,000 cost. The foundation had already started the fundraising efforts, and any remaining funds will support students’ long-term basic needs.
Moore shared the items that had been distributed to students in the past year. She estimated that each student received $100 in groceries and gift cards and that over 2,400 students benefited from a week’s worth of food.
Anticipating disruptions of SNAP payments from the federal government shutdown, Moore said, “Beyond the financial support, the partnership is crucial, knowing together we can inform as many students as possible about this valuable opportunity, especially in the wake of the government shutdown impacting CalFresh benefits for thousands of students."
A.S. President Ailsa Ortiz urged the board to approve the full $50,000 request, due to the potential loss of federal assistance for students and the community.
In an email to the Corsair, Ortiz said, “As grocery prices rise, we are seeing SNAP benefits being threatened, which are acute resources relied on by students and faculty. $50,000 was the response that the board chose to approve as an act of support and security—to show that when systems fail, we step up to ensure we meet the basic needs of all our students.”
Additionally, the board passed 30 items under $1,000 in a sweeping consent motion for 23 SMC clubs. The majority of the proposals for approval included decorations, snacks, club row supplies and food.
The board passed all remaining major items over $1,000, including equipment, drinks and merchandise for the Tennis Club, funds for Barber Coachella and support for the “Ballot Block Party.”
Every club at SMC is entitled up to $750 per semester to spend, with the option to roll the money into the next semester.
SMC students pay an optional $10 Associated Student Resource Fee each semester. This fee funds student clubs and programs, activities and social events, Cayton Center, and basic needs services addressing housing and food insecurities. Of the $10, $1.25 is designated to basic needs.
A.S. will hold its next board meeting on Monday, Nov. 3 inside the Cayton Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is open to the public, and the agenda is posted on the SMC website.