Allan Hancock College EOPS+ Program Coordinator Joanna Davis (right) hands off a turkey to the child of a Hancock student during the college’s annual Fall Harvest Turkey Giveaway on Nov. 25. Courtesy photo.
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SANTA MARIA — For the 17th year in a row, Allan Hancock College provided students who are single parents with a?turkey?and other Thanksgiving meal items free of charge.
A total of 105 individuals and families stopped by the Hancock EOPS+ program’s Fall Harvest Turkey Giveaway booth outside the college’s Santa Maria campus and Lompoc Valley Center on Nov. 25, where Hancock staff provided them with everything needed to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. The packages included a?turkey, potatoes, beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, stuffing, pumpkin pie, whipped cream, and butter. Turkey?preparation and cooking instructions were also included.
“This event is all about supporting our Hancock families and making sure they have a warm Thanksgiving meal,” said Hancock Dean of Student Services Johnnie Owens. “The holidays can be a difficult time for some, and we want our students and their families to know that Hancock cares and is here for them.”
Hancock’s EOPS+ program provides resources and support to help minimize barriers and to assist educationally and economically disadvantaged students.? This year, the?turkey?giveaway served students in the college’s EOPS, CARE, NextUp, CalWORKs, Rising Scholars, Guardian Scholars, AIM to Dream, Veterans, LAP, Noncredit Counseling and Basic Needs programs.
“I’m a single mother of three, and this is going to make a big difference for our family,” said Hancock student Vanessa Ayon. “I feel very blessed. It’s such a relief knowing there are people out there who truly want to help.”
The?turkeys and food for this year’s giveaway were purchased from Spencer’s Fresh Market.
To learn more about Hancock’s EOPS+ programs at Hancock, visit https://www.hancockcollege.edu/eops, or call 805-922-6966 ext. 3623.