The COVID-19 shutdowns have had massive economic repercussions that swiftly rippled across the city and region. In the wake of rising economic insecurity, Long Beach’s schools have stepped up efforts to form a social safety net for their students and others in the city. In some cases, you can help with a donation.

CSULB

Cal State Long Beach’s Student Emergency Fund exists to help vulnerable students pay for food and housing during the shutdown. The fund has raised more than $100,000 as part of its special shutdown crowdfunding effort. As of Wednesday morning, the fund had raised $114,239 from 1,120 donors. The first $100,000 raised will be matched by an anonymous outside donor.

Click here for the fundraiser.

The university said applications to the fund have more than doubled since in-person classes were suspended.

Cal State Long Beach is distributing food and other necessities to students in need through its Basic Needs Program. Photo courtesy CSULB.

The university’s Beach Basic Needs Program also has separate services specifically designed to help feed students while campus is shutdown, including the ASI Beach Pantry and the CalFresh Outreach Program.

LBCC

The Long Beach City College Foundation is also expanding efforts to support at-risk students and has established a Student Emergency Fund.

To donate, click here.

The college’s goal for the fund is to help cover the cost of internet, food and essential utilities for students, as well as childcare for students with children who are still working, and medical costs for students without health insurance.

The foundation’s board is matching the first $10,000 raised.

LBUSD

The Long Beach Unified School District has been loaning out Chromebook laptops and home internet devices for students to help support their home-learning plan, but they’ve also been feeding the city. The district’s nutrition services department continues to provide free meals to all kids aged 1-18. They gave out 236,507 free meals through the first four weeks of the shutdown.

In addition, the district’s kitchens are also now providing all of the meals for Long Beach’s temporary homeless shelters, including both preparation and delivery.

Prior to this week, the district had required children to be present for meal pickups at school sites, but beginning Monday of this week adults can now get food for their children, provided they have their students’ ID, or any other official document demonstrating they’re a parent/guardian.

For a list of schools providing meals, check the district’s website.