Supporting Student Success through Sustenance

August 29, 2023

Bakersfield College held a ribbon cutting event this morning to celebrate the grand opening of the BC Basic Needs Center and Nexus, including the Renegade Pantry. The event was followed by the first farmers market with free fresh produce distribution of the semester. 

The Renegade pantry is part of the Renegade Nexus which is a centralized hub of  resources aiming to tackle barriers that many students face while attending college. This includes the lack of access to transportation, medical care, food, housing, clothing, technology, and assistance for student parents.

The vision for this project began years prior, as faculty, staff and the student government collaborated to find solutions to help students be successful both personally and academically.

 “All students need assistance whether it is basic needs, strategically moving over hardships, or connection to their next step. The Renegade Nexus links our students with various vital connections by assuring success to essential resources and wrap around services. We are not only fostering academic success but also empowering the personal growth within them.” says BC’s Dean of Students, Dr. Nicky Damania 

The Renegade Pantry offers a wide variety of supplemental food options, personal and professional clothing, gender-affirming clothing, hygiene assistance, and personal care to BC students. Each student has 12 points that reset at the beginning of each week. In addition, the Nexus hosts monthly farmer’s market events that are free to students and the public, in which they provide fresh produce donated by community partners including the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK).