Helping Hands

Helping Students & Families

El Camino Warrior Closet and Warrior Pantry

Written by Laura Roe Stevens | Photographed by Philicia Endelman

Sky-high gas prices, soaring rents and rising food costs are just a few of the obstacles facing California’s community college students and their families today. In fact, nearly 20% of community college students in California are homeless, and a staggering 60% experienced some sort of housing insecurity in the past year, according to a recent statewide poll. It’s no wonder student enrollment numbers continue to drop as well.

The El Camino Warrior Closet and Warrior Pantry, created in 2018, has been vastly expanded to ensure El Camino Community College students have the support they need to stay in school.

“If students are worried about their families’ needs, or are hungry, they find it hard to focus on their studies,” says Sharonda Barksdale, who works as a financial aid officer and homeless and foster youth liaison at the college. “This service provides support. It takes some of the burden away from our students so they can concentrate on their career path and on building a brighter future.”

The Warrior Closet and Warrior Pantry started in 2018 to meet the needs of homeless students. But at that time, it was a pop-up shop twice a month in a parking lot, explains Sharonda. Due to increasing needs for all students and their families, these services now have dedicated locations on campus and are open twice a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to assist students currently enrolled with a minimum of one credit hour.

The Warrior Food Pantry is a drive-through service offering canned items, perishables, fresh fruits and vegetables, and toiletries. Leah Braly, a 38-year-old mom of three from Torrance who is earning a degree in automotive technology, says she would not be able to stay in school without help. “I use both. I’m very low-income and have two teenagers and a 20-year-old. I can’t afford to get them new back-to-school clothes, so it was so nice to be able to bring them home nice things, including Vans shoes,” Leah shares. “The pantry has fresh veggies, which is rare [for a food pantry] and some frozen items. Last semester they even gave students gift cards to a few local restaurants, including Torrance Bakery. I nearly cried because I couldn’t remember the last time I was able to take my boys out to eat. I’m so grateful to El Camino.”

Younger students are feeling an economic strain too. “One student told me her dad had a job interview but nothing to wear. I told her to take a shirt for him,” says Sharonda. “She was so excited and relieved when she returned and told me her dad got the job. We’re here for students, and we welcome any donations from the community.” •

Sharonda helps Leah Braly, a mom of three from Torrance, find items for her family.

While there is no charge for items, a checkout counter is in place to take record of all transactions.

WARRIOR CLOSET AND WARRIOR PANTRY DETAILS:

• Serving: Students enrolled with a minimum of one credit hour at El Camino Community College

• Warrior Closet: Gently used and new clothing and shoes for boys and girls of all ages, as well as home goods such as sheets, blankets, towels and toiletries

• Warrior Pantry: Canned items, perishables, fruit and vegetables

• Days Open: Tuesdays & Thursdays

• Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Location: Warrior Closet is located at MBBM 130 (Manhattan Beach Boulevard side of campus near parking lot) of El Camino Community College campus; Warrior Pantry is a drive-through service across from the Warrior Closet, follow campus signs

• Donations: Drop off gently used and clean donations during business hours. Current needs include plus and big and tall sizes of casual wear, sweatshirts, shoes and home goods. Corporate donations of food, new clothing, shoes and home goods are welcome! Please email Sharonda Barksdale at sbarksdale@elcamino. edu for information or to schedule a drop-off date/time.