Surprise Delivery Announced to Help Local College Students

The team at Arrowhead Credit Union made a surprise donation by delivering a truck full of food to stock the shelves at The DEN (Delivering Emergency Nourishment), a new program at Cal State San Bernardino. The DEN is CSUSB’s own food pantry for the many students who regularly have to choose between hunger and paying for classes. Arrowhead Credit Union team member Edward Vargas, who is a full-time student at CSUSB, shared the needs of The DEN with his team and they sprang into action. They held their own fundraiser at work and raised more than $1,100, enough to fill a truck with food that will feed many students. “It was one of those moments when you see a need and realize you have the opportunity to make a difference,” said Vargas. Bryant Fairley, the associate director of the CSUSB Office of Community Engagement, explained that more than 91 percent of kids in the San Bernardino public school system receive free or reduced meals, and that need doesn’t end when the student attends college. “The ultimate goal is to keep our students in school. Some students just need a lunch, but some need more. In addition to food and hygiene items, we welcome monetary donations, so that we can provide gift cards for groceries, gas, or even a minor car repair,” Fairley said. The DEN currently provides food to more than 80 students each week, and the demand is growing. “Arrowhead Credit Union is the first outside organization to show their support in a big way, and we hope this creates more awareness in the community.” Fairley said. “Our immediate goal is to keep our doors open longer, but our need is bigger than what we currently have, especially as we continue to welcome more low-income first generation students.” Arrowhead Credit Union was established in 1949 and is dedicated to building strong communities. Arrowhead is the largest credit union in the Inland Empire, with more than 125,000 members. For more information, visit arrowheadcu.org. Set in the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, CSUSB is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in inland Southern California. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, CSUSB serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually.