Thanks to funding support from Santa Clara County, the World Food Movement’s pilot at Evergreen Valley College made an immediate and meaningful impact on student wellbeing and food access during the spring semester. Over the course of the pilot, the program distributed 696 meals to more than 400 students through four weekly meal servings while also creating two student ambassador opportunities to support outreach and engagement efforts.
Student response to the program was overwhelmingly positive. According to survey data collected during the pilot, 97% of participating students described the registration and pickup process as smooth and accessible, while 100% gave the meals four- and five-star ratings for both quality and taste.
Beyond the numbers, the strongest impact came directly from students themselves.
Many shared that the meals helped reduce stress, improve focus in class, and ease financial burdens during difficult times. One student wrote, “It’s nice to have the worry of food taken care of while studying.” Another shared, “These delicious meals really make me feel welcomed here as a student.” Others described balancing long school days, unemployment, and financial hardship while relying on the program for consistent nourishment and support.
Students also expressed excitement about the future of the initiative, with several hoping the program could eventually expand beyond once-a-week meal distribution because of the positive impact it had on their academic experience and daily lives.
The pilot’s success reflects the shared commitment of World Food Movement, Santa Clara County, and Evergreen Valley College to supporting students holistically, recognizing that student success extends beyond the classroom and begins with meeting basic needs.
We are grateful to the World Food Movement for this partnership and we are excited to find more collaboration opportunities in the next fiscal year.
Watch the pilot highlights here.