Palomar Will Provide Free Computers and Food to Students on March 18

Mar 17, 2020

Funded by a donation to the Palomar College Foundation, the computers will help students continue their education, as instruction moves online starting March 30.

SAN MARCOS, CA (March 17, 2020) — As Palomar College students prepare to take all of their courses in a remote format due to prevention measures associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, college officials announced that free computers will be distributed to qualified students in need on Wednesday, March 18. At the same time, college staff from the Anita & Stan Maag Food & Nutrition Center will also be distributing food to students in need of nutritional support.

Thanks to a leadership gift from Darlene Shiley, and in partnership with the nonprofit Computers2Kids, San Diego, 300 computers will be distributed to Palomar College students. The distribution will take place between 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Lots 1 and 2—the parking area at the front of the San Marcos campus, directly off Mission Road.

“We are extremely grateful to Darlene Shiley as we do everything we can to help students through this unprecedented time,” said Stacy Rungaitis, Executive Director for the Palomar College Foundation.

“These computers will help so many of our students continue taking their classes and proceed on their intended educational path,” said Acting Superintendent/President Dr. Jack Kahn.

The donation of emergency funding for student computers also established the Darlene Shiley Challenge Emergency Fund Campaign, administered by the Palomar College Foundation. Those who wish to participate in the challenge in support of Palomar’s students can find information on the Palomar College Foundation website.

Meanwhile, the Food & Nutrition Center at Palomar has been serving students continuously as the COVID-19 outbreak developed, and on Tuesday, March 17 was taking orders online to be fulfilled at Wednesday’s distribution. The outdoor distribution point is aligned with the concept of social distancing as recommended by public health officials.

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Media contacts:

Julie Lanthier Bandy, Public Affairs, jlanthierbandy@palomar.edu, 760-744-1150 x2365

Tom Pfingsten, Public Affairs, tpfingsten@palomar.edu, 760-744-1150 x2960