Together, San Bernardino Valley College's MEChA and Student California Teacher Association (SCTA) provided more than 350 bags of food to people in need during Thanksgiving. 
 
"MEChA has always been a community-focused group and the whole concept of 'Chicano' means that we are of and for the community," History Prof. Ed Gomez said. "SCTA are future teachers and they are also community-rooted in that profession." 
 
For 23 years, the groups have collected donations of packaged food and nonperishable canned goods from SBVC students and staff members, which are then passed out during the holidays. For 2020, 15 students and other volunteers gathered on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to help distribute the Grab-N-Go bags, which were given to families in San Bernardino with the assistance of Pastor Joseph Mack. They practiced social distancing and wore masks during the event. 
 
MEChA and SCTA also held its sixth annual clothing drive for children, with donors dropping off winter clothes for kids between the ages of 4 and 12. This year, enough donations were made to help several dozen students at two San Bernardino elementary schools.