Monty's Market Expands Basic Needs Support at Ben Clark Education Center
Students preparing for careers as firefighters, paramedics, sheriff’s deputies and emergency dispatchers at Ben Clark Training Center have had on-site access to free groceries, hygiene products and household essentials through Monty’s Market since spring 2025. This fall, Moreno Valley College is expanding what the Ben Clark market offers, adding refrigeration and freezer equipment, more meal options and access to the college’s wider range of basic-needs services. The market is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this fall.
Before the market opened at Ben Clark, students had to travel to the main Moreno Valley College campus for food pantry resources. That can be a significant barrier for students attending intensive, full-day programs at the geographically separate training center. Each year, Ben Clark trains more than 250 emergency medical technician students, about 50 paramedic students, about 80 firefighters, more than 120 correctional officers, more than 200 sheriff’s deputies and more than 50 dispatchers.
“These students are not separate from our campus community; they are our students,” said Frederick Jones, director of College Corps Grants. “They deserve the same access to food assistance, basic-needs resources and support services as anyone attending classes on the main campus.”
Monty’s Market provides food, household items and personal hygiene products during shopping visits. Students experiencing food insecurity or financial hardship can also access clothing support, meals and other resources. The program is adding more meal and hot food options at both locations.
The main campus market has refrigeration and freezer space for dairy and frozen foods, and the college is purchasing the same equipment for Ben Clark so both locations can offer comparable food options.
Monty’s Market is part of MVC’s broader Basic Needs program, which also provides care navigation, clothing assistance through Monty’s Closet, financial wellness support, mental health services, housing-related assistance and referrals to community resources. Those services are now being brought to Ben Clark.
“When students’ basic needs are met, they are better positioned to persist, succeed and reach their goals,” Jones said. “Expanding these services to Ben Clark helps remove barriers so students can stay focused on their education and career goals.”
The expansion is funded through MVC’s annual state Basic Needs grant. The program also partners with Feeding America, Stater Bros. and other organizations.
Students must be currently enrolled at MVC and have MVC designated as their home college. Walk-in shopping does not require registration in PantrySoft, although the system is used for certain distributions, pickup reservations and delivery services. Hours are set each semester to match Ben Clark’s program schedule and may change from term to term.
Program staff welcome feedback from Ben Clark students about their experiences and the resources they need. Questions and feedback can be sent to basicneeds@mvc.edu.