“We are multi-taskers, fighters, mothers, executives, inventors, and so much more.”
From teachers to support staff, nutrition services professionals, school bus drivers, school board members and more, women have been – and will continue to be – a force behind student success. During Women’s History Month, No Kid Hungry is celebrating trailblazing women leaders doing powerful work to raise awareness and fight child hunger.
Meet Daisy Munguia-Piñon (she/her/ella), associate director of the No Kid Hungry California campaign. Overseeing the Southern California region, Daisy focuses on connecting children and families in need to effective federal nutrition programs and community resources by forging local partnerships and supporting program innovation.
She was recently awarded a Nourish California’s 2022 Freshy Award for best performance to improve CalFresh by a Regional Advocate. Read more about Daisy, her award and leadership, CalFresh, and her hopes for the future.
How do you feel about being awarded Nourish California’s 2022 Freshy Award?
I was so honored to be nominated and extremely thankful to be the recipient of the Regional Advocate award. One of my life goals is to use my energy and boldness to make an impact in my community. It was gratifying to see my efforts seen and applauded, it shows me I am moving forward in the right direction.
Can you talk more about your nomination and your work around CalFresh?
I was nominated for the 2022 Freshy Award for my innovative outreach strategies to increase CalFresh participation. I helped launch the first-of-its-kind CalFresh in Schools Webinar and a co-branded CalFresh toolkit for schools in San Bernardino and San Diego County, identifying schools as an under-utilized resource for Calfresh outreach to families.
This was part of my work to educate schools on the need for CalFresh by shedding light on just how many people were qualified for the program but not accessing it.
Since the webinar, I have been working with partners to issue CalFresh grants and launch a CalFresh Website Challenge. The CalFresh challenge encourages districts to add the CalFresh application link to their website for a chance to win $500. Through this challenge, we are building awareness of Senate Bill 708, which requires districts that have their meal application on their website to also include the CalFresh application link as well. This legislation was largely unknown by schools in our region and we’ve already seen 45 districts add the CalFresh application to their website!
Why is it important schools and school districts have a role in CalFresh outreach?
Schools and community organizations are trusted messengers and an important source of information for families. Additionally, if CalFresh reaches more eligible students, it improves a school’s ability to operate free summer and afterschool meal programs and to adopt the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which enables eligible schools to serve meals to all students at no cost to families.
What has been paramount to your efforts to improve CalFresh in your communities?
Partnerships. Partners have been key in expanding our CalFresh efforts, resources, and offerings. I could not have done this work without the help of school nutrition directors, county offices, government agencies, and community partners. We have been working diligently to launch creative strategies that will positively impact CalFresh enrollment for children.
What are your hopes for the future for CalFresh?
My hope is for school districts and county offices of social services to work more closely together. Under Assembly Bill 402, county welfare departments and school districts can enter into a MOU to share information regarding school lunch participants who may be eligible to receive CalFresh benefits. With the permission of the parent or guardian signing some form of consent, information submitted on the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) application can be shared with the local county CalFresh office. This initiative would be a gamechanger for CalFresh, helping close the gap between students who qualify for free and reduced priced meals and those eligible for CalFresh.
What does Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a day when we honor and uplift women and honor their economic, political and social achievements and contributions. Although it’s important to always celebrate women (365 days a year), during March we can shine a spotlight on the sacrifices made by women to make the world a better, more equitable, and inclusive place.
Who has served as an inspiration or hero in your life and why?
My mother is my mentor and support system. As an immigrant, she defied gender roles, became an entrepreneur, and overcame so much. In her life, my mother has shown strength, leadership, and empathy. I am inspired to have her energy and determination.
I am proud to be a woman because of our resilience, intelligence, and strength to continuously face adversity. We are multi-taskers, fighters, mothers, executives, inventors, and so much more.
One of my favorite quotes, “I’ve put up with too much, too long, and now I’m just too intelligent, too powerful, too beautiful, too sure of who I am finally to deserve anything less.” –Sandra Cisneros
Do you have any final thoughts to share that would be important for people to know?
For the past 10 years, my work in the education and non-profit sector has been driven by the dream of creating educational equity for students of color, marginalized groups, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Growing up as an English Language Learner, first generation- Latinx, and the first in my family to attain a high school diploma, I learned first-hand how important it is to address the diverse needs of students of color and structural inequalities.
Let this Women’s History Month be a celebration of the strength and resiliency of leaders like Daisy Munguia-Piñon, working tirelessly to ensure that all kids have the food to power their dreams.
You can join No Kid Hungry to help end childhood hunger in the Southern California and in communities across California. Together, we can make all the difference for hungry kids.
Read more: What is CalFresh? Learn more and Download the CalFresh Outreach for Schools Toolkits.