By Karina Perez, November 12, 2025
Nueva Herencia and Hermans Unidas at Cal Poly Pomona joined Lopez Urban Farm for its fourth annual Día De Los Muertos free produce community harvest and celebration despite community safety concerns.
Dia De Los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that celebrates those that have passed on. It is believed that when one builds an ofrenda, also known as an altar, it’s a connection to the spirit world where the dead can come back for one night. Pictures of loved ones are surrounded by marigolds which are used as decoration. The ofrendas are also a way for the living to give their respects by providing offerings such as food, drinks, and personal belongings that loved ones left behind.
The event began with a community harvest where people could help distribute free produce to local families. Volunteers and attendees contributed to the community ofrenda and were encouraged to display offerings.
Secretary of Nueva Herencia and animal science pre-vet major, Dianne Ibarra, attended and celebrated among her peers who also shared what Dia de Los Muertos means to her.
“I remember my first year of college, around week 10 of the semester, feeling so stressed and I was living away from home so I didn’t feel like I belonged,” Ibarra said. “When I volunteered at C.E.C.C.H.E (Cesar E. Chavez Center for Higher Education), making the big altar and seeing people who looked like me, it felt welcoming and a safe space.”
After four years at CPP, Ibarra shared that the feeling of community and belonging has been shifted since then. With the political climate being at its highest since her start at the university, “ensuring the safety of students” was a concern and a reason for their taco fundraiser being cancelled. Ibarra contacted the M.A.S.A coordinator (Mexican American Student Association) and was made aware of the situation which was disappointing to hear for Ibarra and Nueva Herencia.
Nonetheless, the club made the efforts necessary to participate in this event at Lopez Urban Farms to contribute and spend time with the CPP and Pomona community.
Upon entry, the Latino and Latina Roundtable of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valley gave attendees one free ticket for tamales and agua frescas. Live music played while guests enjoyed playing with all kinds of livestock like goats. CPP organizations such as Future Latinos in Medicine, LBSA, Lambda Theta Alpha, ΓΥ Chapter, and Sigma Lambda Gamma were in attendance.
Hermanas Unidas, a group dedicated to serving the community, used Dia de Los Muertos to give back to the City of Pomona.
Community service chair and early childhood studies major Delia Cruz and sociology major Breann Guzman are members of Hermanas Unidas who shared their experiences with changes in campus life and why events like these are a reminder of the community’s unity.
“So many families are afraid to gather and so much of our Cal Poly community is afraid for the safety of our students and faculty so it’s really hurtful that we’re basically diminishing our identity,” Cruz said.
Despite worries and concerns, CPP students, clubs, and organizations still made efforts to put on the event.
Children played and adults danced to animated performers. Musical group “Canterous de Pueblo” sang traditional Mexican songs like “La Bruja” from Tlen Huicani. In between songs, the main singer would preach that unity and celebration is more important now more than ever.
“I think it’s important to stick by each other especially when times are so polarizing it’s good to still know you have your community no matter what” said Guzman.
