San Diego State University's Annual Food Drive Campaign Breaks All-Time Record
January 19, 2023
San Diego State University's student leaders and administrators led a record-breaking Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign this year, surpassing their previous record by nearly $10,000 and raising over 200,000 meals for students and families facing food insecurity.
Each year, SDSU's dedicated student leaders, staff and administrators raise vital funds for their Economic Crisis and Response Team (ECRT), their on-campus food pantry and the San Diego Food Bank. The Economic Crisis and Response Team is "a university program that assists students who are facing crises such as housing or food insecurity and during the 2021-2022 academic year, ECRT assisted an estimated 2,000 students." SDSU's food pantry is an on-campus resource that distributes more than 100,000 pounds of nonperishable food items and fresh produce to help nourish SDSU students each year. A majority of the food distributed is provided by the San Diego Food Bank.
To drive student engagement and participation in the three-week campaign, San Diego State implemented student competitions between sports clubs, the Panhellenic Association, student organizations, college councils and academic departments. The groups that raised the most money during the 2022 campaign include the College of Engineering Student Council, College of Health & Human Services College Council and on-campus eatery, The Habit. Together, they raised more than $8,000, which equates to more than 16,000 meals for individuals experiencing food insecurity.
The campaign's impact also extends off-campus, as a portion of the funds and food donations raised also benefit the County of San Diego through the Food Bank's hunger-relief programs. Since its inception, the Aztecs Rock Hunger food drive has raised over 4 million pounds of food that was distributed to local families in need by the San Diego Food Bank.
"Currently, the San Diego Food Bank is serving nearly 400,000 individuals each month, which is why the Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign is so important to our hunger-relief programs. The funds and food items raised during this food drive will stay here in San Diego and will help feed hungry families and students in our community," said Casey Castillo, CEO of the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.
The most recent Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign broke the record for the most funds raised since its inception! San Diego State's ambitious student leaders and administrators raised $109,676, which will provide over 200,000 meals for local students and members of the community! The San Diego Food Bank would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in the success of the Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign. All the funds raised will make a huge impact on the lives of those who need it. Thank you, San Diego State University, for being a steadfast supporter of the San Diego Food Bank's mission and for doing your part to help us fight hunger and feed hope in our shared community.
