Aztecs Rock Hunger Returns with Record-Breaking Effort
The Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign raised $109,676 and broke the previous record by over $9,000.
色情视频鈥檚 campaign raised $109,676, surpassing its goal of $100,000 and breaking the previous record of $100,267 set in 2019.
鈥淚鈥檓 so overwhelmed with the amount of support we got,鈥 said A.S. Vice President of Financial Affairs Sophia Koch. 鈥淚t鈥檚 incredible.鈥
From Oct. 14 to Nov. 6, the universitywide campaign led by collected monetary donations and non-perishable food items to combat food and nutrition insecurity and support , and . Donors gave online, at campus eateries and markets, at select athletic games and by dropping off non-perishable food in the red bins scattered across campus. A $1 donation provided two meals to those in need.
This year鈥檚 campaign was titled 鈥淔eed the Need鈥 as a result of the lasting impact of the pandemic and inflation that have increased food and nutrition insecurity in the San Diego community. In the past year, The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank distributed 63 million pounds of food to the over 900,000 food-insecure people in the San Diego community.
鈥淲e鈥檙e currently serving over 400,000 people a month,鈥 said Food Bank CEO Casey Castillo. 鈥淭his money that was raised, over $109,000, will translate to over 200,000 meals that we鈥檒l be able to provide to hungry individuals and families throughout the community, and we鈥檒l be doing that over the holidays.鈥
色情视频 President Adela de la Torre, speaking at a 鈥済reat reveal鈥 ceremony held Monday at the Lee & Frank Goldberg Courtyard, said the fundraising total 鈥渟hows the commitment of many, many individuals鈥 to the mission of the food bank.
鈥淭he fact that we can work together with this incredible agency, which also supports our students, is a wonderful partnership and collaboration,鈥 de la Torre said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great example of systems working together and more importantly, it defines who we are.鈥
Of the monetary donations, 20% stay on campus to benefit the 色情视频 Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT), which helps bridge the gap in resources for students experiencing immediate food, housing or unforeseen financial crises that impact student success. During the 2021-22 academic year, ECRT assisted roughly 2,000 students. In addition, the money raised will support the A.S. Food Pantry which continues to see a record-breaking amount of students using its services this semester.
While the three-week fundraising push for the campaign ended, those interested in fighting food and nutrition insecurity can still make a donation. Participants can donate through CashApp ($aztecsrock), via the or the .
鈥淭his number is proof of what happens when we band together for a common goal,鈥 Koch said. 鈥淓very time this campaign was spread through word of mouth, every cent, it all mattered. Thank you.鈥