[UPDATE March 14, 2017: Treviño family pledges additional $32,000 in matching funds to March Match Up campaign: bit.ly/FSN-MarchMatchUp17Trevino]
Fresno State’s March Match Up campaign that benefits the Student Cupboard kicked off Wednesday with two community partners teaming up to help battle student hunger issues.
The project is supported by Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Programs and accounting firm Moss Adams LLC, who have promised to match, dollar-for-dollar, every monetary gift given during the campaign up to $50,000 through March 31.
The public is encouraged to help by donating any amount at bit.ly/MarchMatchup and then challenging others to also help fight student hunger by posting a video challenge on their social media platforms using the hashtag #FSMarchMatchup. Video challenges can include tossing a basketball or showing Bulldog spirit in some fashion.
As a result of community support, last year’s first March Match Up campaign raised over $106,000 for the Student Cupboard, which provides all Fresno State students who are challenged by food security with free perishable and non-perishable food items and hygiene products five days a week.
It is one of the initiatives under the Food Security Project that aims to increase student access to affordable, nutritious food.
“One in three Fresno State students do not know where their next meal is coming from,” said Mary Castro, Fresno State’s first lady who is volunteering to spearhead the campaign. “By removing barriers and providing these essential needs, students can focus on their academic achievements. The Student Cupboard serves any Fresno State student in need.”
The fundraising drive began last year by playing off the March Madness college basketball theme when Fresno State alumni Chris Morse and Ken Wittwer wanted to give back to the University and support students by inspiring others to give.
This year, they also enlisted the support of Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Programs as a major sponsor.
“We are grateful that University partners like Moss Adams LLC and Kaiser Permanente are stepping up for Fresno State students and we invite others to join us in this fun way to support students who are working hard to reach their educational goals,” Castro said.
Video challenges will be posted on Fresno State social media channels.
For more information about the campaign, contact David Hembree at 559.278.5052 or dhembree@csufresno.edu.
For the Student Cupboard, which is located in the Grosse Industrial Technology Building, Room 144 (Barstow Avenue and Jackson Drive), contact Jessica Medina at 559.278.6621.
