Fresno State will kick off its third annual Helping Hams campaign to feed the hungry during the holidays with a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market (5368 N. Chestnut Ave.).
The campaign will run through Dec. 4 to raise money to donate student-produced holiday hams to charitable organizations affiliated with Fresno State.
At Thursday’s launch, Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro will announce this year’s goal to collect enough money to purchase and donate 175 hams. He will be joined by Sandra Witte, interim dean for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, and Abigail Hudson, Associated Students Inc. president.
Samples of holiday ham, Fresno State milk and “Woofle Waffles” will be available at the event.
Donations will be accepted at the Gibson Farm Market in increments of $5. Six donations (or $30) will purchase one ham for a family in need.
Fresno State students donating a minimum of $5 will receive a free kid’s scoop of ice cream at the Gibson Farm Market (limit one scoop per student donor).
Donations can be made at the Gibson Farm Market or by mailing a check to 2385 E. Barstow Ave., AG85, Fresno, CA 93740. A tax deduction receipt is available upon request.
Last year’s month-long campaign raised money to donate 159 hams.
The Gibson Farm Market is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Charitable organizations affiliated with Fresno State can apply for consideration for holiday ham donations via email from Thursday, Nov. 19, through Friday, Dec. 4. Application information is available by contacting Ashleigh Rocker Greene at arocker@csufresno.edu or 559.278.7703.
Applications will be reviewed by the Associated Students Inc. Personnel Standing Committee, and organizations will be notified of their status via email by Thursday, Dec. 10.
The Helping Hams campaign is coordinated by the Jordan College, its student-operated Gibson Farm Market and Meat Science Department and Associated Students Inc.
For more information, or to donate, call 559.278.4511.
