Ten local organizations will receive 250 hams to share with families in need this holiday season as part of Fresno State’s fifth annual Helping Hams campaign.
The organizations will pick up hams at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market (5368 N. Chestnut Ave.) with assistance from Associated Students, Inc., the Fresno State Meats Lab and farm market student workers.
The campaign ran Nov. 13 through Dec. 4 and raised $7,795, surpassing its goal of $7,500 to purchase 250 hams. The additional $295 raised will be allocated to the Fresno State Student Cupboard.
The largest contribution was a $3,500 donation from RCO Ag Credit, Inc., an agriculture finance company based in Fresno. The organization contributed the same amount in both 2016 and 2015 and was also a primary supporter the previous two years.
“Supporting the Helping Hams campaign is a meaningful way to help feed hungry families during the holiday season,” said Mitchell Metzler, president and CEO of RCO Ag Credit, Inc. “We are proud to see the growing momentum of this campaign and are especially encouraged with the increased support of Fresno State students and others in the community.”
Campus-related organizations receiving hams include the Bulldog Pantry, College Assistance Migrant Program, Student Cupboard and the TRiO Student Support Services and Student Support Services Veterans Program.
Other local agencies included in Friday’s pick up include the El Dorado Park Community Development Corporation, Fresno County Perinatal Wellness Center, Stone Soup Fresno, Tarpey Elementary School Parent Teacher Club, The Way Ministries and Wesley United Methodist Church Food Pantry.
The organizations were selected by an Associated Students, Inc. ad hoc committee based on their connections to Fresno State, client population served and overall need expressed in their applications.
Each distributing organization has already identified families and projects to receive hams.
The Gibson Farm Market has sold out of holiday hams, but customers can still purchase Fresno State holiday baskets and winter-themed products such as peppermint and mint almonds and bark, pretzels and ice cream.
The Gibson Farm Market will maintain its normal hours through Saturday, Dec. 23 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday). The market will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1 and will resume normal hours on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
For more information about the campaign, contact Ashleigh Rocker Green, Associated Students, Inc. program and volunteer coordinator, at 559.278.7703 or arocker@csufresno.edu. For more information on the Gibson Farm Market, contact 559.278.4511.
