March Match Up exceeds goal of $100,000 to battle student hunger

Fresno State’s March Match Up campaign exceeded organizers’ expectations by raising $150,044 for the Student Cupboard, a food and hygiene pantry for Fresno State students. The campaign, which lasted throughout March, was bolstered by 286 donors.

“Seeing the increase in the number of partners who have stepped up to help our students in need is a testament of the meaningful impact the community and University can achieve when working together,” said Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro. “It is also very gratifying to know that our alumni from around the state recognized the need and rushed in to support our students.”

Donors contributed gifts ranging from $10 to $25,000 to surpass the goal of $100,000. Some of the lead donors included: Moss Adams LLP, Fagundes Dairy, The Wonderful Company Foundation and an anonymous donor.

The fundraising drive began in 2016 by playing off the March Madness college basketball theme when Fresno State alumni Chris Morse and Ken Witter wanted to support students while inspiring others to give.

The Student Cupboard opened in November 2014 and provides current Fresno State students who are challenged by food insecurity with free, perishable and non-perishable food items and hygiene products. It is one of the initiatives under the Food Security Project that aims to increase student access to affordable, nutritious food. More than 3,300 student visits are recorded at the Student Cupboard each month, and over 10,700 students have visited the Student Cupboard since it opened.

“A goal of the March Match Up campaign was to raise awareness about hunger, one of the most significant and widespread challenges that college students face today,” said Mary Castro, Fresno State’s first lady who has volunteered to spearhead the campaign since its inception in 2016. “Surpassing our goal was achieved by the generous donations of many people in our community who wanted to join our team by donating to the Student Cupboard. Every person who contributed should be proud of the role they are playing in feeding student success and helping our talented students reach their academic goals.”

For more information about the campaign, contact David Hembree at 559.278.5052 or dhembree@csufresno.edu. For more information about the Student Cupboard, which is located in the Grosse Industrial Technology Building (Room 144), contact Jessica Medina at 559.278.6621.