Fresno State’s 2019 March Match Up campaign was the most successful so far, raising $252,822.00 for the Student Cupboard, a food and hygiene pantry for Fresno State students. A total of 321 donors invested in the campaign, which lasted throughout March.

This year’s total exceeds the previous record by 37.0%. The earlier record was $184,475 raised in 2017.

The Student Cupboard provides Fresno State students who are experiencing food insecurity with free fresh and nonperishable food items and hygiene products and is one of many initiatives that facilitate student success. The Student Cupboard relies on the annual March Match Up campaign, which runs from March 1 through 31, to generate the funds necessary to provide this on-campus basic needs resource.

“We are very appreciative of so many partners and donors getting involved and investing in the March Match Up campaign,” said Dr. Frank Lamas, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “Fresno State’s Student Cupboard will continue to address basic needs for our students, giving them every opportunity to be successful in their academics and carry that success back into the community as our next generation of leaders. Our mission to boldly educate and empower students for success by removing barriers such as food insecurity allows students to focus on personal, academic and career success.”

Several key partners provided matching funds that helped make this year even more successful than previous years. Moss Adams LLP, Granville Homes and an anonymous donor teamed up to match, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 in gifts to the Student Cupboard during the campaign. Founding partner Moss Adams has supported March Match Up every year since it began in 2016.

Additional corporate partners kept the momentum going in a variety of ways, pushing the campaign into overdrive – donating a portion of sales on certain dates or encouraging patrons to “round up” their change on purchases to donate to March Match Up. These partners were:

  • Pieology’s seven Central Valley locations
  • Macy’s Fashion Fair and River Park locations
  • Dutch Bros.’ six Central Valley stores
  • Sal’s Mexican Restaurants’ Fresno and Madera locations
  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Gibson Farm Market, Kennel Bookstore and the Bulldog Shop

The fundraising drive began in 2016 by playing off the March Madness college basketball theme envisioned by Mary Castro after meeting with Fresno State alumni Chris Morse and Ken Witter. The goal was to support students while inspiring others to give.

“The success of this year’s March Match Up, and the participation of so many partners and donors shows the community’s willingness to invest in the long-term success of this impactful program,” said Mary Castro, Fresno State’s first lady who has volunteered to spearhead the campaign since its inception. “Students from every field of study are feeling empowered and believed in through the generosity of Student Cupboard donors.”

More than 43% of Fresno State students surveyed said they had experienced some level of food insecurity in the past year, according to a 2017 California State University study. During the 2017-18 academic year, 5,217 students visited the Student Cupboard, totaling 47,829 visits.

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.