Aztecs Rock Hunger Brings Food to Hundreds of Thousands of San Diegans, Students
Back on campus, this years contributions provided more than 534,000 pounds of food.
San Diego State University’s annual Aztecs Rock Hunger campaign collected 534,542 pounds of food for The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, marking another successful year in the campaign.
“I am incredibly proud of the leadership team and everyone else involved,” said A.S. Vice President of Financial Affairs Austin Barber. “Although we frame the campaign around a number, any and everything helps. To see over half a million pounds of food going back to the San Diego community and our students is just an incredible feeling.”
From Oct. 22 to Nov. 14, the universitywide campaign led by Associated Students collected non-perishable food items and monetary donations to combat food and nutrition insecurity. Red bins were placed around campus and monetary donations were collected at campus markets, select athletic games and tabling events. A $1 donation provided six pounds of food.
“I was completely blown away by the amount of pounds raised,” said Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank Interim CEO Casey Castillo. “SDSU does such a great job as it gets bigger and better every year. 534,000 pounds raised is enormous and will feed hundreds of thousands of hungry San Diegans this year.”
Last year’s Aztecs Rock Hunger drive was conducted primarily in virtual space.
The success of the campaign comes at a critical time, with the food bank expecting to serve more hungry San Diegans during the holiday season.
“We’re currently serving 550,000 people a month and during the holidays, we expect the need to grow,” said Castillo. “Being able to provide another 534,000 pounds to the community and feed hundreds of thousands of families is a huge thing for us. We couldn’t do this work without great partners like SDSU.”
Campus help
In addition to supporting The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, 20% of the monetary donations will stay on-campus through SDSU’s Economic Crisis and Response Team to support students experiencing immediate food, housing or unforeseen financial crises. A portion of the amount raised also goes back into the A.S. Food Pantry which distributes an average of over 100,000 pounds of food each year.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Barber said. “Aztecs Rock Hunger has always been a community based effort. This campaign would not be possible without everyone’s support.”
