Aztecs Rock Hunger Sets to Raise Another $100,000

The annual Aztecs Rock Hunger (ARH) campaign is back to ease the need and fight food insecurity at San Diego State University and throughout San Diego now through Nov. 5. 

The universitywide campaign, led by Associated Students, assists the SDSU community through the SDSU Economic Crisis and Response Team and A.S. Food Pantry and helps over 400,000 San Diegans monthly through The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

With the continued increase in the cost of living, the need for food remains at an all-time high. One in four San Diegans was nutrition insecure in the past year, unable to access sufficient, safe, nutritious and culturally acceptable food.

“Aztecs Rock Hunger is more than a university philanthropic effort — this truly changes the lives of many communities when we come together as one,” said Leo Peña, A.S. Vice President of Financial Affairs.

With one in four enrolled SDSU students using the A.S. Food Pantry in the last year, the tagline for the campaign continues to be “Feed the Need,” a call to action to fight nutrition and food insecurity existing in and around the SDSU community.

The ARH campaign allocates 20% of the monetary donations raised to the SDSU Economic Crisis Response Team, a university program aiming to bridge the resource gap for students experiencing immediate food, housing, or unforeseen financial crises that impact student success.

In addition, the amount raised also goes back to the SDSU community through the A.S. Food Pantry, a free service for all students facing food insecurity. Located on the second floor of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, the Food Pantry is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and provides fresh and nutritious food to those in need. Over 100,000 pounds of food is distributed at the Food Pantry annually.

Since ARH’s inception in 2010, the SDSU community has raised over $825,000. Last year, the campaign broke its record, raising $109,676.

“In the entirety of the campaign, we have raised over $100,000 only twice. This year, we want to establish the norm of collecting over $100,000 to ease the need and stop food insecurity,” Peña said. A $1 donation equates to two meals.

From Oct. 13 through Nov. 5, Aztecs Rock Hunger will be out tabling with the San Diego Food Bank, Aztec Proud, SDSU Athletics and ECRT. In addition, there will be special donating opportunities through ARH Pie-a-Person and Halloween Dunk Tank events and a Fun Run in collaboration with SDSU Homecoming.

There are easy ways to donate to Aztecs Rock Hunger:

• On Venmo @aztecsrock or CashApp $aztecsrock
• Via the SDSU Online Giving Portal
• Via the Online Virtual Food Pantry
• Dropping off nonperishable food items in the Associated Students Office (third floor, Student Union)
• At all Starbucks, eateries and markets on campus

For more information, go to the ARH website or follow ARH on Instagram: @aztecsrockhunger.