Aztecs Rock Hunger sets to reach $1 million in lifetime donations

The annual Aztecs Rock Hunger (ARH) campaign returns Oct. 4 running through Oct. 27, to combat food insecurity at San Diego State University and throughout San Diego County. 

Led by Associated Students (A.S.), this universitywide initiative supports SDSU students and the local population. ARH partners with the SDSU Economic Crisis and Response Team (ECRT), the A.S. Food Pantry, and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank to meet the growing need for food and essential resources.

With the rising cost of living, food insecurity remains a critical issue. One in four San Diegans faced nutrition insecurity last year and were unable to access sufficient and nutritious food, according to the San Diego Hunger Coalition. The ARH campaign’s slogan, “Feed the Need,” underscores the ongoing fight against hunger both on campus and in the local community. Each dollar donated is equivalent to two meals provided for those in need.

“[ARH’s] sole purpose is to raise as much money as possible to fight food and nutrition insecurity,” said Vincent Lin, A.S. vice president of Financial Affairs and Chair of Aztecs Rock Hunger. “Not just in the SDSU community, but in the San Diego community as a whole.”

If the ARH campaign reaches its goal of $100,000 this year, it will surpass $1 million in lifetime donations since the campaign's inception in 2010. 

Of all the money raised by ARH, 20% supports critical resources provided by the SDSU ECRT. The ECRT bridges the gap for students dealing with urgent food, housing or financial crises that could impact their academic success. Last year, ECRT distributed over $55,000 in emergency food support.

Additionally, a portion of the donations directly benefits the A.S. Food Pantry, which provides free nutritious food for students facing food insecurity. Located on the second floor of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, the pantry is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and offers students fresh fruits, canned goods, snacks and protein bars. Last year, the pantry distributed over 100,000 pounds of food to SDSU students.

ARH is encouraging members of the campus community to donate through four simple avenues: 

• On Venmo @aztecsrock or CashApp $aztecsrock
• Via the SDSU Online Giving Portal (tax-deductible)
• 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.