The Student Cupboard is beating food insecurity with March Match Up

The whole month of March was dedicated to March Match Up, a fundraiser campaign for the Student Cupboard.

Community partners matched the donations $1 for a $1, at the end of the month the Student Cupboard reached their goal of 150,000 dollars.

More than forty three percent of students have surveyed that they have struggled with food insecurity throughout their college career.

ASI President Ruby Muniz was more than happy to be able to give back to the Student Cupboard because she has also struggled with food insecurity.

“It’s a great cause I myself have experienced food insecurity, throughout Fresno State out of the twenty five thousand students here at Fresno state forty three point seven percent have experienced food insecurity so giving back to the organization that has helped me personally throughout my college experience is definitely a great way.”

The proceeds of March Match Up will help replenish the Student Cupboard, that gets more than 5,500 visits a month. The Student Cupboard offers free foods like milk, cereal, canned foods, fresh vegetables, and even hygiene products.

By providing these resources the Student Cupboard hopes that this can be one less thing struggling students or that are on a tight budget don’t have to go hungry.

With COVID-19 restrictions causing layoffs, the Cupboard is seeing an increase in students struggling to buy food. At, this time the Student Cupboard is needed more that ever.

Jessica Medina the Food Security Project Coordinator says the Student Cupboard is still open but is taking safety precautions during this time.

“To make the process as safe as possible for our students as well as our team still working, only Student Cupboard employees are allowed inside. We are pre-packing 2-3 bags full of items for students to take with them at the door. We are hoping these items will last them several days to a few weeks so that they can stay safe at home.”

The Student Cupboard is still operating at regular hours, for more information you can visit their social media platforms @StudentCupboard. http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/foodsecurity/student-cupboard.html