Oct. 2012 - Aztecs Rock Hunger

SDSU Hopes to Set Food Drive Record

This year’s goal for the Aztecs Rock Hunger food drive is 100,000 pounds.

Aztecs Rock Hunger 2012

Despite signs of economic improvement, there are still many hungry Americans that need assistance.

Nationally, one in five children lives in a food insecure household, or families that have difficulty providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources. In an average elementary school classroom in San Diego, almost six children could be food insecure.

Of San Diego’s 3.1 million residents, more than 446,000 live in poverty and nearly a third of those are children.

Colleges Rock Hunger

Thankfully, San Diego area colleges and universities, including San Diego State, are partnering with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank for the fifth annual Colleges Rock Hunger food drive. Last year, Aztecs donated nearly 55,000 pounds of food, nearly three times the amount of food collected in 2010.

SDSU has won the countywide competition each year since it started in 2008. This year, organizers hope to collect 100,000 pounds of food in the Oct. 5 – 28 drive that serves as a kick-off donation for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank’s annual holiday food drive.

"Aztecs Rock Hunger is a great way for students, faculty, and staff to come together and make an impact on the San Diego community," said Eric Anderberg, Associated Students VP of Finance, who serves as chair of the A.S. community service board and oversees the university’s involvement in the drive. "Think of the impact you can make on one of the 350,000 fed by the SD Food Bank each month, by doing something as simple as saving loose change, or by sacrificing one luxury purchase throughout the month and contributing to a family, or a child’s right to a meal."

Donate today

There are several ways to participate, including:

  • Donate non-perishable food in any of the numerous red bins across campus
  • Make a financial contribution at Aztec Markets or any Dining Services location
  • Give food or money at any Aztec football game in the month of October
  • Bring donations to the Associated Students of SDSU booth at the BOO! Parade on Oct. 27
  • Make a donation to the SDSU Virtual Pantry, where every dollar donated is equivalent to 3.84 lbs. of food and provides three meals for San Diegans in need

For more information about the food drive or to donate, visit as.sdsu.edu/rockhunger/.

San Diego’s hungry

Last year, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank distributed more than 20 million pounds of food to San Diego County, equivalent to nearly 16 million meals. Each month, the local food bank provides more than 350,000 people with 1.2 million meals in communities and cities throughout San Diego County.

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank serves a diverse cross-section of San Diegans, including:

  • Chronically hungry school children
  • Low-income seniors
  • Low-income military families

For more information about the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, please visit sandiegofoodbank.org.

About Associated Students of SDSU

Associated Students is an independent, student-directed, non-profit corporation that is one of the largest student governance organizations in the California State University system. As an affiliate of San Diego State University, the programs and facilities A.S. manages are enjoyed by students, faculty, staff and the San Diego community.

Visit as.sdsu.edu for more information about A.S. services and programs.