On #GivingTuesday — a global day of giving taking place this year on Nov. 29 — Cal State Fullerton invites the community to support a critical effort to raise funds for students who face food insecurity and homelessness.
The Student Assistance Fund for Emergencies (SAFE) is a direct response to a January report from the California State University Chancellor’s Office stating that approximately 21 to 24 percent of the CSU system’s 460,000 students lack regular access to food and 8 to 12 percent lack stable housing.
SAFE will support projects developed by CSUF to assist food and housing insecure students, such as a food pantry, temporary housing assistance, meal plan assistance, an emergency fund and an app that will inform students where they can acquire leftover or donated food on campus.
“This is one of the biggest issues in the nation right now for college students,” said Dave Edwards, Associated Students Inc. executive director and chair of the University’s Food and Housing Security Task Force. “You can’t expect students to be successful if they’re hungry and don’t know where they’re going to sleep at night.”
The task force, which successfully implemented a donated meals campaign, temporary housing program and hygiene drive this semester, will continue to examine these issues on campus and make recommendations for future programming and fund allocation.
“We are proud that this year’s Cal State Fullerton #GivingTuesday fundraising efforts will support student needs through SAFE,” said Todd Frandsen, interim executive director of central development. “I know many of our alumni, faculty, staff and parents will respond wholeheartedly to this impactful program.”
Since its inception in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired millions of people to champion the causes they believe in and support the communities they live in. Last year, 700,000 people in 71 countries participated in #GivingTuesday activities and raised more $116 million in donations.
Please consider supporting the Titan community on #GivingTuesday, or any time during the charitable season, by making an online donation at www.fullerton.edu/project-safe. As a token of appreciation, you will receive a limited-edition CSUF keychain with a donation of $5 or more.
Related stories:
CSUF Task Force to Examine Homelessness, Food Insecurity
Titans Tackle Food Insecurity
Titans Collect Hygiene Products for Students in Need