AUGUST 30, 2024 — UTSA is gearing up for a fierce competition against a familiar rival, but this time it's on more than the football field. The Roadrunners are rallying the community for Huddle Against Hunger, a fundraising challenge with Texas State University. From Friday, August 30 to Saturday, September 7, both universities will compete to find out which school can rally the most donors to support their respective food pantries.
Beyond a simple rivalry, this challenge provides fans with an opportunity to make a significant impact on a growing challenge across college campuses. In a recent nationwide study, nearly half of student respondents admitted to struggling with access to nutritious meals in the last 30 days.
UTSA understands this challenge. For many students, the UTSA Roadrunner Pantry and Whataburger Resource Room is a lifeline that provides the essentials they need to stay focused on their studies and succeed. By participating in the Huddle Against Hunger challenge, donors are contributing to a cause that directly helps students in need.
“The Roadrunner Pantry provides supplemental food to students and staff facing food insecurity. It is sometimes the only food available for those struggling with other expenses like rent, gas and school expenses, where they may have to choose one or the other,” said Zachary Marcotte, UTSA program manager for the food pantries. “The need at UTSA is clear, especially among international students who might not have work visas and are unable to earn income to purchase food. Daily, we average around 150 visitors, totaling about 17,000 shoppers annually, including repeat customers.”
Thanks to the generosity of Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union and Alterman, a $30,000 Huddle Against Hunger prize pool is on the line. The school with the highest number of unique donors will claim the top prize of $18,000, with the runner-up receiving $12,000. At UTSA, a first place prize could translate into as many as 126,000 meals for students in need.
Karl Miller Lugo, UTSA vice president for advancement and alumni engagement, emphasizes the importance of this challenge.
“The Huddle Against Hunger challenge is an opportunity for our community to come together, show our Roadrunner spirit and support our students in a meaningful way,” he said. “Every donor, every dollar, and every social media share brings us closer to ensuring that no student goes hungry.”
The Roadrunner Pantry and Whataburger Resource Room serve as a critical resource for students facing food insecurity, offering access to nutritious food and essential personal care items at no cost. Located on the Main and Downtown campuses, there have been more than 54,900 visits since the first pantry was established in 2017, reflecting the need among students.
This campus resource provides invaluable support, helping students focus on their education rather than worrying about their next meal. Supported by contributions from UTSA’s generous donor community, the pantry ensures that students have the opportunity to thrive, with over 90% of users reporting that the pantry helped them stay enrolled in college.
Our community is generous and this challenge is coming at the best time to help kick off the new academic year,” said Miller Lugo. “Beating Texas State would, of course, be a bonus and result in additional resources for the pantry. Together, we can outpace the competition and provide crucial support to our students at a time when the pantry sees some of its highest use.”
Added Marcotte, “Let’s huddle up, UTSA! Donate now, share the campaign, and let’s show Texas State what Roadrunner spirit is all about. Together, we’ll tackle hunger and ensure our students have the resources they need to thrive.”
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