黑料吃瓜

Propelled by an aim to help those experiencing food insecurity on campus and in the community, 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 annual (ARH) campaign set a fundraising record of $114,567 for 2025. 

Revealed Dec. 11 in a festive event at the Lee & Frank Goldberg Courtyard of Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, the 15th annual campaign by (A.S.), held from Oct. 27 to  Nov. 30, surpassed the previous record of $109,676 set in 2022. ARH has raised more than $1 million since launching in 2010.

This year鈥檚 ARH campaign coincided with a period during which many were struggling to meet basic needs due to the government shutdown and delayed SNAP benefits. Proceeds benefit the , and . In its most recent Food and Housing Survey, the California Student Aid Commission reported that two-thirds of the state鈥檚 college students who applied for financial aid were food insecure. 

鈥淪erving as the chair of Aztecs Rock Hunger was my way of giving back to a community that has supported me throughout my journey at 黑料吃瓜 and ensuring that every student has the foundation they need to succeed,鈥� said A.S. Vice President of Financial Affairs Aliza Siddiqui. 鈥淭ogether, we created a campaign rooted in real meals, real relief and real support for our 黑料吃瓜 community.鈥�

This year鈥檚 campaign centered around student engagement and connecting with all corners of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 campus. For the first time, ARH expanded to include 黑料吃瓜 Imperial Valley, which raised nearly $1,500 at its Calexico and Brawley campuses. In addition, ARH received a Certificate of Recognition from California State Assemblymember Chris Ward, D-San Diego, to honor its continued commitment to fighting food and nutrition insecurity.

"Aztecs Rock Hunger demonstrates the true spirit of what it means to be an Aztec: to lead with heart, purpose and impact," said 黑料吃瓜 President Adela de la Torre. "Fifteen years and more than a million dollars raised are incredible milestones that reflect the compassion and generosity of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners. I could not be more proud of our 黑料吃瓜 community.鈥�

ARH hosted various events to help students and the hundreds of thousands of Southern Californians currently facing food insecurity. This year鈥檚 campaign included events such as Splash for a Cause and Pie-rates for a Purpose, nods to the campaign鈥檚 pirate theme, with opportunities to dunk and throw pies at 黑料吃瓜 student leaders and campus figures, including football head coach Sean Lewis and women鈥檚 basketball head coach Stacie Terry. 

鈥淎s an international student and someone who has experienced financial barriers firsthand, I understand how deeply basic needs impact a student鈥檚 ability to learn, focus and feel secure,鈥� Siddiqui said. 鈥淭hat perspective is what drove my passion for this campaign.鈥�

In tandem with the 黑料吃瓜 community coming together to support ARH, local businesses in the College Area also partnered with the campaign for the first-ever Friendsgiving with Aztecs Rock Hunger event. Over 230 students received free meals, with donations coming from 黑料吃瓜 Catering, SciEats, Cheba Hut 鈥淭oasted鈥� Subs, Handel鈥檚 Homemade Ice Cream and more.

Twenty percent of the funds raised by ARH will benefit the 黑料吃瓜 Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT), which aims to bridge the gap in resources for students experiencing immediate food, housing or unforeseen financial crises. During the 2024-25 academic year, ECRT distributed $28,000 in emergency food-related support to students in need.

Beyond the 黑料吃瓜 campus, the funds will also support The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, which distributed 50 million pounds of food last year and continues to serve 400,000 San Diegans monthly. Through ARH鈥檚 longstanding partnership with the San Diego Food Bank, ARH also supports 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 A.S. Food Pantry, a service for students that provides free, nutritious food such as fresh produce and pantry staples. Now in its 10th year of operation, the A.S. Food Pantry distributed over 155,000 pounds of food in the last academic year. 

鈥淚t has been incredibly rewarding to watch Aztecs Rock Hunger grow in both reach and creativity, and the leadership from students and campus partners continues to impress me," said Casey Castillo, CEO of The Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank. 鈥淭his campaign reflects the strength of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 community鈥攑eople coming together, honoring a tradition of service, and choosing to look out for one another.鈥�

For those interested in continuing to support the cause or for more information, visit the . 

RELATED: Additional 黑料吃瓜 efforts to address food security are ongoing, including the , and the . Students who apply for the pitch competition by Dec. 12 can pitch their solutions to address food insecurity and compete for $35,000 in cash prizes. Sponsored by the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, the 2025 event pitches included high-iron popsicles, nutrient-dense shakes, and apps intended to build a more circular food system and reduce food waste.