This week in Chico State athletics is almost entirely about giving. It is Chico Love Week on campus. Thursday marks the second annual Chico State Giving Day. Saturday is Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry Night at Acker Gym.
 
It all makes for an extraordinary swirl of wonder, gratitude, and giving.
 
But for approximately four hours—two on Thursday and two on Saturday—the Chico State men's basketball team will take a short break from the warm fuzzies in a quest of complete self-interest. The Wildcats don't want to, nor can they afford to, give even an inch, to visiting Cal State San Bernardino or Cal Poly Pomona.
 
More on that in a few paragraphs. First, back to the warm fuzzies.
 
Chico State's Department of Athletics has been an ardent supporter of the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry since its inception. We are asking every fan who attends Saturday night's basketball doubleheader and is able to bring a donation to the Pantry—nutritious non-perishable food times, toiletries, or cash.
 

The Pantry is currently in need of the following: canned protein (chicken, fish, black and refried beans, soups, chilis, and stews); healthy snacks such as protein bars, nuts, and dried fruit; hygiene items (tampons, pads, liners, soaps, toothpaste, dental floss, toothbrushes, shampoos); and baby food and diapers of all sizes.
 
Last academic year, the Pantry served more than 4,000 students, supporting an average of 100 students served per day, and distributed more than 35 tons of healthy food, which is the equivalent of 58,000 meals. The Pantry is a key component of the Chico State Basic Needs Project, which the Chico Cares Campaign supports.
 
Thank you for partnering with us Saturday, as we partner with the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry!
 
Thursday is Giving Day. On Chico State's inaugural Giving Day, in the fall of 2017, 467 of Chico State's amazing supporters gave more than $75,000 to support the athletics department. At least in part because of that generosity, 2017-18 was one of the program's most successful campaigns ever.
 
Thursday, the department's goal is to raise that number of donors to more than 500.
 
Every gift, large or small, helps us get there! Thank you for your support.  CLICK HERE TO GIVE (and make sure to scroll down and find your favorite team) or text the following to give to...

The entire department: chicoathletics to 71777
Baseball: chicoathletics1 to 71777
Men's Basketball: chicoathletics2 to 71777
Women's Basketball: chicoathletics3 to 71777
Men's Cross Country: chicoathletics4 to 71777
Women's Cross Country: chicoathletics5 to 71777
Men's Golf: chicoathletics6 to 71777
Women's Golf: chicoathletics7 to 71777
Men's Soccer: chicoathletics8 to 71777
Women's Soccer: chicoathletics9 to 71777
Softball: chicoathletics10 to 71777
Men's Track & Field: chicoathletics11 to 71777
Women's Track & Field: chicoathletics12 to 71777
Volleyball: chicoathletics13 to 71777
 
Fans at Thursday night's doubleheader (the men's game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30) will receive a handout with more extensive information. They will also be treated to a great showdown as the Wildcats look to avenge an 88-72 loss to the Coyotes from earlier this season.
 
Chico State has won three in a row for the first time this season (improving to 8-9 overall and 7-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association) to get back into the hunt for a playoff spot.
 
Cal State San Bernardino is by all accounts one of the most talented teams in the West Region. The Coyotes are 15-9 overall, 11-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), and coming off their biggest win of the season, a 77-75 upset of then-nationally-ranked UC San Diego.
 
Saturday night it will be visiting Cal Poly Pomona that is out for revenge. The Wildcats' 70-66 win in Pomona earlier this season was their most impressive of the season. But the two teams went opposite directions over the weeks that followed.
 
Chico State dropped six of its next seven games. Cal Poly Pomona, meanwhile, began its current seven-game winning streak three weeks later. The Broncos are now 14-5 overall, 12-5 in the CCAA, and just one game out of first place in the conference standings.
 
The Wildcats have since righted the ship, however, and boast a 5-2 record at home.
 
Mike Baca and Mike Wessels will be courtside both nights to provide the play-by-play, broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290-AM and 102.9 FM KPAY, and simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live stats and live streaming video links are available in the calendar section and on the men's basketball schedule page at www.chicowildcats.com.