It might be time to give Chico State Athletics supporters a nickname: How about the USPS? Neither snow nor rain or heat nor gloom of night—not even a pandemic—keeps the Wildcat Family from responding to an ask with generosity.
 
We saw it recently on a record-shattering Giving Day. But even right before that, Chico State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) asked folks to contribute to our annual effort to support the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, which is the front door to the University's vital Basic Needs initiative.
 
It would not be as easy as usual. There were no games at which to drop off non-perishable food items. In fact, this time folks would have to call and make a drop-off appointment. But the contributions did not drop off. In fact, our supporters were more generous than ever, contributing a record 6,164 items, plus monetary donations, for a combined equivalent of 8,894 food items.
 
The total blew our expectations and all of our previous records out of the water.
 
The annual push is part of a California Collegiate Athletic Association-wide initiative to support local food pantries. This year marks the 11^th competition to see which conference institution's SAAC can get the most donations.
 
Last year, Chico State claimed the conference title with 5,393 donations made. It appears likely to repeat.
 
The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, founded in 2013 on the belief that all students should have access to healthy food, serves thousands of students per year.
  
Would you like to donate or learn more? Are you a student in need of assistance? Please VISIT THE BASIC NEEDS PAGE for more information.