The Student Cupboard at Fresno State and the Big Fresno Fair are partnering for the fair’s seventh annual “Feed the Need” Community Food Drive.

On Oct. 15, participants can take in five canned good or nonperishable food items to the Student Cupboard and earn free fair admission for that same day.

In addition to “Feed the Need” drive, the Student Cupboard, located on the southwest corner of Barstow and Jackson avenues, is holding its own community food drive as well.

Jessica Medina, project coordinator for the office of the vice president for student affairs, said that the drive’s competition is among organizations, clubs, fraternities and sororities.

Medina said that the organization that brings in the most pounds of food will be given up to 20 tickets for the 2 Chainz concert on Oct. 17, as well as fair tickets for the winning organization.

Dr. Frank Lamas, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, said that food insecurity is a big issue in the community, including with Fresno State students and their families.

“I am very proud to have our Fresno State community and student organizations come together in the challenge to help their peers in providing resources so many of us take for granted,” Lamas said.

Medina said that the Student Cupboard competition may be the student counterpart of the “Feed the Need” drive, but that the drive as a whole is for anyone to participate in.

“We are certainly looking for anybody””it does not have to be a Fresno State student””to make a donation,” Medina said. “It could be faculty, staff, community member or students that want to bring in donations.”

Medina said that everything that is donated to the Student Cupboard will stay there for Fresno State students.

“We’re serving so many students here at the Student Cupboard on a weekly basis that the food that comes in and goes onto our shelves makes such a difference for students and really helps them out,” Medina added.

The Student Cupboard drive will end on Oct. 14 at noon.