Throughout the month of March, Fresno State’s Student Cupboard will be campaigning to raise $50,000, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Programs and, for the second year, the accounting firm Moss Adams LLP.

The two organizations chose to sponsor the campaign by matching each donation dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000 each. Jessica Medina, who is coordinator of the Food Security Project, which oversees the Student Cupboard, said that is a fortunate contribution.

“March Match Up is our annual campaign, [and] this is the second year we’ve done it,” said Medina said.

Findings in the California State University website for Housing Stability and Food Security for Students in the CSU show that food and housing insecurity are pervasive issues for CSU students.

The website also says that students who have regular access to nutritious food are more successful than those who do not.

“One in three Fresno State students do not know where their next meal is coming from,” Mary Castro, wife of President Dr. Joseph Castro said. “By removing barriers and providing these essential needs, students can focus on their academic achievements.”

All of the funds raised will go toward the Student Cupboard’s efforts to alleviate student food insecurity.

Medina said that in 2016 they raised a total of $107,000, surpassing their goal of $50,000.

This year, Medina said, they have the same goal of $50,000, not yet including the match.

“Any donation, no matter how big or how small, is accepted, and it makes a difference because it’s matched,” Medina said.

The inspiration for March Match Up came from Moss Adams LLP in 2016.

“They came to us last year and were interested in it,” Medina said.

The campaign started when Fresno State alumni Chris Morse and Ken Wittwer of Moss Adams approached Mary Castro and proposed a match of $50,000 to support students who utilized the Student Cupboard.

Medina said the campaign is more successful than he expected. Supporting the students in their academic success is what the Student Cupboard strives for, he said.

“A lot of times, that means more than just assisting them academically, but assisting them as a whole person through food security, providing them with hygiene items and other ways to support them, as well,” Medina said. “It’s something that is extremely well taken, and the students are very excited that we’re being so well supported.”

Medina said students often wonder where funding is coming from and if it comes from student fees.

“Because of the March Match Up and other campaigns and donations we receive, no student fees go towards supporting this program. It is all donor-supported,” Medina said. “It’s really tremendous for our students.”

Economics student Ryuya Kimura, an international student from Japan, said because he and his twin brother are supporting each other, money tends to be scarce.

“It costs double, so we use [the Student Cupboard] because it’s very helpful — it’s great,” Kimura said.

His twin Jukiya Kimura, who is also an economics major, agreed that because they are both international students, having enough money to support each other becomes difficult.

They said that although they do buy some groceries, they use the Student Cupboard to supplement what they cannot afford.

The campaign is challenging people in the Central Valley to challenge their friends to donate by posting a video on social media and using the hashtag #FSMarchMatchup.

Acceptable video challenges may include tossing a basketball or showing Bulldog spirit.

Anyone interested in learning more about the campaign or donating may visit: fresnostate.edu/marchmatchup.