Fresno State will hold its seventh annual Helping Hams campaign, sponsored by Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), which will kick off with a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market.
The campaign sets out to donate holiday hams to numerous charitable organizations and at Wednesday’s launch, Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro will announce this year’s goal to raise $7,500 to purchase hams, according to a Fresno State news release.
Castro will be joined by other members of his cabinet; Dr. Dennis Nef, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology; Omar Hernandez, ASI president; and Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology student senator Jackie Taylor.
The Gibson Farm Market will be accepting donations in increments of $5, as $30 dollars is the price to purchase one ham for a family in need. So far, RCO Ag Credit, a major supporter for the last six years, has pledged $2,500.
A committee of ASI representatives will be reviewing applications received from various organizations in order to determine who will receive the holiday ham donations. Organizations interested in applying can sign up at the helping hams website.
In the past, the campaign has exceeded its goals in raising money, allowing Fresno State to donate over 1,000 hams since 2013, with last year’s mark hitting 250 donated hams.
For those looking to donate, the drive will run through Dec. 5. The Gibson Farm Market is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
