Some students will return to the Chico State campus for Winter Session, which begins on Jan. 2. On Jan. 22, all 17,000-plus are back. Many of those students will be facing food insecurity.
 
Fortunately, the Wildcat Food Pantry exists to help.
 
Thanks to the generosity of fans, faculty, staff, and student-athletes, Chico State's Department of Athletics has been a champion of the Wildcat Food Pantry since its inception in 2013. Sunday, we're providing another opportunity for the community to help. The New Year's Day matinee doubleheader against Cal State Dominguez Hills is also a Wildcat Pantry Day, meaning that fans are encouraged to bring a donation—nutritious non-perishable food items, or cash—to Sunday's games.
 
Tipoff for the women's game is noon, and the men's game will start at approximately 2 p.m.
 
The Pantry is currently in need of canned chicken or fish, canned beans, canned vegetables and fruits, dry beans, lentils, pasta, rice, oatmeal, cereal, and healthy snacks such as granola bars. The Pantry also distributes some small hygiene items. (e.g., toilet paper, tampons, dental care items)
 
A recent Chico State student survey conducted by our Center for Healthy Communities indicated that 8,000 students (46 percent) suffer from low to very low food security. The USDA defines food insecurity as having problems or anxiety about consistently accessing adequate food, with impacts to the quality, variety, and desirability of a diet and the potential for disrupted eating patterns or reduced food intake. 

The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry was established in 2013 and has provided 23 tons of food assistance to more than 2,500 students, representing more than 38,000 meals. Through the support of CalFresh Outreach and our Center for Healthy Communities, the pantry provides application assistance for CalFresh, which is California's USDA SNAP supplemental food program. The pantry also provides hygiene products and referrals to campus and community services for students in need. The Pantry is a key component of the Chico State Basic Needs Project, which the Chico Cares Campaign supports.

The most efficient gift the Pantry can receive is your charitable contribution. Simply, your donated dollar goes farther than donated food purchased at a grocery store. Your financial support is used strategically to purchase the healthy food they need at below wholesale rates through their partners.

Thank you in advance for partnering with Chico State athletics to support the efforts of the Wildcat Food Pantry to keep students nourished and ready to do their best!