HAYWARD, Calif. — The Cal State East Bay Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), in connection with the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), are hosting its annual February Food Drive next week on campus, Feb. 13-19.

It is the 12th-consecutive year of the food drive, which was designed to raise awareness of the plight of those who face hunger and food insecurity in communities surrounding the conference's 12 member institutions. You can view the full CCAA release here.

All donations will go to the Pioneers for H.O.P.E Food Pantry, directly benefiting students at Cal State East Bay. Bins will be located at Pioneer Gymnasium, the Athletic Department (Bookstore Building), the RAW and home Athletic events below:

• Tuesday, Feb 15 - Softball vs Holy Names 12pm & 2pm
• Thursday, Feb 17 - Men's/Women's Basketball vs SF State 5:30/7:30pm
• Friday, Feb 18 - Baseball vs Simpson 11am & 2 pm
• Saturday Feb 19 - 
  • Baseball vs Simpson 11am 
  • Men's/Women's Basketball vs CSUMB 1 pm & 3 pm

During the last Food Drive in February 2020, CSUEB had the biggest increase with a 156 percent leap.

"The February Food Drive aligns with the mission of SAAC because one of our main missions as a club is to work towards the betterment of our university through community engagement and charity fundraising," said East Bay SAAC president and women's basketball player Delia Moore. "By running a Food Drive, we are able to directly give back to our community, particularly the large quantity of students who are struggling to find consistent meals.

"The purpose of this food drive is not only to collect as many packaged goods as possible to distribute to those in need, but also to raise awareness to the prevalence of hunger in our community and on our campus. Our goal is to improve upon our efforts last year, which amounted to 2,020 items. Together, we can make an immediate impact. Help us get there!"

On our East Bay Hawyard campus alone, 46 percent of students have reported food insecurities. Meanwhile, 10 percent of CSU students are currently homeless.

"It is important for SAAC and Pioneer Athletics to give back to the East Bay Student community because we as athletes are a part of that community, but also gain support from the students at our events," said East Bay SAAC Vice President and women's soccer player Jordan Smith. "Even before the pandemic, a percentage of our students have been struggling with the ability to get food.

"We choose to donate to the HOPE pantry because the food is directly going back to the students in need. We were able to work with Jennifer Luna, the director of Recreation and Student Wellbeing, in order to find out exactly what kind of food students need. Everyone should have access to good food, and it's important for college students to feel supported. Please help us help others by donating!"

DONATION NEEDS / GUIDELINES

• NO EXPIRED FOOD
• HIGH PROTEIN FOOD - Nuts, beans (canned not dry)
• LOW SODIUM FOOD
• MICROWAVE READY FOOD - Oatmeal, mac-n-cheese, popcorn
• Protein Bars / Granola Bars
• Cereal - individual boxes, packs
• Dried Fruit
• Fruit Snacks
• Canned Goods
  • Fruit
  • Veggies
  • Tuna
  • Beans
  • etc. 
• Peanut Butter / Jelly / Jam
• Tea Bags / Instant Coffee
• Shelf Stable Creamers
• Jerky
• SPICES! - Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder