A day recognized globally each year with its focus on generosity, Giving Tuesday – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – aims to create a culture of compassion and philanthropy by encouraging individuals to donate to their favorite cause, nonprofit or charity.
One local opportunity for Giving Tuesday is to donate in support of Cal State Fullerton’s Basic Needs Services, a critical department on campus that provides resources to students in need in areas such as food insecurity, temporary housing, hygiene products and career clothing.
In addition to providing items of support through the ASI Food Pantry or Tuffy’s Career Closet, CSUF Basic Needs Services also provides Basic Needs Grants, financial assistance for students who are experiencing unforeseen hardships in areas related to housing, transportation, utilities or medical care. Monetary donations received this Giving Tuesday in support of CSUF Basic Needs Grants will help ensure Titans can stay focused on their educational path.
“These grants are provided to (students who) find themselves in very unexpected circumstances where they can’t pay for their housing or their transportation method is taken away from them,” said CSUF Director of Annual Giving, Grace Johnson. “With what we are able to provide with these grants, it gives them options that allow their lives to be as disturbed as little as possible.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, CSUF Basic Needs Services has seen triple the requests, which equates to approximately 600 students per week. Economic inflation has played a large role in this increase in need, but Johnson says the objective is to not let the economy keep these Titans from pursuing their educational goals.
“We don’t want those outside factors to be the reason they are getting pulled away from their career path and from where they want to be,” Johnson said. “For any student, Cal State Fullerton is a stepping stone to what they want to do for the rest of their lives….
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