Take a bow, RAMily. Your generosity and commitment to students made a huge impact on Giving Tuesday.

Nearly 1,500 people donated $73,290 to support Rams Against Hunger, providing 10,470 meals for students in need. An additional $46,974 was raised for other CSU funds, making for a historic day. CSU had hoped to raise enough to provide 7,142 meals.

“This Giving Tuesday significantly exceeded our expectations, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors,” said Thea Rounsaville, assistant director of Annual Giving. “We surpassed our first goal and then our stretch goal, bringing in a total of 10,470 meals that will directly benefit students struggling with food insecurity. Everyone in the Ram community, from our alumni to our faculty and staff, to our students, friends, and parents, stepped up in huge way, and we can’t thank them enough!”

Record-setting day

The numbers shattered 2016 totals, when 1,073 donors gave $47,000 – including 655 donations totaling $26,908 for Rams Against Hunger.

Rams Against Hunger was chosen as the featured fund in the Giving Tuesday campaign because 1 in 10 CSU students faces food insecurity. Rams Against Hunger provides meal cards for campus dining centers so students can depend on getting one good meal per day.

Huge impact

While the program has been very successful many students still need support. The meal cards are only good for a semester, and there are many more applicants than available meal cards. Tuesday’s record totals should give the program a significant boost.

“Giving Tuesday was another remarkable example of the power of collective action and the heart our donors have for CSU and its students,” said Kim Tobin, vice president for University Advancement. “Thank you to our many generous alumni, faculty and staff, friends and donors.”

If you missed Giving Tuesday and would still like to donate, there are ongoing efforts to support our students. Your gift to Rams Against Hunger will still make a tremendous difference.