UC Santa Cruz Holiday Food Drive Exceeds $200,000 Goal

UC Santa Cruz has successfully concluded its Holiday Food and Fund Drive (HFFD), exceeding its fundraising goal and generating a total of over $200,000. The drive, which wrapped up on January 5, 2026, received substantial support from students, faculty, and staff, who collectively raised $50,000, triggering a matching gift of $100,000 from benefactors Tibi McCann and Eric Jensen.

Record Contributions Boost HFFD Initiative

The impressive outcome is further augmented by an anonymous donor who contributed $150,000, marking the largest single donation in the history of the HFFD at UC Santa Cruz. The additional funds have sparked enthusiasm across the campus, encouraging more members of the community to participate in charitable activities.

In a message to the UC Santa Cruz community, the Holiday Food and Fund Drive Team expressed gratitude for the collective effort, noting that the community’s generosity has greatly impacted local food assistance initiatives. The team highlighted that every contribution helps to “feed hope” among those in need.

Encouraging Future Contributions and Community Engagement

To foster continued engagement, the team invited ideas for new fundraising activities. Suggestions included organizing a holiday raffle, hosting a bake sale, or collaborating with local businesses for fundraiser nights. The aim is to leverage the community’s creativity and strengths to support the HFFD.

For individuals or families requiring food assistance, UC Santa Cruz has provided resources accessible through their dedicated web page. The aim is to ensure that all community members can participate in both the giving and receiving aspects of this initiative.

The Holiday Food and Fund Drive Team expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support, emphasizing that each individual’s contribution plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity. “We all did a great job this year!” they stated, reinforcing the importance of community involvement in such initiatives.

As the new year begins, UC Santa Cruz looks forward to building on this momentum and continuing to inspire generosity among its faculty, staff, and students. Those interested in contributing or sharing ideas for future events are encouraged to reach out via email at [email protected].