Giving Tuesday is a global movement to promote generosity and giving in the winter holiday season often associated with indulgence and shopping.

The event, started in 2012, is five days after Thanksgiving (Tuesday, Nov. 29), often goes by the hashtag #GivingTuesday, and has been joined by many organizations and corporations.

CSUMB is participating and is directing donations to its Basic Needs Initiative, which provides nutrition, groceries, and emergency funds for students. Having those basic needs met directly impacts academic performance, mental and physical health, and well-being.

Joanna Snawder-Manzo is the care manager for Basic Needs.

“Basic Needs supports students with physical resources, such as food, and also strives to empower students to be their own best advocates,” Snawder-Manzo says. “We are invested in their holistic success as a student and see our services to be a part of the range of support offered to students.”

They are accepting donations of money, non-perishable food, and clothing today for #GivingTuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and online until midnight for the campaign. Their goal is to get 75 donations.

“Whatever people are able to do, from $5 up to $250,” Snawder-Manzo says. “We know people are strapped, it’s a recession, food is more expensive.”

With cash, the Basic Needs team can purchase food from the Food Bank for Monterey County or buy student-friendly food from Costco, or utilize CalFresh.

“CalFresh, which Basic Needs can help students apply for, is great because it provides a sense of food security that also allows students to be independent. It can also promote healthy eating while trying new meals and recipes,” says Molly Leach, Liberal Studies ’24.

After #GivingTuesday, people can drop off donations to Basic Needs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Visit the giving page to donate to Basic Needs.