About 350 struggling Fresno City College students will have a better Holiday season; thanks to the College Activities office of FCC and its annual holiday gift baskets. The faculty and staff nominate students who are in need for this holiday season. To qualify, students must be enrolled in two classes and have to be a single head of the household with children. Recepients could be laid off or experiencing hardship.

This year, College Activities is doing something very different from last year; they’re providing the recipients a fifty dollar gift card to Save Mart, where they can purchase grocery for the holiday season. The office will join with Toys for Tots, to provide toys for the recipients who have children.

Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU),ASG, and Faculty & Staff are all donating to this charity. Last year, EECU donated over $ 2,000, while ASG donated over $3,000 for the holiday gift bag. College Activities is also having a dollar drive for the month of November, during which students can drop by the EOPS office or the Student Union to donate a dollar or more for the charity.

“It’s one of the most heart warming charities that is given to FCC students” said ASG President Danielle Valdez. “I was a volunteer last year and will be again this year. Seeing the relief and smiles from these students, knowing that they are not going to be without food for Thanksgiving is one of the moments I will never forget. ASG is proud to be able to give and be a part of this event,” said Valdez.

The Holiday gift baskets started in 1990 with Interim President Dr. Art Ellis; it was created to help students who were facing challenges during that time, helping them out during the holiday season. In the begining, fifty students received the holiday gift baskets in 1990, now it has grown over the past decade to over 350 recipients, and it’s still growing. This year, College Activities goal is to help 350 students.

So far over 325 nominations have been received for the award in December.

” We want it to make it easier for the recipients who receive the gift bag. Many don’t have a vehicle, so this will help them if they have to travel in public transportation or riding their bikes,” said Maile Glover Committee Advisor about the decision to give a gift card.

If you want to donate to the holiday gift bag, ASG will be accepting donation until December 7. A $50 donation covers the whole cost of a Holiday Gift bag. It will include a gift certificate to Save Mart and fruits such as California figs, raisins, candy canes, toothpaste, and much more.

Maile Glover, Committee Advisor said, “Every year, FCC faculty, staff, students and community members step up to support our students in need through generous donation to the holiday gift bag project. On behalf of the committee, I commend everyone for helping FCC give to the greater good of all,”