Skip to main content

Chick-fil-A Contributes to UTEP’s Student Emergency Fund

Last Updated on July 20, 2021 at 12:00 AM

Originally published July 20, 2021

By Darlene Barajas

UTEP Communications

The University of Texas at El Paso’s Student Emergency Fund was bolstered by a $12,216 gift from Chick-fil-A presented Friday, July 16, 2021, during a ceremony at Centennial Plaza.

The University of Texas at El Paso’s Student Emergency Fund was bolstered by a $12,215 gift from Chick-fil-A presented Friday, July 16, 2021, during a ceremony at Centennial Plaza. The money was collected during the restaurant’s Cookies for a Cause campaign in April 2021. Taking part in the ceremony were, from left, Jake Logan, vice president for institutional advancement at UTEP;  Carlos Chavez, UTEP Student Government Association (SGA) senate majority leader/senator-at-large; Anthony Martinez, Chick-fil-A operator; Carlos Mora, SGA senator-at-large; Sergio Denver Chavez, Chick-fil-A operator; Kimberly Sanchez, SGA senator-at-large; Marc Zayas, Chick-fil-A operator; Armand Avila, SGA vice president for external affairs; and Edgar Ortega, Chick-fil-A operator. Photo: Laura Trejo / UTEP Communications
The University of Texas at El Paso’s Student Emergency Fund was bolstered by a $12,215 gift from Chick-fil-A presented Friday, July 16, 2021, during a ceremony at Centennial Plaza. The money was collected during the restaurant’s Cookies for a Cause campaign in April 2021. Taking part in the ceremony were, from left, Jake Logan, vice president for institutional advancement at UTEP; Carlos Chavez, UTEP Student Government Association (SGA) senate majority leader/senator-at-large; Anthony Martinez, Chick-fil-A operator; Carlos Mora, SGA senator-at-large; Sergio Denver Chavez, Chick-fil-A operator; Kimberly Sanchez, SGA senator-at-large; Marc Zayas, Chick-fil-A operator; Armand Avila, SGA vice president for external affairs; and Edgar Ortega, Chick-fil-A operator. Photo: Laura Trejo / UTEP Communications

The money was collected during the restaurant’s Cookies for a Cause campaign in April 2021 and will assist UTEP students with timely financial support to help keep them on track toward academic success.

“Partnerships like these help provide opportunities to support the Student Emergency Fund and assist students who face unexpected challenges that could impact the momentum of their academic progress,” said Jake Logan, vice president for institutional advancement. “This assistance makes a big difference in our students’ lives and futures as they enter the professional world.”

The Student Emergency Fund is a vital source of financial support for students who have experienced an unforeseen expense, event or circumstance that could cause a loss of momentum toward their academic pursuits. This was evident during the past 16 months as the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented disruptions in campus life. As such, the Student Emergency Fund, which is entirely supported by charitable donations, was utilized heavily throughout the pandemic to meet students’ time-sensitive needs. UTEP relies on support from the public and businesses to replenish the fund.

“COVID-19 has been something that affected the student body both academically and financially,” said Carlos Mora, a senator-at-large in the Student Government Association. “This funding is very helpful and we are grateful to the Chick-fil-A corporation for this donation.”

Through December 2020, the Student Emergency Fund had provided nearly $73,000 to 191 Miners. The money helped pay for housing, utilities, groceries, technology needs, medical bills, textbooks and school supplies, and more.

“I think this award is really great for our University,” said Kimberly Sanchez, SGA senator-at-large. “It provides an outlet for many students who are going through a lot of hardships during this time. As we are still coming out of COVID-19, this will help assist students who are very much in need of assistance.”

To learn more about giving to the UTEP Student Emergency Fund visit: https://pickaproject.utep.edu/project/20528