Last week, Penn State and other Big Ten universities joined forces in a fundraising effort to combat student hunger. Penn State raised $126,414, which is a significant portion of the $400,000 total raised by all Big Ten schools.

The fundraiser, known as “One Big Week,” took place from Wednesday, August 31, through Wednesday, September 7. Big Ten schools competed against each other to raise the most money and donate the most gifts.

Penn Staters contributed 2,100 gifts of the 5,900 total.

“Penn Staters continually prove that generosity is truly a part of who we are,” Jenny Daigle Benoit, executive director for annual giving at Penn State, said.

Part of the competition included a head-to-head matchup against Purdue. Each community raced to donate more than the other during a 48-hour period that coincided with Penn State’s 35-31 victory over the Boilermakers. Penn State took another victory, donating 1,217 gifts compared to Purdue’s 877 during that span.

At Penn State, all funds raised benefitted the Tackle Student Hunger Fund, a program that supports food pantries and food security programs at every college and campus across Pennsylvania.

“No student should know hunger, and every student should know that they have the support of the tremendous Penn State community,” Rich Bundy, vice president for development and alumni relations at Penn State, said. “Nothing makes me feel more proud than when Penn Staters show this level of kindness towards each other.”