Harvey E. Najim Tackles Local Hunger with Major Donation to SA Food Bank

UTSA Food Pantry Harvey Najim Check Presentation 2025
San Antonio, TX – January 29, 2025 – Local philanthropist Harvey E. Najim is taking a bold stand against student hunger at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) with a transformative 10-year partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank. Through a generous seven-figure, multi-year donation, Najim will underwrite the monthly stocking of the UTSA Roadrunner Pantry and fund innovative food supply strategies across UTSA’s campuses.
The partnership, announced today at UTSA’s Main Campus, will provide essential resources for students facing food insecurity, ensuring they can focus on their education without worrying about their next meal. In addition to stocking the Roadrunner Pantry, Najim’s support will introduce new mobile food distributions and expand access to grab-and-go items rescued from local Starbucks stores.
“Harvey Najim is a great champion for students of all ages in our community, and his support for college food security is unprecedented,” said Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. “This initiative will have a lasting impact on thousands of students each year.”
The UTSA Roadrunner Pantry serves as a crucial resource for students struggling to meet their basic needs, offering shelf-stable groceries, fresh produce, and hygiene products. With Najim’s financial backing, the San Antonio Food Bank will be able to enhance its efforts, ensuring that no student has to choose between food and their education.
The event announcing this initiative was held at the UTSA Main Campus, Student Union Second Floor Lobby and featured remarks from prominent community leaders, including:
- Harvey E. Najim, Chairman of the Board, The Najim Charitable Foundation
- Taylor Eighmy, Ph.D., President, The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Eric Cooper, President & CEO, San Antonio Food Bank
- Aydan Villarreal, UTSA Student Government Association President
With student food insecurity on the rise nationwide, Najim’s commitment to this cause is a significant step toward alleviating hunger and fostering student success in San Antonio. This partnership is expected to positively impact thousands of UTSA students each year, reinforcing the university’s mission of providing a supportive environment for academic and professional achievement.
For more information on the UTSA Roadrunner Pantry and the San Antonio Food Bank’s initiatives, visit UTSA.edu or safoodbank.org.