The CARA AMIGA specific scholarship initiative arose in 2011, with the aim of obtaining food scholarships for economically vulnerable students. Today the CARA AMIGA model has been perfected through the management and signing of a specific agreement with the tenants of the institution's cafeterias, getting each grantee to finance a specific number of scholarships to support students. The institution currently has 64 cafeterias. In 2022, a management strategy was designed to negotiate specific agreements with each cafeteria concessionaire, obtaining 172 food scholarships. Each scholarship amounted to $279 USD and 172 students benefited with a daily meal, for an amount of $48,000.00.
From the Judges
The team was impressed with the way the university leveraged its relationships with vendors to assist vulnerable students with meals. This allowed them to leverage cash donations and in-kind donations toward their goal. Good use of stewardship kits for donors.
