Longtime corporate partner GM Financial has made a meaningful contribution to support UT San Antonio students experiencing food insecurity. The donation comes just in time for Thanksgiving Day.
The auto loan maker recently donated $3,500 to the Roadrunner Pantry to purchase Thanksgiving meal kits for students in need.
The donation comes at a time of rising demand for basic needs support, including access to adequate food. Nearly 300 Roadrunners rely on the Roadrunner Pantry for daily sustenance, reflecting the increasing challenges faced by students balancing coursework, work schedules and financial strain.
“The demand for basic needs support continues to rise and this donation came at exactly the right time,” said Zach Marcotte, program manager for the university’s food pantries. “For many students, receiving a Thanksgiving meal kit meant being able to celebrate a holiday they might have otherwise missed.”
Fort Worth-based GM Financial is a key sponsor of the University Career Center and recently expressed interest in exploring new ways to support UT San Antonio students. During a recent visit to the university, the company’s representatives toured the Roadrunner Pantry and were stunned by the level of need.
With the support of six GM Financial volunteers, on Nov. 20, the pantry distributed 300 meal kits during a holiday food distribution event. Several company employees are UT San Antonio alumni, including Leo Haynes ’18, assistant vice president for consumer servicing at GM Financial.
“When we learned about the level of need at the pantry, it was clear that we had an opportunity to make a meaningful difference,” Haynes said. “At GM Financial, it’s one of our core values to invest in the communities where we live and work and supporting UT San Antonio students is an extension of that commitment.”
GM Financial’s support shows the effective role of corporate partnerships in addressing both long-term and immediate needs within the university community. It also demonstrates how collaborations centered on student success extend beyond the classroom.
“GM Financial continues to demonstrate what it means to be a true partner in student success,” said Mario Vela, assistant vice provost for career-engaged learning and executive director of the University Career Center. “Their willingness to step in and support our students in such a thoughtful way shows how deeply they are committed to the Roadrunner community.”
GM Financial’s support of UT San Antonio extends to other parts of the university.
The company has been a corporate sponsor of the University Career Center since 2018, the year after it opened an office in San Antonio. The company actively recruits the university’s students and alumni, and partners on career development programming that prepares students to excel in their future careers.
In 2024, the company funded the creation of the GM Financial Career Lab, a dedicated space within the University Career Center that helps Roadrunners explore career pathways, meet with employers and strengthen their professional skills.
The Roadrunner Pantry is supported by many generous donors.
Earlier this year, local philanthropist Harvey Najim donated $1.25 million to the San Antonio Food Bank, enabling the pantry to hold monthly mobile distributions where UT San Antonio students can obtain fresh food at no cost.
Earlier this fall, nearly 2,000 donors contributed over $28,600 during the second annual Huddle Against Hunger competition. UT San Antonio won first place for having the most donors and received an additional $15,000 from Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union to support the food pantries.
Ongoing support also comes from regular contributions and donations from the Roadrunner community, including pledges through the State Employee Charitable Contribution campaign and regular food drives held across the university.
