Photo courtesy of UCSB First

Photo courtesy of UCSB First

UCSB First will host Food Truck Cinema tomorrow at 7:30p.m. on the UCen Lawn to advocate student donation to the university after graduation.

Food Truck Cinema will provide food to attendees from local food trucks The Burger Bus and Georgia’s Smokehouse, as well as a screening of the film “Anchorman.” UCSB First is a student-run committee sponsored by the UC Santa Barbara Foundation charged with encouraging alumni to donate to the university, and one of its responsibilities is to host campus-related events for seniors throughout the year.

According to UCSB First co-chair and fourth-year political science and communication major Jessica Fenton, this is the first year UCSB First has hosted an event featuring free food truck eats and a film.

UCSB First co-chair and fourth-year political science and film studies double major Anne Hamner said UCSB First started Food Truck Cinema to get students more interested in the University in hopes of making them more likely donate as alumni. Hamner said philanthropy is essential to helping raise UCSB’s national ranking.

“We really encourage students to give back to the school once they graduate,” Hamner said. “Even if a student gives one dollar or five dollars, it ups our ranking because it shows alumni involvement.”

According to Fenton, UCSB First will also use Food Truck Cinema as a platform to announce the senior class gift, which was voted upon by members of this year’s senior class. The winning result, Fenton said, will determine which of three options on the ballot will have a fund opened on its behalf at the end of the school year: Associated Students Food Bank, A.S. Academic Resource Fund or the Student Safety Enhancement Fund.

“[A senior class gift] is an opportunity for seniors to create a legacy and stay connected with their alma mater,” Fenton said. “UC Santa Barbara is a strong community, and giving to this gift demonstrates our firm belief in Gauchos helping Gauchos.”

UCSB First is also partnering with the Associate Students Food Bank by recommending that attendees bring canned food donations to the event, according to A.S. Food Bank coordinator and alumna Tuyen Nguyen.

Nguyen also said 10 percent of the proceeds from the food trucks will also go to A.S. Food Bank.

“If there is something in the back of your pantry that you are willing and able to part with, it could always be used to help other students who utilize our pantry,” Nguyen said. “We also encourage [buying food] in whatever capacity people can engage and be able to give back.”

Food Truck Cinema, Fenton said, will also be hosting tabling from various student organizations like Dance Marathon, Active Minds, DJ Club and the Education Abroad Program.

“We’re just trying to provide more fun things for students to do,” Fenton said. “This is an opportunity for students to learn more about their campus and where they can get involved in.”

According to Hamner, deciding what movie to screen was a difficult decision due to factors like appropriateness and popularity.

“It actually took such a long time to pick a movie because we wanted to do a film that everyone would like and be able to relate to,” Hamner said.

In the end, “Anchorman” was the right choice, according to Fenton.

“We thought it was a fun movie and kind of nostalgic to most people,” Fenton said. “Plus everyone loves Will Ferrell.”

[Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the event would provide free food to attendees. That is incorrect, food will be sold. The article has been updated accordingly.]

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