Dining for Dollars Provides Financial Support for Vulnerable WSU Students
OGDEN, Utah – Sonora Grill in downtown Ogden will host its unique and tasty fundraiser, Dining for Dollars, March 15-23 to benefit Weber State University’s Oportunidad Scholarship Fund.
Sonora Grill will once again donate to help support first-generation or low-income students. The money also helps undocumented students, who are ineligible for financial assistance such as Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), grants or loans.
“A whole group of students have graduated from local Utah high schools who don’t qualify for financial aid,” said Steve Ballard, owner of Sonora Grill. “Many of them would have won or qualified for academic or other scholarships, but because they don’t live in the state, or because they don’t have residency, they don’t qualify for these scholarships. The university can’t do much; the government can’t do a lot, so they’re this group of forgotten students in the middle.”
This will be the eighth year Sonora Grill hosts their Dining for Dollars event. Enrique Romo, WSU’s assistant vice president for Student Affairs, Access & Diversity, said the Oportunidad Scholarship provides much-needed support to students who want nothing more than to fully realize their academic potential at the university, despite the obstacles they face daily.
“When it comes to education, a person’s citizenship status should not matter,” Romo said. “Everyone deserves a chance at higher education, and thanks to the Oportunidad Scholarship and to Sonora Grill, their future looks a lot brighter. By giving students the opportunity to get a college education, they will contribute with their skills, knowledge and talent, so collectively, we all can benefit. Education is an engine for mobility — by donating we are helping to create the next generation of informed and committed world citizens. It's a win-win for us all.
Over the previous years, Dining For Dollars has contributed more than $193,000 to the scholarship fund.
“One of my personal philosophies is that I’ve always felt for every dollar you invest in your business, you should have $10 invested in your community,” Ballard said. “That’s how I look at this scholarship. It is my way of investing in the community, and it will indirectly come back and support my business, which I feel like we’ve proved it has.”
Those wanting to support Weber State students can dine-in at Sonora Grill, order to-go at 801-393-1999 or thesonoragrill.com. or donate directly to weber.edu/Dining4Dollars.
Sonora Grill is located at 2310 S. Kiesel Ave., Ogden.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Jordan Wise, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • jordanwise@weber.edu- Contact:
Kyle Braithwaite, WSU Advancement
801-626-6073 • kylebraithwaite@weber.eduEnrique Romo, Access & Diversity assistant vice president
801-626-6132 • enriqueromo@weber.edu