Students at University of California, Irvine left the run-of-the-mill protest signs at home and instead decided to do some charitable work that doubled as a critique of Bernie Sanders’ socialist policies.

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The students pointed to the crisis currently taking place in socialist Venezuela. There are shortages of food, medicine, basic toiletries, and even daily power outages — all caused by the South American nation’s socialist regime. Government workers are only working two days per week due to these power outages, and each city with the exception of the capital is experiencing planned power outages for hours at a time.

“Victims starve and riot in Venezuela thanks to Democratic Socialism, Donate!” read one sign.

“Donate to the Red Cross,” read another.

The students raised $112 for victims of socialism, which they sent to the Red Cross.

The students also reported that some Bernie fans attending the Orange County rally backed away from their support of Sanders once they were confronted with the real-life implications of socialism.

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[lz_infobox]This piece is part of a CampusZette series exploring the culture, oddities, and experiences of students on college campuses through their eyes.[/lz_infobox]

The power outages and resource shortages in Venezuela have wreaked havoc on the nation’s economy. Last year, the Venezuelan economy shrank 5.7 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund, and this year, inflation is expected to increase nearly 500 percent. The IMF forecasts that Venezuela will be in recession until at least 2019.

Coca-Cola recently stopped production in the country due to shortages of sugar. In addition to sugar, the Venezuelan government lacks the revenue to pay for imports of barley, potatoes, and other goods.

These students raised a modest amount for the Red Cross but made a big point — Sanders’ socialist utopian dream has been proven a bust in other parts of the world.