A new campus initiative designed to combat food insecurity kicks off Aug. 12 with a collection of non-perishable food items.
The Cal U Cupboard is a student food pantry based in the Natali Student Center.
Food pantries are in operation at colleges and universities across the country, where students on tight budgets may experience food insecurity — defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a lack of consistent access to adequate food for at least some time throughout a given year.
“We haven’t done a formal study,” says Diane Hasbrouck, director of Volunteer Programs and Service Learning at Cal U.
“We don’t think it’s a widespread problem, but we’ve heard anecdotally that students sometimes need assistance. We’re here to help.”
VPSL staff will monitor the pantry and gather data on how often it’s used during the academic year. That information will inform future planning, Hasbrouck says.
Fill the Cupboard
The Cal U Cupboard initiative kicks off with a campus-wide collection on Aug. 12. Faculty and staff are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to work; staff and students will pick them up from University offices.
Donations of food, as well as monetary support, will be accepted throughout the semester.
Learn more
For information about the Aug. 12 food drive or the Cal U Cupboard, contact Diane Hasbrouck at Hasbrouck_d@calu.edu or call the Volunteer Programs and Service Learning office at 724-938-4794.