The fall semester was the busiest yet at Cats’ Cupboard. On average, one visitor used the food pantry every 12 minutes the space was open. The record for most visits in one day was set on Dec. 2 with 66 student visits.
In an end-of-semester survey, Cats’ Cupboard visitors were asked to share what the food pantry meant in their lives. Nearly 55% of respondents said they’d considered leaving K-State due to financial challenges, and 95% said utilizing Cats’ Cupboard decreased their level of financial stress.
Comments such as these were equally compelling:
“I have two jobs, both at 20 hours a week, while maintaining a good academic standing, while trying to get involved on campus… On top of that, rent, tuition, and food are constantly on my mind… The Cats’ Cupboard eases part of that worry. Seriously, it’s such an incredible organization to have at K-State.”
“Cats’ Cupboard has removed the fear of ‘where will I go next’ at my lowest points in college. There’s never any shame in showing up and choosing the things I need.”
While usage has not slowed down during the spring semester, donations have. After the winter holidays, giving to Cats’ Cupboard dips in January and February. If you’d like to support K-Staters by providing basic needs to those under financial stress, the food pantry accepts both in-kind and financial donations.
In-kind donations of non-perishable food and hygiene supplies go directly onto the shelves. If you can’t make it to campus to drop them off in person, donations can be purchased and shipped to the pantry via the Cat’s Cupboard Amazon Wish List. Simply visit bit.ly/donatecats online. Please choose the “Gift” option and include your contact information.
Financial donations are used for a small percentage of operating costs and to purchase food from Harvesters, regional food bank that distributes to area food pantries and community kitchens for a relatively low holding cost. If you’d prefer to make a financial contribution, visit k-state.edu/cats-cupboard and click the “Support Us” button on the right-hand side of the page.
To learn more about Cats’ Cupboard, contact Sarah McGreer Hoyt, Operations Lead, at shoyt@ksu.edu or 785-532-0366.
Submission by guest contributor Sarah McGreer Hoyt, Cats’ Cupboard Operations Lead