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In need of a fulfilling volunteering opportunity over Winter Break? You may want to consider volunteering at the Campus Cupboard located in The Hub, which gives students the opportunity to provide donations and food assistance to fellow students.
The Campus Cupboard staff is composed of work study students, NEXT STEPS AmeriCorps program participants and MU student volunteers. Overall, about 20 – 25 students serve at the Cupboard during each semester. With the holidays approaching, Ed Weber, a campus minister, says they are in need of student volunteers to help with food distribution over winter break.
“We see the opportunity to serve as beneficial to the campus community and culture. It is also another way we can partner with the University by providing service opportunities for professors and classes that assign volunteer service for their students,” said Weber.
“We know that there are a lot of MU students who would benefit from receiving supplement food assistance,” says Weber. He went on to further explain that supplemental food assistance can alleviate the financial burden for many college students, especially for those who live off campus. “It can be a choice between food and other expenses.” Weber wants students to know that the Campus Cupboard is available regardless of the circumstance.
Food and monetary donations are also needed. “Food items are either donated or purchased with financial donations,” according to Weber, “The Campus Cupboard is 100% donor-supported.” Donations are vital especially leading into the holidays as Weber says that the cupboard is running low on many items, especially peanut butter.
Since the Campus Cupboard was established in 2012 as an initiative of the United Campus Ministry and as a collaboration with the University, their mission has always been to relieve food insecurity among college students.
The Campus Cupboard will be open on Fridays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. during the winter break. If students are unable to stop by during this time, they can get in touch with the Campus Cupboard by calling 717-723-9496 or emailing help@campuscupboard.org.
