It’s no secret that Salt Lake Community College helps its own in times of need.
One example of such charity is the food pantry known as the Bruin Campus Cupboard. The pantry recently completed a relocation and additional upgrades, with the goal of assisting more students and staff who struggle with food insecurity.
“We are sort of in an evolution; we used to run out of a closet on the second floor,” says pantry coordinator Lisa Mathes, who has been involved with the service since June. “Now with more donations coming in with help from a second food bank, we are hoping to be able to help more of our own students and faculty.”
The move was a big one. Now located across from the Financial Aid office at South City Campus, the pantry has room for more donations, including fresh produce, dairy products such as cheese, and meat. Adding a large refrigerator and freezer was a key element in offering more food options.
Some other requested items are chips, crackers and a new section that has vegetarian and vegan options for students who do not wish to eat meat.
Students who want to use the pantry need to show their student ID as well as fill out an intake form. Each student is allowed to fill two grocery bags every 30 days.
Volunteers stress that the pantry is a judgment-free zone and anyone who needs help can stop by.
The pantry has been open since November of 2013, after a survey showed that students were often going hungry with difficult circumstances. Because the pantry is run by volunteer staff, they are always looking for extra help to stay open for longer hours.
“The least expensive donation you can offer is grocery bags; time would be second,” Mathes says. “If you can even donate an hour of your time to come rotate stock or just come sit at the desk, that would be great.”
Students are invited to come down and check out the pantry, which also has fun board games and coloring books, and see what it has to offer the SLCC community.
For more information on donations and volunteer hours, contact bruincampuscupboard@gmail.com.
