There is no doubt that this entire year has been full of uncertainty for Americans, especially when it comes to food. Various grocery items have risen in price, and some feel like they’ll never come down. Towards the end of a 43 day government shutdown (the longest in history), many were no longer able to access their SNAP benefits, including over 600,000 Hoosiers.
In Indiana and all across the country, communities have been coming together to survive these uncertain times. IUK’s Cougar Cupboard is one of the many local programs that has provided an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to receive necessities that are not currently accessible to them otherwise.
On Thursday November 21, the Cupboard finished their Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway program. This was the 5th year this program has been available. 95 meals were prepared, and those that were remaining after the giveaway were offered to any student, faculty, or staff. All meals included the ingredients for classic Thanksgiving dishes, including a turkey, stuffing mix, chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and more. Rozzi’s Catering donated many items for this to be possible, including a precooked and seasoned turkey, making it easier for recipients to prepare their main dish.
IUK’s Cougar Cupboard began in 2015, started by the student group Enactus. At some point the ordering process was fully digitized, which became incredibly helpful in a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, two freezers and a refrigerator were donated, allowing for people to receive items like frozen proteins, dairy products, and fresh produce.
Raven Beard is the current Resource Navigator at IUK, and this is her second year in charge of the Cougar Cupboard. She has noticed a change in the demand for resources this fall semester.
“Normally we have more orders placed at the beginning of the semester, and then it sort of fades out. We have our peaks here and there, but this year it has been pretty consistent.”
Although the government shutdown ended on November 12, that does not mean there is less of a need for these resources and community support. Grocery prices are still high, and many are not yet receiving their full SNAP benefits.
As previously stated, the Cougar Cupboard’s resources are available to all students, faculty and staff at IUK. For anyone to access these resources, they will need to create an online account through pantrysoft. It is possible to order through this website once a week. Items are to be picked up from the Student Life Office, room KC120, any weekday between 8 a.m. and 5p.m. This resource will not be available during winter break, but it will open back up at the beginning of the spring semester in 2026.
The Cougar Cupboard is also accepting donations. Any non-perishable items like canned soups, chili, vegetables, fruits, and boxed pasta, are always a great option. If someone wants to make a monetary donation, that can also be a great help. More details on accepted donated items, and instructions on how to access the cupboard’s resources, can be found at The Student Life Center’s page.
If anyone is ever unsure about reaching out for help, people like Welcome Center Associate Tina Robinson hope that they can understand one thing. “I hope students don’t feel shameful about looking for resources we provide, that’s what they are here for.”
