By Kelsey Keller, Jordon Lawrenz & Brock Mackinnis
Serving UWGB for the Last 11 years
The Campus Cupboard has been helping students at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (UWGB) for the last 11 years. The Campus Cupboard is a student-run organization that provides a food pantry, clothing closet, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene products to ensure the basic needs of all students, staff, and faculty are met.
The Campus Cupboard was founded by the Pride Center 11 years ago in response to the needs of transgender students who had been kicked out of their homes. 10 years ago, it expanded to all students, faculty, and staff. It was originally located where the Green Bay Grill is now (lower level of the University Union) and consisted of two shelves. About 8 years ago, the Campus Cupboard and Clothes Closet moved to Rose Hall Room 140 and has been there since, except during COVID-19. During the pandemic, it was moved to housing since Rose Hall was closed.
The entrance of the Campus Cupboard and Clothes Closet. It is located in Rose Hall, Room 140. Photo taken by: Jordon Lawrenz
Rose Hall is one of the smallest academic buildings on campus, with less foot traffic than other buildings, such as Mary Ann Cofrin Hall. Stacie Christian, Campus Cupboard and Closet advisor, says the location of the Cupboard makes those who use it more comfortable because “it is in a location where people can go in with fewer people watching.” Christian says that folks can come to the Cupboard and Closet at any time during open hours – Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – with no strings attached. There is not always a student worker or volunteer available, but as long as they go during open hours. Students can use the Cupboard even if no one is there. Users must swipe their university-issued ID upon entering. This is for the sole purpose of counting, and identities are kept anonymous. To make people feel more comfortable, Christian says that “no further questions are asked” about use or situation if there happens to be a worker there.
A view of some of the items offered when first entering the Cupboard. Some pantry staples available include cereal, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, and rice.
Photo taken by: Kelsey Keller
Students are allowed to take one bag of clothing and/or food per month. Two bags a month are allowed, though Christian says most do not even fill one. “If they have family members, it is expected and okay if they take more.” The Campus Cupboard offers a variety of food items, including meat, dairy, pantry staples, and even vegan and vegetarian options. They provide an array of clothing options as well, including professional wear.
A portion of the many clothes available for students, staff, and faculty to take. Photo taken by: Kelsey Keller
Christian says that the items are either donated or bought through “donations via employee paycheck deductions, community groups, and philanthropic foundations.” During their busiest time of the year, mid to late fall semester and mid to late spring semester, Segregated University Fee Allocation Committee (SUFAC) provides funding when the Cupboard runs very low on food.
Photo of a $7,500 donation from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). This is the largest monetary donation the Campus Cupboard has ever seen.
Photo taken by: Kelsey Keller
Students, staff, faculty, and community members can donate their time and/or clothing, food, cleaning, and hygiene items to the Cupboard. Christian says at the moment, they are in of “cleaning supplies, meat, muffin mixes, sides, vegetarian soups, pasta, rice, spaghetti sauce, and pasta. Donations can be made directly at the Campus Cupboard. For volunteer inquiries and off-campus donors: bring donations to the Pride Center in the University Union Room 153 or email sofoodpantry@uwgb.edu to schedule a drop-off time.