By: Emily Childs, Staff Writer
Every day, hundreds of students roam the halls of Immaculata University’s Loyola building, often unaware that a life-changing resource is just down the hall. In room 322, the IU Cares Food Cupboard provides students access to food and other essential items.
During New Student Orientation in August, I had the pleasure of meeting Sister Cathy Nally and Sister Paula Jameson during Community Service Day. A group of us helped organize the IU Cares Food Cupboard and learned of its history and the many people who contribute to its success. A few months later, I sat down with Sister Cathy and Sister Paula to discuss the cupboard’s mission, history, and impact on campus.
In 2018, the IU Cares Food Cupboard publicly debuted on the IU campus. However, efforts to improve food insecurity had been in progress behind the scenes for years prior.
“Before there was an IU Cares Food Cupboard, there were needs, and the community would come together to take care of these needs,” Sister Paula explained.
Although there was no dedicated location on campus for a food cupboard early on, students’ needs were still being met, but on an individual basis.
Sister Cathy, who served as the Executive Director of IU Campus Ministry at the time, recognized the need for a reliable food source at Immaculata.
“As needs came up, we tried to meet them as best we could,” Sister Cathy recalled.
Through the combined efforts of Campus Ministry and the IU community, students experiencing food insecurity were supported and provided with necessary food items.
In 2008, the Great Recession devastated the global economy. Soon after, the financial effects started to filter their way into higher education, causing food insecurity to become a major crisis.
As a result of the rise in food insecurity, college campuses around the country began creating food pantries. The IU Cares Team visited West Chester University and the Chester County Food Bank to learn how they operated their food distribution centers and what items were being offered. From there, the IU Cares Food Cupboard staff began developing their own food pantry and raising awareness around campus.
“It takes a village. It takes Immaculata. It’s not just one person who can get it started,” Sister Cathy said.
She emphasizes that without the IU community, the food cupboard’s success never would have been possible.
Today, the food cupboard continues to rely on donations. Large donation boxes around campus offer students and faculty the opportunity to contribute. Surprisingly, however, the cupboard receives most of its donations from IU alumni.
Sister Paula explained that the cupboard has established an Amazon wishlist, and alumni frequently purchase items from the list to help fill the cupboard’s shelves. Alumni also send checks and gift cards, allowing the IU Cares Team to purchase donation items directly from a grocery store.
This steady process is what keeps the food cupboard stocked. Sister Paula says, “Almost every day I get supplies sent.”
Among the most popular items in the IU Cares Food Cupboard are the snacks and beverages. Gatorade and juice boxes are often the first drinks to go, while Pop-Tarts and chips are the first snacks to leave the shelves.
Students who visit the cupboard but need additional support are encouraged to scan the available QR code and send in a request. The requests are appreciated and help build future shopping lists.
The cupboard also offers a limited supply of personal care items, including body wash and deodorant. However, these items always go quickly, making student feedback even more appreciated.
Facing food insecurity can feel isolating and even embarrassing. This is why the cupboard is fully anonymous and runs through an honor system. Students are free to take whatever food they need without an explanation or identification.
Sister Paula encourages students to “take what they need and leave something for others.”
If students have any questions or need assistance, they can scan the QR code or find faculty nearby.
The IU Cares Food Cupboard’s mission has always been to serve the needs of Immaculata. When students do not have the funds to afford food, the effects go beyond hunger. Food insecurity can harm students’ ability to learn, concentrate, and make the most of their education.
Recognizing these challenges, the IU Cares Team created the food cupboard as a way to meet students’ needs and lessen their worries, allowing them to focus on their studies.
The IU Cares Team hopes the cupboard inspires students to give back. The donations from alumni help to sustain the cupboard and serve as a great example of supporting others when given the opportunity.
The food cupboard is more than just a closet; it represents a community dedicated to helping and caring for its members. This commitment carries a deeper meaning. For those involved with the cupboard, serving others offers an opportunity to “see the face of God.”
