Shawn's Cupboard opens for fall semester

Eastern volunteer for Shawn's Cupboard in 2019.

Eastern Connecticut State University has reopened Shawn’s Cupboard for the fall semester. The on-campus food pantry is in the Knight House behind Winthrop Hall. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, students must make appointments to visit the pantry, and those donating food must follow the inventory list.

Staffed by volunteers from the People Helping People student club and Professor Patrick Vitale's Geography of Food class, Shawn’s Cupboard is operated totally by students. With many Eastern students struggling with food insecurity, Shawn’s Cupboard provides students with a free and regular supply of food.

According to the cupboard’s mission statement, “students who have enough to eat every day are more likely to remain in school and perform at their best.” Within the first week of reopening, 25 students made appointments. Eastern also offers a Swipe it Forward program, in which students can receive five free meals from Hurley Dining Hall per semester. Students interested in this program can contact Dean of Students Michelle Delaney at delaneymi@easternct.edu.

Students and staff interested in donating or receiving resources from the cupboard can visit https://www.easternct.edu/campus-ministry/interfaith-campus-ministry.html for inventory lists and appointment scheduling. Questions or concerns can be directed to Professor Vitale at vitalep@easternct.edu.

Written by Molly Boucher

Categories: Student Services