April 20, 2020
Updated, expanded Cats' Cupboard access begins today
Submitted by Sarah McGreer Hoyt
Cats' Cupboard is expanding operations to serve more K-State students and employees. On March 16, the food pantry implemented an online order system and closed the in-person location in Fairchild Hall. At that time, due to limited grocery supplies and staff, service had to be limited to existing, recent pantry users.
Since then, the staff has refined and improved the online order process, the number of users from week to week has stabilized, and challenges in stocking the shelves have decreased. As a result, all K-Staters who are in need of nonperishable food items are welcome to place an order. Those who would like to receive groceries this week will need to place an order by midnight tomorrow, April 21.
"Our goal all along has been to get to a sustainable place where we can serve those K-Staters in need," said Jean DeDonder, Cats' Cupboard supervisor. "We can access more in our local stores now, and our donors can, too. With the support of those who have stepped up and helped stock our shelves, we're ready to enter this important next phase."
The link to the online order form is available on the Cats' Cupboard website. K-Staters are asked to report family size and other basic information about their household, and then they can select items that best meet their personal needs.
Orders that are placed by midnight on Tuesday, April 21, are available for curbside pick up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Visitors arrive outside the east entrance of Fairchild Hall and call the pantry at 785-532-0366. The order is carried outside and set on a pallet by the door for the visitor to retrieve.
Anyone who is interested in donating to support Cats' Cupboard can email catscupboard@k-state.edu to arrange a drop-off of groceries. In-kind contributions also can be purchased and delivered to campus through the Amazon Wish List, and financial contributions can be made via the KSU Foundation, account C19205.
Additional community resources include the following:
Common Table community meals: Dinner is served seven nights a week in Manhattan. These meals are to-go only. You can find more information on their Facebook page.
The Flint Hills Breadbasket: Operations continue as usual. Hours and services can be found on its website.
Harvesters mobile food deliveries: Mobile food drops are still occurring throughout the community. Find times and locations on its website.