Community Cupboard

How It Works

The Community Cupboard provides non-perishable food items, grocery store gift cards, and Ullman Commons guest meals to any current Cal Lutheran student who may need additional support.

We ask nothing of students in return, except that you take only what you need and leave the rest for others.

Come as you are.

Take what you need.

Location: Samuelson Chapel, Lounge
Hours: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week — please contact Campus Safety for assistance

Swipe Out Hunger Program

Sodexo, Swipe Out Hunger, and Cal Lutheran have partnered to fight food insecurity by creating a Meal Swipe Bank for food insecure students.

How can students access meals offered through the program?

Students may request meal swipes by submitting a Meal Request form. Upon submitting the form, meal swipes are distributed to student ID cards, and meals can be redeemed by swiping in at Ullman Commons as "Guest Meals."

Swipe Out Hunger

When do meal swipes become available?

It may take up to 48 hours (M-F) for Guest Meals to be added to student ID cards. Once meals have been added, students receive a confirmation email.

Submit Meal Request

 

Calling all staff, faculty, and community members!

Would you like to support the Community Cupboard?

 

Here's how you can help:
  • Host a food drive on campus or within the community. Campus Ministry would love to assist you in setting one up — email James Esparza to learn more. 
  • Share ideas for community partnerships (e.g., food banks, local farms) with the Campus Ministry team.
  • Sponsor a starter kit for our Community Cupboard. Starter kits provide students with basic kitchen items to support nutritious, homemade meals. Kits include: a pot, spatula, can opener, sponge, dishsoap, a measuring cup, and a dishtowel. $25 covers the cost of a starter kit for a student in need. 
  • Sponsor a batch of Trader Joe's gift cards. On average each week, the Community Cupboard distributes approximately 15-20 gift cards valued at $10, to subsidize the rising cost of food for those who many need extra assistance. This totals over $600 per month in gift card funding. Consider sponsoring a batch total of your choosing for our Trader Joe's gift card program.
  • Help us stock the shelves — we are constantly re-stocking! Whether it's through item donations or monetary support to go toward restocking, every bit helps and is very much appreciated. 
  • Check out our Amazon Wishlist.

If your gift is meant for a specific area of support (e.g., gift cards, starter kits), please indicate which area in the "Leave a Comment" section.

Questions?

Got questions about the Community Cupboard, Swipe Out Hunger, or donating to these programs?
Please contact us at campusministry@callutheran.edu

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