Springfield, Ohio 鈥� Two years after a new initiative called the Campus Cupboard was introduced to the Wittenberg community, an expansion is complete.
According to Daniel Jacob, deacon/chapel ministry associate, 鈥渢he Campus Cupboard is Wittenberg鈥檚 effort to address food insecurities among students by providing free, fresh, and shelf-stable foods, as well as basic personal hygiene items in a convenient and timely manner.鈥� The original Campus Cupboard is located in the lower level of Weaver Chapel, but the space has not been large enough to meet demand.
Recognizing the space issues, Wittenberg鈥檚 Office of the Pastor worked with the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement to create a new and expanded space set to be unveiled with a Virtual Grand Opening later today, Oct. 1. The new space is located at 721 North Fountain Ave. and may be entered from the same back porch as the Hagen Center.
鈥淭he staff and volunteers of the cupboard are further committed to educating the Wittenberg community about food insecurity on campus and beyond,鈥� Jacob said. 鈥淲e are working toward a time when the stigma around hunger is no longer an obstacle for students seeking the help they need.
鈥淲e hope that Wittenberg鈥檚 commitment to overcoming hunger will even flow beyond the confines of our campus and benefit the wider Springfield community by lifting up efforts to meet individual needs, alleviate food deserts, and address the underlying causes of hunger.鈥�
The new location of the Campus Cupboard space will open to students beginning Tuesday, Oct. 6. Hours of operation will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. In addition, the original small cupboard in Weaver Chapel will be open weekly from 9-5 p.m. Sunday through Friday.
Learn more about the Campus Cupboard and how to donate items or volunteer to keep the shelves stocked at /administration/chapel/campus-cupboard.
