The on-campus food pantry at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is called “Campus Cupboard.”

The pantry is located at 413 Brook Avenue.  It’s housed inside the Intensive English Language building.

UL Lafayette Professor Dr. Pearson chaired the planning committee. “We started in November of 2017 and it took until November of 2018 to get it up and running,” Cross said.

Dr. Cross explains that they heard about the deal from other schools with pantries. “So we got the bright idea that maybe there are some students at UL who are also having issues with food insecurity. That’s what led to us thinking about starting a cupboard here,” Cross added.

Cross says students often have to decide whether to put food in their stomachs or gas in the car to get to class. He says the pantry has helped over a hundred people on campus.

“Part of what we’re trying to do is continue to get the word out to the students, to the staff and even to faculty who may for whatever reason need help.”

Cross notes thta the food pantry is stocked by food-drives held at local businesses and agencies. Plus, they have a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank willing to provide food and support when supply is low.

“Once every week or two we have people at different organizations who will do a drive; and then they bring us the food.  It’s keeping us going,” Dr. Cross said.

Campus Cupboard is open twice weekly: Tuesdays from 2-5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays.

Learn more here.