Cupboard photo with fridge

The Cupboard is for students currently experiencing food insecurity, where a financial hardship poses a burden for purchasing food. Please do not use the Cupboard if you are able to purchase your own food, as it will limit our ability to assist students in need. By requesting to use the Cupboard, you indicate there is a significant and temporary financial need that impacts your ability to purchase food.

Overview

The Carleton Cupboard is located in the lower level of the Sayles-Hill Campus Center, room 020 (near KRLX). Its purpose is to provide food to students impacted by food insecurity and unable to purchase their own food during winter and spring breaks. In addition to helping alleviate hunger within the student community, the program aims to reduce the impact food insecurity has on the academic success of Carleton students. The Cupboard will not be open when classes are in session or during summer break.

The Carleton Cupboard is stocked with various items, including canned vegetables, pasta, cereal, fruit, tortillas, milk, eggs, cheese, and bread. All items are free of charge. After the brief registration process, students can utilize the Carleton Cupboard confidentially, as the facility is designed for only one person at a time. A motion-activated red light illuminates above the door in the outer hallway when the Cupboard is occupied, indicating to other students to come back later.

Students who would like to utilize the Cupboard should register using this link. The link is active beginning November 5. First-time users of the Cupboard are required to meet with a member of the Student Activities Office. At this meeting, students will receive additional resources to help address food insecurity and have a chance to preview the Cupboard. Additionally, students will receive a reusable canvas shopping bag and a cooking kit (if needed.) Keep in mind that after this meeting it takes 2-3 business days for Campus Services to program OneCard access. Schedule your appointment accordingly.

Dates & Hours of Operation

  • Winter Break: November 26, 2024 – January 3, 2025. Monday-Friday: 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
  • Spring Break: March 20-28, 2025. Monday-Friday: 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Cooking Kits

Cooking kits are available for check out during Carleton breaks. The kits include pots/pans and basic kitchen supplies. Supplies are limited. The longevity of this program is dependent upon students keeping the items clean and stored in their room when not in use. All kits are due back to SAO the first week of classes after the Cupboard closes. There is no charge for checking out a kit, however a $50 replacement fee will be applied to the student’s account if not returned by the deadline. Those who request a kit will receive additional information about the check-out process.


Carleton Cupboard, 2024
Carleton Cupboard, 2024

Supporting the Cupboard

Food Donations

For those interested in purchasing food for students, there is an Amazon Wishlist with a variety of options. Donors can select what they would like to purchase and it will be mailed directly to our location.

Financial Donations

Make a gift online by credit card, mobile payment, or bank transfer, and select “other” designation then indicate Carleton Cupboard in the text box. This allows us to shop locally and reduce our carbon footprint. To mail a check, use the following mailing address:

Carleton College, ATTN Gift Accounting
1 North College Street
Northfield, MN 55057

Mailed checks should include a note that the gift should go to the Carleton Cupboard. For questions or to speak to someone in the development office, contact Shannon Schulz to get in touch with a development officer.

CUFBA

In April 2018, the Carleton Cupboard joined the College and University Food Bank Alliance (CUFBA). CUFBA is a professional organization consisting of campus-based programs focused on alleviating food insecurity, hunger, and poverty among college and university students in the United States. 

Feedback & Recommendations

The Carleton Cupboard is a fairly new program and continuously evolving. The Student Activities Office (SAO) is interested in feedback from the Carleton Community. You can submit feedback about the program.


Resources For Students

Northfield Community Action Center Food Pantry

Located behind 50 North, Northfield’s Senior Center

1651 Jefferson Pkwy, Suite HS-200
Northfield, MN 55057

The food pantry always offers fresh produce, dairy products, eggs, meat, grains, shelf stable protein, cooking and baking ingredients, and more. Food is available for anyone who needs it up to once per week. Accessible via Hiawathaland Transit (Red Route) at the Senior Center stop. Contact http://info@communityresourcecenter.org.

Northfield Discount Stores

Dollar General— 930 Hwy 3 N. Accessible via Hiawathaland Transit (Blue Route) by request
Clothes Closet— 600 Water St. S. Accessible via Hiawathaland Transit (Blue or Red Route) by request
Dollar Tree— 2350 Bridgewater Parkway Accessible via Hiawathaland Transit (Red Route)


Rides are FREE with a Carleton ID.