Campus Cupboard at MoWest helps students stay fed and focused through tough times
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- College can be stressful enough — classes, exams and everything in between. For some students at Missouri Western State University, there’s an added worry: not having enough food or basic necessities.
That’s where the Campus Cupboard steps in.
Tucked inside the Dean of Students Office under the Division of Student Affairs, the Campus Cupboard has been serving MoWest students since 2015.
The Cupboard is stocked with frozen food, canned goods and hygiene items– essentials to help students get through the week.
Megan DeShon-Runge, MoWest's director of student activities and engagement, said the Cupboard has become an important resource to bridge the gap for students facing food insecurity.
She said she's noticed an increase in students using the cupboard this year — a trend likely tied to recent reductions in SNAP benefits that have impacted many families.
“We have seen a lot more frequent visits to the cupboard. They can take 10 pounds of stuff, per visit, twice a month. Everything goes into one bag and will get weighed,” DeShon-Runge said.
DeShon-Runge emphasized how important the Campus Cupboard has become — especially now, as many students are reaching a point in the semester when dining dollars or meal plans start running low.
She said it’s easy for students to access the cupboard. All they need to do is show their student ID and sign in so staff can keep track of visits and items taken.
“All of the information is taken down and put into our database so we know how many students are visiting and how many pounds are being taken, so it helps us budget and keep track of it,” Runge said.
Student worker Morgan Saavedra said she started at the Campus Cupboard back in January, and the job quickly became personal for her. She shared that the mission hits close to home because she knows what it’s like to face financial struggles.
Saavedra added, most of the food items available are canned or pre-packaged, making them easy to prepare — usually with just a stove or microwave.
“I think having this has made students feel more relaxed, just so they don’t have to worry too much about buying food or groceries and concentrate more on their school work and be more at ease,” Saavedra said.
Saavedra shared that growing up reliant on food stamps often made life financially uncertain, which is why working at a place like the Campus Cupboard feels especially meaningful to her.
“We provide basic stuff to students just to kind of get them through the end of that next paycheck or month when times can be a little rough,” Saavedra added.
Saavedra hopes to keep the cupboard fully stocked so more students can use it and learn about the support it offers.
