SCTCC Opens Food Pantry For Students

(KNSI) – A grand opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting for a food pantry on a college campus was held on Wednesday. The Cyclones Cupboard at St. Cloud Technical & Community College has been in the works for more than two years after a survey showed that 44% of SCTCC students were dealing with food insecurity.

Jake Judd (KNSI)

Shortly after the 2019 survey, SCTCC launched the Cyclones Snacks program, which provided grab-and-go items like granola bars and fruit snacks at various locations across campus. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the needs of students increased significantly and school officials decided a centralized location was needed.

SCTCC Director of College Life Shaun Keelui says the Cyclone Cupboard provides more nutrition than a snack.

“These bags of food are over 10 pounds apiece each then they’re much more nutritious the covering proteins starches meals veggies fruits all of that we’re able to get so much more nutrition for the students through these bags.”

He says each bag has enough food and hygiene products to last a student a week. If the student has children or other family members they’re responsible for, they will get more food. Keelui says the Cyclone Cupboard opened in January with the start of the Spring semester.

“We’ve been able to already help over 100 students and almost 1600 pounds of food in that time since spring semester started, so it’s been great to be able to assist them if we can remove one of those non-academic barriers for them then that’s a success to us.”

Jake Judd (KNSI)

By the end of the school year, officials project more than 3,500 pounds of food and more than 900 hygiene products will be donated.

Students can stop by the Cyclone Cupboard or order food online and pick it up later. The campus food pantry was paid for with federal COVID-19 relief dollars, part of the school’s activities budget, and from donations made by staff and community members.

___