There are some on-campus resources that virtually everyone knows about.
For example, most students know that Passan Hall houses the counseling and health centers. However, there are plenty of resources on campus that even seniors may not know about. Two of these resources are tucked away in the back of the Career Center and are known as the Colonel Closet and the Colonel Cupboard.
Catie Becker, the director of civic engagement, explains that the Colonel Cupboard is “…an on-campus food pantry that offers grocery items, refrigerated and frozen items and grab and go snacks.”
The food comes from the CEO Food Bank in Pittston. The produce pop ups that appear several times a semester in the Student Union Building (SUB) concourse are supplied and hosted by the Colonel Cupboard.
Ada Soriano, a P1 pharmacy student and Bonner Leader, explained, “the produce pop-up is a Bonner Leader project hosted by the Colonel’s Cupboard…Bonner Leaders assist in handing out the produce.”
Located near the Cupboard is the Colonel Closet.
The director of career services, Carol Bosack, explained that “the Colonel Career Closet provides business casual and business professional clothes that students may take and keep, as needed, for interviews, career fairs or dressing business casual for an internship or job.”
Students can find blazers, slacks, button-ups and anything they might need for a job interview or their first internship.
“It allows students to get groceries for free and not have to worry about when they can have another meal or whether or not they can go to this interview because of their clothing,” said Edweana Alexis, junior political science and communication studies major. “The cupboard and the closet provide a bridge and lessen the stress on a student that is struggling.”
Students’ academic performance may be hindered when they are preoccupied with concerns about their next meal. Based on a 2021 survey, it is projected that food insecurity will impact one out of every three college students in Pennsylvania during their undergraduate studies. e ability to buy new, business-professional attire is not financially feasible for all students.
For those lacking transportation options, visiting the Salvation Army or a thrift store can be unattainable. The convenience of having these essentials readily available outside the SUB is a notable advantage.
“I have utilized both services,” said Soriano. “Although many people know about the produce pop-up, many do not know that there is an option at the cupboard to order online and have your food order dropped off at the post office. It is very convenient when you do not have the time to stop by and look for what you need in person.”
Students do not have to meet any requirements to utilize these services. They are free and available for all students, regardless of financial aid status or meal plans.
“Many students are full-time college students, and full-time college students do not have a job,” said Alexis. “With them not having a job comes the aspect of money and groceries are expensive. I believe things like the Cupboard or the Closet are important because groceries are expensive and college kids do not have a lot of money to purchase $200 or $300 worth of groceries every two weeks.”
The Colonel Cupboard and Closet are housed in the Career Center, outside the Henry Student Center. Students can enter through the main doors and walk to the back, or enter through the door located along the sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot. Both are on the first floor, so there are no accessibility concerns. All students need is their student ID and a bag to carry their food.
“My school offered something small like this, primarily for dry goods and snacks,” said Becker. ” The treats once in a while were nice but it would have been awesome to have something more reliable, especially for those times between paychecks.”
There is a Google form students fill out to order their groceries from the Cupboard. The Colonel Closet is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and the Colonel Cupboard is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Produce pop-ups will be held regularly throughout the semester, on Sept. 13, Oct. 18 and Nov. 29 during club hours in the first floor of the SUB.