The Carolina Cupboard is an on-campus food pantry that provides all Tar Heel students with food and supplies at no cost. Located in the Student and Academic Services Building North, on the first floor in room 1221, the cupboard provides supplies to students who are food insecure, whether or not they qualify for SNAP or other food-assistance programs.
Carolina Cupboard is a part of the Carolina Food Pantry Network, a system of food pantries across campus working to provide students access to nutritious food.
The Pantry Bowl is an annual friendly competition between NC State and Carolina to fundraise for their on-campus food pantries. This year’s Pantry Bowl is Nov. 24 – Dec. 1, 2024, coinciding with the Nov. 26 game between the Tar Heels and the Wolfpack. Learn more about the Pantry Bowl at pantrybowl.com.
Kennedy Williams ’25, president of the Carolina Cupboard, for the 2024-2025 school year discusses food insecurity on campus, the Pantry Bowl and how the cupboard is working to help Tar Heel students.
What’s your favorite part of Pantry Bowl?
The week of the Pantry Bowl, when we see people from different companies, families and alumni give to support our on-campus food pantries, is my favorite part. It’s so heartwarming to witness the community supporting the cupboard’s effort to alleviate food insecurity.
How did Carolina Cupboard use the funds raised from last year’s Pantry Bowl?
The Carolina Cupboard was consistently able to place larger grocery orders, including a wider variety of perishable and non-perishable items. Additionally, we were able to include more fresh produce and increase our household items purchases, like laundry detergent, dish detergent, utensils and more.
Why is it important to provide Carolina Cupboard’s resources to students?
Overall patron visits increased last year, with us assisting in over 700 visits to the pantry. It’s crucial for us to provide these resources. No one should have to worry about where their next meal will come from. Being a student involves juggling numerous responsibilities, and food insecurity should not be one of them.
Where do you hope the cupboard goes from here?
I hope the cupboard continues to grow as a pantry and continues to host events to educate the Carolina community on food insecurity and combat the stigmas surrounding food insecurity through community education events like the Pantry Bowl. I’m so excited to see what the next year will look like for the cupboard.
What has being the president of Carolina Cupboard meant to you?
Being president of the Carolina Cupboard has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. Starting as a shift leader helped me understand the pantry’s operations, and later serving as co-manager of donations and volunteers gave me insight into the behind-the-scenes work necessary to keep the pantry well-staffed and stocked. Each of these leadership roles prepared me for the significant responsibility of being president of such an impactful organization. This position allows me to advocate for our patrons and spread the cupboard’s message. I take great pride in serving this organization, which has taught me the importance of compassion and selflessness. I will cherish my time in this role for years to come.
What do you wish the Carolina community knew about the Carolina Cupboard?
I wish every member knew that the cupboard is not only a place to provide food assistance but a place where you can get many different items. Some of those items include: pots and pans, diapers, baby food, hair care products, menstruation products, UNC blue books and school supplies. Our goal is not only to address food insecurity but basic needs as a whole.
What’s one thing you’d say to someone who might currently feel the stigma around food insecurity but would like to use the Carolina Cupboard?
You are not alone! We are willing to make necessary accommodations to ensure that you are able to utilize the pantry’s resources. If this means emailing us a list of items to set aside for you and placing the bag in a discreet location, we will do. Or we can schedule an appointment when the building is less frequented or outside of our walk-in hours. The cupboard’s mission is to ensure that no Tar Heel goes hungry. We are here for you!
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