Smoke rose above Crane Stadium Aug. 15.
The Warrensburg Fire Department responded. Shortly after arriving, a small fire was found and extinguished. It would seem this was like many other calls received by WFD.
One thing, however, made this call unique.
The fire was started by a homeless woman who had created an encampment on university property. UCM Public Safety escorted the woman off UCM property, but not before giving her a care package from Campus Cupboard.
Campus Cupboard, located in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, has been helping students, faculty and staff who may otherwise go hungry by providing a food pantry. Occasionally, Campus Cupboard will also help needy people off campus, such as the homeless.
Food insecurity is a problem across the nation, including on university campuses. A study conducted by the Wisconsin HOPE lab found 42 percent of the 40,000 participants on 66 university and community college campuses felt food insecurity.
Beth Rutt, director of the SRWC and Campus Cupboard, said food insecurity can be an issue that impacts a student academically as well as physically and mentally.
“I have gotten phone calls from the Health Center saying ‘Beth, can you bring over some groceries? I’ve got a student who hasn’t eaten for a couple of days,’” Rutt said. “How can you learn and concentrate when you’re hungry and your bottom has dropped out on you? You’re exhausted. You’re not going to be able to sit in a classroom and excel the way you need to.”
The program is needed because not all students can afford food along with other expenditures the typical college student incurs.
“We have students who, by the time they pay their tuition, buy their books, they pay their car payment, car insurance, health insurance, that FAFSA or whatever source of income, it can go pretty quick,” Rutt said. “Then it’s like ‘Food! What am I going to do for food every week?’”
Rutt said a shortage of jobs in the community is a key factor in food insecurity.
“We don’t have enough jobs for everybody. You can say ‘Oh! You just need to get a job,’” Rutt said. “Well, it’s not as easy as just going to get a job.”
Campus Cupboard is operational because of donations and volunteers. The Student Government Association has committed $1,000 per semester, while campus and local community members have donated food and money. The organization also has connections to Harvesters, a large food bank in Kansas City. Student organizations and auxiliaries, such as Greek Life and Sodexo, have also assisted Campus Cupboard with getting food.
Rutt said the cupboard is fairly self-sufficient. There are three staff members paid through SRWC student fees. Other cupboard workers are volunteers.
“The majority of the food is purchased with donations we have received from faculty, staff, students, alums,” Rutt said. “When I go to the Rotary Club, somebody will probably give me a check out of the goodness of their heart.”
While people can donate food items directly as long as it hasn’t been opened or expired, Rutt said she can stretch a dollar by getting canned food items for 43 cents at Harvesters.
Sodexo has assisted Campus Cupboard by donating food and receiving grants and donations for Campus Cupboard. Sodexo USA made it their mission to cut food insecurity by reducing food waste. Sodexo’s food recovery program donated over 2,000 pounds of food to Campus Cupboard, which repackages it before handing it out.
Janet Adams, director for residential dining, said she has been inspired by Rutt’s passion and commitment. Adams has worked at many other universities that have similar programs and organizations. She said she has never seen a program like Campus Cupboard.
“When I was at other universities, we did food recovery that went off campus,” Adams said. “What was so unique about this campus is it stayed on. Instead of sending it out to churches or women shelters — which is still good — here it stays on campus and supports the students and some staff.”
In October 2013, former UCM President Chuck Ambrose gave Rutt and her colleagues the green light to start the program. Rutt said Ambrose personally donated to the cupboard.
Campus Cupboard was one of the first program of its kind in Missouri. Since, other Missouri institutions have modeled their program after Campus Cupboard.
“We were the first one of the state schools in Missouri to have it,” Rutt said. “Since then, I’ve had Mizzou come and visit our pantry. Northwest came and looked at our pantry. I’ve sent stuff to Saint Joe. I’ve had people come from Springfield. Rockhurst was just here a couple of weeks ago to check things out. They’re popping up all over the United States.”
Rutt’s favorite story was about a student who had an unpaid internship. Unable to afford food, he attended the Health Center. Health Center staff called Rutt, but he had slipped out before she arrived. Rutt soon found the student but the student refused to take the food, calling it a handout.
“Don’t consider this a handout. Consider this a handup,” Rutt said she told the student before he took the food.
Campus Cupboard is open every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 3–6 p.m. in the lower level of the SRWC. Donations can be dropped off at the SRWC front counter. Those wishing to volunteer or donate can contact Beth Rutt at [email protected] or call 660-543-4381 for more information.
