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The Campus Cupboard staff

Campus Cupboard

The Campus Cupboard provides free food and hygiene products to Normandale students.

The Campus Cupboard is a free resource on campus that provides food and hygiene items to any Normandale student. It’s hard to learn when you’re hungry or worried about food so please take advantage of this service, even if you just forgot your lunch today.

Students can come as often as they want and get non-perishable food (food that does not need to be refrigerated), fresh and frozen food, meals on the go and hygiene items.

 

How it works

  • Food: We offer fresh food, frozen groceries and non-perishable food
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Grab-and-Go Meals: We have fresh or frozen meals for students. Students can get unlimited frozen and two fresh meals per week, while supplies last.
  • Clothing

If you are unable to visit campus to use the Campus Cupboard, please see below for additional resources and/or email CampusCupboard@normandale.edu or call 952-358-8309 for assistance finding other food resources.

  1. During your first visit in a semester we ask you to complete a brief first visit form with your name, student ID number, and household demographic info (number of people in your household who are 0-17 years old, 18-64 years old, and 65 years and older). This form gives us information on the demographics of who we serve. The information is confidential and is not shared beyond our nonprofit partner Hope for the Community.
  2. During each visit in a semester you will just provide your student ID number. If you don't know your student ID number we can look this up for you.
  3. We will provide you with grocery bags to use.
  4. You will then select your food and personal hygiene items yourself. If you want meals staff will get these for you.
  5. A staff person will ask for the weight of your food (we have a scale to use).

That's it!

Additional Details

Policies

Some of our food comes from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), therefore, we follow the USDA's Civil Rights non-discrimination policies. This institution is an equal opportunity employer.

Parking

We have one 15-minute reserved parking spot near the Campus Cupboard.  You can access the parking lot off of France Ave. S. by turning into the Shipping/Receiving area; take your first left into the small parking lot.  

Hours & Location

Hours: 

  • Summer 2024 Hours: Mon - Thurs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri Closed

Location:

A 1565 (First Floor Activities) 

NOTE:  The first floor of the Library Building is under construction and will stay closed off for about the next year. In the meantime, you can access the Campus Cupboard and Student Resource Center in the following ways (Campus map):

  • From College Services second floor take the courtyard to reach the Activities Building. Then, go from the second floor of activities to the first floor.
  • From the Science building first level take the ramp to first floor Activities. 
  • Park near the Partnership Center and go on the back side of campus (past the Partnership Center and Kopp Student Center) to the Activities first level door. 
  • There is a 15-minute parking spot for the Campus Cupboard guests off France Ave. South in the Building Services parking spot. Go through the Building Services building and take your first right in the Activities Building. 

Get Involved and Donate

About half of Normandale students reported being food insecure; they lack access to or face limited availability of adequate food. Our goal is to eliminate that burden by being a Hunger-Free Campus, part of a statewide initiative addressing food insecurity on community and technical college campuses.

There are several ways to donate to the Campus Cupboard:

  1. Contribute non-perishable food and personal hygiene items, including diapers and baby wipes. Items must not be expired or past the best by date. Drop off donations in A1565. If you have a large donation, contact us by email or call 952-358-8309 so we can set up an assisted drop-off time.

    Currently, our most needed donations are:

    -Any culturally-specific non-perishable food (i.e. food from Latinx, Asian, and African cuisines)
    -Snacks that students can eat on campus
    -Dish soap
    -Laundry detergent
    -Paper towels
    -Baby wipes
  2. Buy suggested items on our Amazon Campus Cupboard Wish List page.
  3. Donate online to the Campus Cupboard credit card; select "Other" and put the Campus Cupboard in the Notes. 
  4. Normandale employees can set up an ongoing donation via payroll deduction; contact Tipheret Peña if you're interested.
  5. Donate clothing.  We collect clean, adult clothing (no shoes or undergarments please). 
  6. Donate surplus garden produce.  


All donations can be dropped off at the Campus Cupboard (A 1565) during our operating hours.  All donations qualify for a tax deduction to the fullest extent allowed by law. Save all receipts of any purchases and send to CampusCupboard@normandale.edu.

 

Partnerships

The Campus Cupboard is made possible through the generosity of others. We currently partner with the following organizations:  

Interested in exploring a partnership? Email CampusCupboard@normandale.edu or call (952) 358-8309.

Additional Resources

Please review the additional food and basic needs resources below. If you need additional assistance please email CampusCupboard@normandale.edu or call (952) 358-8309.

Contact

Campus Cupboard

campuscupboard@normandale.edu

952-358-8309

A 1565

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