Who We Are

 

The Cardinal Cupboard is Catholic U's food pantry, which provides non-perishable food items to any member of the university community that is experiencing food insecurity.

The Cardinal Cupboard operates on the principles of social justice, inclusivity, accessibility, and dignity. Students or employees who find that they have difficulty purchasing adequate and sufficient groceries are welcome to visit the pantry to receive assistance. 

Access our weekly grocery guide for community resources in the DMV.

What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity has been defined as inconsistent or uncertain access to adequate and nutritious food.

Signs of food insecurity include one or more of the following:

• Skipping meals because of financial restrictions.
• Stretching a single meal to last all day.
• Always having to buy cheap, non-nutritious food.
• Choosing between buying food and other financial obligations.
• Experiencing anxiety or uncertainty about food availability.

Visiting the Cardinal Cupboard

 

The Cardinal Cupboard is open for business! Stop by Pryz 107F Monday-Thursday from 12-6pm to shop with us! 

The Cardinal Cupboard is designed to provide groceries to the Catholic University community that is experiencing food insecurity at any point in time. Patrons may arrive to the pantry during open hours and shop on their own, or request that bag(s) be pre-made and available for pickup. 

Prior to your first visit at Cardinal Cupboard, please fill out this brief survey (English or Spanish).

If you would prefer to have bags made in advance and available for pickup, please email the Cupboard team directly at cua-cardinal-cupboard@cua.edu and we can coordinate items for the bag as well as pickup times. 

The Cardinal Cupboard is designed to serve patrons roughly once a week.

What's In Stock

• Apple Sauce and Fruit Cups
• Baby products (diapers, wipes, bottles, shampoo)
• Beans (canned and dried)
• Canned Fruit
• Canned Vegetables
• Cereal
• Granola Bars
• Mac and Cheese
• Oatmeal
• Pancake Mix
• Pasta
• Peanut Butter
• Ramen
• Rice
• Shelf-Stable Milk
• Snacks
• Tuna
• Feminine Products

Make a request

If you are a patron and have a request for a specific item, please fill out this form and we will do our best to accomodate your wishes!

 

Donate to Cardinal Cupboard

The Cardinal Cupboard is completely donor funded. That means that the pantry is 100% supported through generous monetary and item donations. From food drives to volunteering, the CUA students, staff, alumni and families are the driving support system for the pantry. Most items purchased for the pantry are done so through the Capital Area Food Bank, however, we strive to widen our reach and provide hygiene products and toiletries whenever possible. 

E-gift cards to Walmart, Safeway, and Target are an additional way to support the CUA community. These gift cards allow us to serve our community members who are not in the DC area as well as provide resources for visitors to purchase perishable and non-food items. We recommend purchasing the gift cards in $25 increments. Please send e-gift cards to cua-cardinal-cupboard@cua.edu.

To provide a monetary donation to Cardinal Cupboard, please click here. Donated items can be dropped off directly to Cardinal Cupboard during our open hours, or anytime in the Campus Ministry office in Caldwell Hall. For additional information about items to donate or questions, please contact cua-cardinal-cupboard@cua.edu.

Most Requested Items:

*We request that all toiletry items be full size bottles, not travel size or hotel bottles. 

• Soap
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Deoderant
• Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Canned poultry or fish
• Low sodium canned vegetables
• Low sugar canned fruit
• Cereal
• Beverages

Volunteer at Cardinal Cupboard

Volunteers are vital to the success of the Cardinal Cupboard. Current students and staff may volunteer on a weekly basis or periodically, the commitment can vary based on your schedule. Depending on the shift, volunteers may assists visitors with their shopping experience, host tabling events around campus to spread word about the pantry, sort donations, inventory the pantry, assist in shopping for pantry items, restock shelves, or other pantry related tasks. If interested in volunteering, please fill out this Google Form.

Volunteers will need to attend a short training session.

Staff

Caitlin Wilson (wilsonca@cua.edu) - AmeriCorps VISTA member

 

  

Contact Information

For questions or information related to The Cardinal Cupboard, please contact cua-cardinal-cupboard@cua.edu