Cardinal Cupboard is Now Open!!
Winter Break Update: Cardinal Cupboard will only be open on Wednesdays from 9 am - 5 pm over break, except for when the university is closed (12/19 - 1/3). Please email cua-service@cua.edu for assistance or accommodations.
Cardinal Cupboard is Catholic U.'s food pantry, which provides non-perishable food to any member of the university community to who is experiencing food insecurity.
Cardinal Cupboard operates on the principals 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.
Visit Cardinal Cupboard
Prior to your first visit at Cardinal Cupboard, please fill out this brief survey (English or Spanish).
To place an order for a pre-made bag, please fill out this form (English or Spanish).
We cannot guarantee that a volunteer will be available at your requested appointment date/time (outside of open hours), so please wait for a confirmation email before visiting Cardinal Cupboard.
If you would like someone other than yourself to pick up a bag of food for you, that's perfectly okay. Just make sure to designate on the order form the name of the person who will be picking up the bag.
We ask that pantry guests visit Cardinal Cupboard no more than once per week.
What's In Stock
- Apple Sauce and Fruit Cups
- 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
- Tissues
Donate to Cardinal Cupboard
To provide a monetary donation to Cardinal Cupboard, please click here.
Donations allow us to supplement the pantry with items that we are not able to receive from Capital Area Food Bank, including hygiene products and toiletries.
You can also donate to the Light The Way Fund which provides emergency grants to students who are in difficult financial situations.
If you would like to donate material items, please contact cua-service@cua.edu. You are welcome to drop off donated items directly to Cardinal Cupboard during our open hours, or we can accept donations at Campus Ministry in Caldwell Hall outside of Cardinal Cupboard's open hours.
Most Requested Items:
- Soap
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Deodorant
- 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
We are looking for a group of committed volunteers who are willing to be on-call to answer appointment requests. Please fill out this google form if you're interested in volunteering.
Volunteers will need to attend a short training session.
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.
Contact Information
For questions or information related to The Cardinal Cupboard, please contact cua-service@cua.edu