Free food resources for students struggling with food insecurity

A 2019 study by the National College Health Assessment found that 48.9% of UCCS students are burdened by some level of food insecurity, but the campus has since made efforts to improve food accessibility. 

In 2023, UCCS was designated as a hunger free and healthy minds campus by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and it has kept that status.  

The leading cause of food insecurity is financial insecurity, but it can also be caused by a lack of time, a lack of nutritious options or a lack of knowledge about resources available for students, according to Basic Needs Coordinator Amber Gilson. 

UCCS provides many on-campus resources for students struggling with food insecurity, most notably Clyde’s Cupboard, a donation based, non-need-based food pantry on campus whose goal is to help ease the financial burden on students by providing access to free food items. 

Olivia McKenna, a graduate assistant at Clyde’s Cupboard, feels that the purpose of the pantry goes beyond alleviating financial stress. “Proper nutrition is also critical for academic performance and overall well-being,” she said. 

Students can visit the pantry once a week and take up to eight perishable food items and five hygiene products. At 1 p.m. every other Friday, Clyde’s Cupboard hosts Fresh Food Friday where the pantry provides perishable food items like dairy products, meats, fruits and veggies. 

McKenna said the event is first come, first serve and will run until there is no food left.  

Clyde’s Cupboard has a host of other options for food resources: 

  • Mountain Lion Meals provides up to 40 students with three dining hall meals per week. The form for this opens each Monday on Clyde’s Cupboard’s social media. 
  • Kitchen Basics provides 20 students with kitchen basics (e.g. measuring cups, utensils, etc.) about one month into each semester. 
  • Goodie bags with snacks for finals week. 
  • Grocery gift card giveaways once a semester provide up to 50 students with $50 grocery store gift cards. Pop-up pantries are set up once a month in different academic buildings, typically for one hour at a time.  

Clyde’s Cupboard is located in the Student Life Lounge, Room 102 in the University Center. It’s open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. During breaks, operating hours depend on the availability of staff. 

Clyde’s Cupboard provides updates on hours and events they host through their Instagram @clydescupboard and on their Facebook page Clyde’s Cupboard

In addition to Clyde’s Cupboard, UCCS has other resources available for students struggling with food insecurity. On campus, students can use Mountain Lion Connect to filter events serving free food.  

For off-campus resources, Gilson recommends students visit the Basic Needs Resource Page on the UCCS website for a list of community food pantries and information on what each one offers. UCCS is also partnered with a non-profit program called Single Stop, which shows students what public benefits they are likely eligible for. 

Clyde’s Cupboard is located in the Student Life Lounge in the University Center. Photo by Josiah Dolan.