By Mike Greife,
October 12, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – The University of Central Missouri’s Campus Cupboard recently was
recognized by Harvesters-The Community Food Network of Kansas City with the 2016 Circle
of Hope Network Partnership-Missouri Pantry Award. Beth Rutt, UCM director of student
activities, and Trish Smith, UCM graduate assistant and Campus Cupboard coordinator,
accepted the award at the Sept. 22 awards luncheon in Kansas City.
Opened in fall 2013 to serve a need among faculty, staff and students on the UCM campus,
the Campus Cupboard is a food pantry initially developed as a collaborative effort
of the Office of Student Activities, the Department of Communication Disorders and
Social Work and the Department of Nutrition and Kinesiology. A UCM Alumni Foundation
Opportunity Grant providing initial funding for equipment, supplies and food, along
with a continued per semester allocation from the UCM Student Government Association.
With assistance from the UCM Alumni Foundation, the Campus Cupboard obtained 501(c)3
non-profit status and partnered with Harvesters-The Community Food Network in Kansas
City as a source for food. Contributions of cash and food items also are accepted,
and a list of needed items is maintained on site.
Located in the lower level of the UCM Student Recreation and Wellness Center, the
pantry cared for 257 individuals in 168 visits during the first three months of operation.
During the second full year of operation, more than 1,000 individuals were served..
In 2015, that number grew to more than 2,600 individuals, with more than 2,000 served
during the first six months of 2016.
Rutt noted that the response of the UCM campus and has been a key factor in the success
of the Campus Cupboard.
“We knew there was a need on our campus for this type of assistance, and through the
philanthropy and volunteerism provided by the campus community, we have grown to serve
that need with the enormous benefit of our partnership with Harvesters,” Rutt said.
“As our demand continues to increase, we are confident that we can continue to rely
on the UCM community to continue their support in serving those in need.”
The Circle of Hope awards spotlight exemplary contributions of corporations, agencies,
groups and individuals in support of Harvesters and the more than 140,000 people the
food bank serves each month. The Circle of Hope refers to the common interest between
Harvesters and its agencies, volunteers and donors in alleviating hunger in the 26
counties served by Harvesters.
The Circle of Hope Awards honor organizations and individuals leading the fight against
hunger in the Kansas City region. More than 250 philanthropists, community agencies,
volunteers and corporate food donors attended the event, held at the Kansas City Marriott
Downtown.
For more information on the Campus Cupboard, visit ucmo.edu/life/cupboard, or contact
Beth Rutt at brutt@ucmo.edu or 660-543-4381.
