'Soup for Soul' raises over $1,350 for The Cupboard
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor
The seventh annual Soup for the Soul event, benefitting The Cupboard at Penn College, raised over $1,350.
Hosted by Dining Services on Oct. 24 in the area outside the Wildcat Express and The Cupboard’s main location in the Bush Campus Center, the fundraiser also featured tours of the food pantry that serves Penn College students facing food insecurity.
The Soup for the Soul meal included soup, bread, a beverage and dessert. The first 110 registrants received a handcrafted bowl or mug, created by students enrolled in Penn College ceramics classes.
“This is one of two main fundraisers for The Cupboard,” explained Amy S. Lingg, dining services marketing and systems specialist. “In April, we will be hosting the second annual Race Against Hunger fundraiser. All proceeds from both events go directly to support The Cupboard and the college’s six mini-cupboards across our three campuses.”
During the 2023-24 academic year, The Cupboard supported over 350 different students and their families with close to 600 visits.
According to a 2024 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 3.8 million college students reported experiencing food insecurity in 2020. More than half of these students reported skipping meals or not eating multiple times a day because they couldn’t afford food.
Penn College students wanting more information on The Cupboard locations or confidential access to services can visit the food pantry’s website. Those wishing to support The Cupboard can visit the donation site.
