Paused due to Covid - 19 Pandemic - On the first Monday of each month, members of the sorority and fraternity community can be found at the Maize & Blue Cupboard, unloading the newest shipment of fresh food and shelf-stable items from Food Gatherers, a local food rescue organization. The Cupboard, in its newest home at 420 S. State Street, is one example of the ways in which members of the University of Michigan community come together to help those in need. The Cupboard’s mission is the ensure that members of the campus community receive equitable access to healthy, nutritious, and nourishing food and the knowledge to prepare it for themselves and others.
Food insecurity comes in many forms, from tight budgets to physical restraints that prohibit access to a regular grocery store. Approximately 30% of students will experience food insecurity during their academic career. Both fresh and shelf-stable food are available for visitors. The Cupboard also provides cookware and personal items including hand soap, trash bags, and feminine products. In addition to food and personal items, the Cupboard also provides critical support, hosting experts from various organizations like Wolverine Wellness, Financial Aid and CAPS. They also provide information on how to sign up for the Michigan Food Assistance Program (SNAP) and help community members navigate resources to improve their food security.
In order to provide items and services to the community, the small staff of the Cupboard relies on volunteers and donations. To help meet this need, Fraternity & Sorority Life has committed to providing volunteers from the sorority and fraternity community each month, throughout the year. Volunteers can help unload shipments and stock shelves, as well as compost old food that has not been claimed. Members of each council take a different month to participate, building relationships through service. November’s volunteer group comes from several different MGC and NPHC organizations.
Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc. member Marwa Hassan has been volunteering with the Maize & Blue Cupboard for some time. “I’ve volunteered in the past as part of my scholarship, but it was more difficult when the Cupboard didn’t have a permanent location,” said Hassan. Hassan volunteered with other MGC members for one of the first November FSL volunteer dates. “It was nice to work with other MGC members this time and make connections with people I haven’t spent time with,” Hassan said.
If you are a sorority or fraternity member and are interested in volunteering, contact your council members or the FSL office for more details. The Cupboard is also accepting personal item donations, consider organizing a drive to help support this need. If you or anyone you know may be in need of the services or resources of the Maize & Blue Cupboard, it is open Tuesday-Friday 3pm-7pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. Only a U-M ID is needed to access items and resources and use of the Cupboard does not impact financial aid.
The Maize & Blue Cupboard always accepts monetary donations via its DONATE link. Learn more about the Maize & Blue Cupboard by visiting https://mbc.studentlife.umich.edu/