Comet Cupboard - Hunger Free @ UTD

Our Goal - We Need You!

The Comet Cupboard aims to raise $1,000 to provide a healthy supply of food items for the fall semester, furthering our ability to ensure all UT Dallas students can meet their dietary and personal care needs.

Why Contribute?

The Comet Cupboard is a vital asset to the UT Dallas community. Students who utilize the Cupboard see a 1.4-point increase in their GPA on average. Campus awareness of this essential service continues to increase, and the need for items  is greater than it has ever been. The Cupboard has seen a 17 percent increase in student visits and a 43 percent increase in items distributed. During the 2016-17 academic year, the Cupboard served more than 2,000 students, providing 21,893 essential items.

The Comet Cupboard also offers UT Dallas students a tremendous opportunity to experience the fulfillment of helping others and to contribute to the University’s culture of service. It is our belief that the presence of an on-campus, service-engagement opportunity will help develop more well-rounded students. During the 2016-17 academic year, the Cupboard utilized 219 volunteers for a total of 2,533 hours.

Who We Are

The Comet Cupboard is a UT Dallas food pantry initiative dedicated to helping students in need. Its primary mission is to provide necessary food and personal care items to members of the UT Dallas community, but its impact reaches much further. The Comet Cupboard acts as a service-learning component of the undergraduate academic experience and strives to cultivate a community-oriented campus culture. In addition to providing essential meal and personal items, the Cupboard offers a friendly environment among users and volunteers.  It is open five days a week and operated by student volunteers. 

Why Do We Exist?

The awareness for supplemental food pantries on campus is growing. Recent studies show a decrease in the number of traditional college students who receive support from family. The non-traditional college student, one who supports a family and works full-time, is becoming the norm. There is also the misconception that students who can afford college tuition are able to afford food. Many students exhaust their funds on tuition, books, rent and gas, leaving very little for food and almost no ability to make healthy dietary choices. Many students are forced to choose between food and textbooks. Research has shown that food-insecure students have lower GPAs compared to food-secure students. By providing food and personal care items to students in need, we are helping them focus on achieving their academic goals.