Cougar Cupboard Expands Service to the University of Houston (UH) Community

DSA News
April 10, 2024

The Cougar Cupboard will re-open its doors to the University of Houston (UH) community on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. in its new, larger space within University Lofts. The Cougar Cupboard is the university’s food pantry and has become an essential resource for hundreds of UH students who struggle with food insecurity, or “the lack of consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active life,” as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Cougar Cupboard estimated that around 15,000 UH students could be experiencing food insecurity, which can range from living in debt, to having to constantly skip meals. One Cougar Cupboard recipient said, "It becomes a safe zone for us when we need extra food… we know that there’s always something for us when we need help."

The relocation of the Cougar Cupboard was a necessary expansion as it has experienced a significant increase in usage since its inception in 2020. The Cupboard saw over a 1900% usage increase from Fall 2020 through Spring 2023. “Our new location will allow us to accept more people into the space at one time, thereby decreasing wait times and increasing accessibility,” said Jessica Haney, program manager for the Cougar Cupboard. “It will also allow us to store nearly twice as much food as we could before, providing more support to students and their families.”

Although the Cupboard had to temporarily close on June 30, 2023 for construction, the Center for Student Advocacy and Community (CSAC) staff hosted food distributions every Friday outside of the Student Center South, along with continuously supporting the university’s second food pantry- Cougar Cupboard 2: Operated by PEEPS. As of Spring 2024, the Cougar Cupboard has reported 7,300+ registrations, 40,000+ visits, 600,000+ pounds of food distributed, and 3,000 DoorDash deliveries. One student stated, “I am a better man, student, and father because of the Cupboard. Keith T. Kowalka, assistant vice president for student affairs said, "As we prepare to open the doors of the newly expanded Cougar Cupboard, we are reminded of the profound impact this resource has on our UH community. The Cupboard is not just a place to find food; it is a beacon of hope for our students facing food insecurity. With its larger space and increased capacity, the Cougar Cupboard stands ready to embrace even more individuals in need, providing not only nourishment but also a sense of dignity and belonging."

The Center for Student Advocacy and Community invites all members of the UH community to celebrate the Cougar Cupboard’s Grand Opening. More information about the Cougar Cupboard and how you can support their efforts can be found on their website.

More about the Cougar Cupboard:

The Cougar Cupboard is housed within the Center for Student Advocacy and Community (CSAC), previously within UH Wellness, and was established to address food insecurity at the University of Houston. To address this significant barrier to student success, the University of Houston opened the Cougar Cupboard in partnership with the Houston Food Bank’s Food for Change Market network. The Cupboard is available to all enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who may need access to additional food, at no additional cost. The Cougar Cupboard is sponsored by the Houston Food Bank, American Heart Association, and TDECU

Written By Meli Iracheta-Guerra – Web Project Manager – Student Affairs IT Services