Animal Science support for Cats’ Cupboard tops $7,000
Department supports students in need by providing animal protein
March 21, 2019
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Officials in the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry say a program to support students’ nutritional needs across campus has topped $7,000 in just a little over five months of its launch.
Interim head Evan Titgemeyer said the department formed a partnership with Cats’ Cupboard, the campus’ food pantry, in September 2018 to provide protein options for students in need.
Many students who utilize Cats’ Cupboard lack the resources to buy food and prepare complete meals. Titgemeyer said that the department has been providing $20 vouchers to 80 students per month during the regular semester.
Students may use the voucher to buy ground beef, milk, eggs and hard cheeses in the department’s dairy bar in Call Hall.
“We view this as an opportunity to endorse animal proteins as an important part of a healthy diet and to promote these animal proteins as a highly desirable dietary component for students,” Titgemeyer said.
Erin Bishop, the food coordinator for Cats’ Cupboard, said the partnership with the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry “supports the total well-being of K-State students and helps move the needle on student success and retention.”
“Through this partnership we have witnessed a difference in the items leaving our shelves, as students have access to meat, cheese, eggs, and milk produced on our very own campus,” she said. “We are so grateful for the support the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry has given to Cats’ Cupboard.”
Bishop noted that Cats’ Cupboard staff and volunteers selected the department for the 2019 “Friends of Cats’ Cupboard” award, which was created to recognize outstanding support and service in addressing food insecurity on K-State’s campus.
The award will be presented at the annual Student Life Awards on April 11 at 3 p.m. in the K-State Student Union.
The mission of Cats’ Cupboard is to provide access to nutritious food and support through initiatives that promote health, success and well-being. Its vision is to prevent food insecurity from being a barrier to student success.
Cats’ Cupboard is located in 009 Fairchild Hall and is open six days a week: 5-7 p.m. Sundays; noon to 7 p.m. Mondays; 9 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays; 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays.
For more information about Cats’ Cupboard, visit https://www.k-state.edu/cats-cupboardor follow on Facebook, @catscupboardksu.
Bishop noted that Cats’ Cupboard has been selected as a beneficiary of K-State’s inaugural giving day, All in for K-State, on March 27. For more information on the campaign, visit www.ksufoundation.org/AllInforKState/index.html to make a gift and to challenge others to do the same.
The Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry department serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education.The K-State ASI department prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries. The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science, food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills. For more about the K-State’s ASI department visit asi.ksu.edu.
