Metro East Community Rotary Club Donates $1,000 to SIUE Cougar Cupboard

Metro East Community Rotary Club Donates $1,000 to SIUE Cougar Cupboard

July 17, 2024, 7:00 PM

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Cougar Cupboard recently received a substantial $1,000 donation from the Metro East Community Rotary Club. The contribution, generated through the club's Empty Bowls fundraiser, will significantly bolster the cupboard's efforts to combat food insecurity among students.

The Empty Bowls fundraiser, a community event where participants purchase soup in handcrafted ceramic bowls to support hunger relief, highlights the Rotary Club's commitment to addressing hunger in the region. Selecting the SIUE Cougar Cupboard as one of the beneficiaries underscores the community's dedication to supporting college students in need.

"This donation is pivotal and will enhance the Cougar Cupboard's ability to provide essential food and supplies to students facing food insecurity," said Lealia Williams, Student Care and Advocacy Coordinator, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. "Additionally, the donation exemplifies robust community support for the cupboard's mission, encouraging other potential donors to contribute. The funds will also allow for the purchase of more diverse and higher-quality items, broadening the cupboard's capacity to meet a wider range of student needs."

Since August 1, 2023, the Cougar Cupboard has seen significant growth, with more than 2,300 visitors. The cupboard also offers a sponsorship program where individuals, organizations, or campus departments can sponsor a shelf, ensuring continued support for SIUE students.

The Cougar Cupboard actively engages the SIUE community through various strategies, encouraging support and volunteer efforts. To maximize its support, the Cougar Cupboard partners with local resources and organizations. This includes collaborations with grocery stores, farmers' markets for food donations and sponsorships, and partnerships with local nonprofits and community groups to secure additional resources. Currently, ongoing relationships with organizations like the Metro East Community Rotary Club help sustain and expand funding.

Lealia Williams stated, "The donation from the Metro East Community Rotary Club, alongside ongoing community support, is crucial in helping the Cougar Cupboard fulfill its mission to fight food insecurity and support SIUE students."

The Cougar Cupboard has relocated to the lower level of the Morris University Center in Room 0012. For more information, call 618-650-2020 or email [email protected].

PHOTO:(left to right) Miriam Roccia, interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs;Andrea Wetzel, Metro East Community Rotary Club;Lealia Williams, Student Care and Advocacy coordinator in the SIUE Office of Student Affairs;and Andrea Keller, Director of Development Student Affairs, Graduate School, and Lovejoy Library