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The Campus Cupboard staff

Campus Cupboard

The Campus Cupboard provides free food to Normandale students and any community member.

The Campus Cupboard is a free resource on campus that provides food to any Normandale student and anyone from the community. It’s hard to learn when you’re hungry or worried about food so please take advantage of this service, even if you just forgot your lunch today.

People can come as often as they want and get non-perishable food (food that does not need to be refrigerated), fresh and frozen food, and meals on the go.

 

How it works

  • Food: We offer fresh food, frozen groceries and non-perishable food. Most items are not limited, though we do place limits per person on some high-demand food. 
  • Grab-and-Go Meals: We have fresh or frozen meals for students. Students can get 1 fresh and 1 frozen meal per day, while supplies last. Link to our current menu. We get new meals twice per week.

If you are unable to visit campus to use the Campus Cupboard, please see below for additional resources and/or email CampusCupboard@normandale.edu or call 952-358-8309 for assistance finding other food resources.

  1. If you are a Normandale student at your first visit we will ask you to complete an optional Campus Cupboard Registration form.  You will need to know your STAR ID and password to access the form.  The registration form asks how many people are in your household ages 0-17, 18-64, and age 65+.  
  2. At each visit if you are a Normandale student you will be asked to check in by scanning your Normandale ID card, or entering your STAR ID or tech ID number on one of our front desk laptops. Checking in is optional; we ask students to check in as this helps us obtain more funding for food and do grant reporting.  If you are not a Normandale student you do not need to have or provide a Normandale ID card or number. 
  3. We provide you with grocery bags to use.
  4. You select your food items yourself. Most items are not limited, though we have limits per person on some high-demand items. If you want meals we have a menu available and will get 1 fresh and 1 frozen meal for you upon request.  
  5. A staff person will ask for the weight of your food (we have a scale to use).

That's it!  Video tour of the Campus Cupboard and Student Resource Center (video credit: Chhayheang Chea).

Additional Details

Policies

Some of our food comes from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), therefore, we follow the USDA's Civil Rights non-discrimination policies. This institution is an equal opportunity employer.

Parking

We have one 15-minute reserved parking spot near the Campus Cupboard.  You can access the parking lot off of France Ave. S. by turning into the Shipping/Receiving area; take your first left into the small parking lot.  

Hours & Location

Hours:

  • Spring 2025:  Mon. - Thurs. 8 am to 5 pm, Fri 8 am-4:30 pm
  • Summer 2025 (Mon. May 19th-Tues. Aug. 22nd): Mon. - Thurs. 8 am-5 pm. Fri. virtual assistance 8 am-12 pm; no in-person services.

Location:

A 1565 (First Floor Activities) 

NOTE:  The first floor of the Library Building is under construction and will stay closed off for about the next year. In the meantime, you can access the Campus Cupboard and Student Resource Center in the following ways (Campus map):

  • From College Services second floor take the courtyard to reach the Activities Building. Then, go from the second floor of activities to the first floor.
  • From the Science building first level take the ramp to first floor Activities. 
  • Park near the Partnership Center and go on the back side of campus (past the Partnership Center and Kopp Student Center) to the Activities first level door. 
  • There is a 15-minute parking spot for the Campus Cupboard guests off France Ave. South in the Building Services parking spot. Go through the Building Services building and take your first right in the Activities Building. 

Get Involved and Donate

donate 

About half of Normandale students reported being food insecure; they lack access to or face limited availability of adequate food. Our goal is to eliminate that burden by being a Hunger-Free Campus, part of a statewide initiative addressing food insecurity on community and technical college campuses.

There are several ways to donate to the Campus Cupboard

  1. Donate via credit card through the Normandale Foundation; on the donation page select "Other" and put the Campus Cupboard in the Notes. 
  2. Contribute non-perishable food and personal hygiene items, including diapers and baby wipes. Items must not be expired or past the best by date. Drop off donations in A1565. If you have a large donation, contact us by email or call 952-358-8309 so we can set up an assisted drop-off time.

    Currently, our most needed donations are:

    -Any culturally-specific non-perishable food (i.e. food from Latinx, Asian, and African cuisines)
    -Snacks that students can eat on campus
    -Dish soap
    -Laundry detergent
    -Paper towels
    -Baby wipes
  3. Buy suggested items on our Amazon Campus Cupboard Wish List page.
  4. Normandale employees can set up an ongoing donation via payroll deduction; contact Kalista Dahle if you're interested.
  5. Donate surplus garden produce.  

All donations can be dropped off at the Campus Cupboard (A 1565) during our operating hours.  All donations qualify for a tax deduction to the fullest extent allowed by law. Save all receipts of any purchases and send to CampusCupboard@normandale.edu.

volunteer

Normandale students are welcome to volunteer in the Campus Cupboard. Volunteers help with things like re-stocking food items, organizing donations, and unloading deliveries.  There is no minimum time commitment.  Volunteers sign up for their own shifts in hour-long increments during the times we are open.  If you are interested in volunteering email CampusCupboard@normandale.edu to schedule a 30-minute volunteer orientation; send 2-3 days/times when you're free to do volunteer training Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday 8 am-4:30 pm.

Partnerships

The Campus Cupboard is made possible through the generosity of others. We currently partner with the following organizations:  

Interested in exploring a partnership? Email CampusCupboard@normandale.edu or call (952) 358-8309.

Additional Resources

Please review the additional food and basic needs resources below. If you need additional assistance please email CampusCupboard@normandale.edu or call (952) 358-8309.

Contact

Campus Cupboard

campuscupboard@normandale.edu

952-358-8309

A 1565

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