by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
MANHATTAN - The KSU Foundation has announced a private donation will fund the renovation of the former Campus Ecumenical Center into the new home for K-State's food pantry, Cats' Cupboard.
The new location will increase the pantry's size from just 800 square feet to 8,000 square feet, providing enhanced space to continue promoting student health, success and well-being for students facing food insecurity.
Additional improvements include better parking and visibility, along with improved accessibility, increased storage capacity, space for packaging bulk food items and pick-up orders, walk-in and reach-in coolers and freezers, and a loading dock that will allow for larger deliveries of donated food and supplies.
"Since 2017, Cats' Cupboard has served K-State with access to nutritious food and support from Fairchild Hall," said Shelly Williams, Morrison family director of Cats' Cupboard. "While we remain grateful for the space, we have outgrown it and are eager for the opportunities that come with this incredible upgrade. In addition to increased visibility and access, the new space offers gardening and educational opportunities; greater capacity to accept, store and repack bulk donations; and the ability to distribute frozen products. Cats' Cupboard aims to cultivate a transformational experience, where every Wildcat — no matter their background or circumstance — is confident in their ability to feed themselves and their households while obtaining a degree at Kansas State University."
The remodel of the new location is expected to be completed by August 2023 and was made possible by a donation from David and Tracy Lockton of Naples, Florida.
“When we recognized this opportunity, it checked a lot of boxes for us: excellent organizational leadership, helping students become self-sufficient, and supporting good health for our community,” said David Lockton. “It’s exciting to be part of this project that will allow such a significant increase in resources for K-State students experiencing food insecurity. We look forward to seeing these plans come to life over the next few months.” David is a 1975 graduate of K-State’s College of Business Administration.
