A move in location is benefiting Corky’s Cupboard and the students it serves at Emporia State University.
The food pantry is moving from the Memorial Union main floor inside the Memorial Union to the lower level, providing more space for operations and moving the office of Basic Needs Coordinator Cale Bolen into that space.
Bolen says Corky’s Cupboard started almost 10 years ago — November 2014 — after ESU faculty and staff noted a need to help students with their own donations. The space now includes refrigerators, freezer space and additional space for bulk purchase items.
There will be a ribbon-cutting event at 3 pm Feb. 16.
During the 2022-23 academic year, Corky’s Cupboard had over 530 students using the facility with almost 5,300 visits. Bolen says about 200 students come to Corky’s Cupboard every week for a range of food and other items. Students simply to show a valid Emporia State student ID to access the pantry.
The pantry is stocked through a variety of food drives and cash-based fundraisers. A recent “Stranger Things” escape room effort by the ESU Libraries and Archives Department generated $300, while over $1,700 was raised through the Emporia Hot Flashes’ appearance at the Granny Basketball Southern Jamboree this past weekend.
