In March of 2019, Kean University established the Cougar Pantry to help combat food insecurity among current graduate and undergraduate students within the Kean campus community. This organization is called The Cougar Pantry.
Cougar Pantry is a food pantry set up for Kean University students. The pantry has an assortment of donated non-perishable food items and some health/hygiene products.
If a Kean student or staff member would like to donate to the Cougar Pantry, they can make arrangements by emailing cougarpantry@kean.edu to schedule a drop off time with the Center for Leadership and Service (CLS) in the Miron Student Center (MSC) Room 219. Due to the pandemic, the Cougar Pantry is not currently taking in-person, drop-in visits. All food distribution activities are set by individual appointment only.
Managing Assistant Director for Community Service and Civic Engagement, Susan Figueroa said, “food insecure students can reach out to the Cougar Pantry for food support through care packages. The pantry has created food care packages throughout the pandemic as well as holiday food box distributions including gift cards during the holidays for those in need.”
To make a financial contribution, one can contact the Kean University Foundation by phone at (908) 316-8920 or by email at kuf@keanfoundation.org to donate to the Cougar Pantry.
Cougar Pantry relies on the donations they receive from the Kean community to keep food supplies and hygiene products in stock for food insecure students. Kean is also working to launch a Food Recovery Program that will provide students access to leftover food from campus events once we have moved past the need for strict COVID safety protocols in the future.
Students who are experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to contact the Cougar Pantry directly at cougarpantry@kean.edu, to be included in food care package distribution. On the Food Care Package Event tab, there is a google form that students can fill out to be included in food distribution information. All requests to the pantry will be kept confidential.
