The Flagstaff Family Food Center is taking over management of Louie’s Cupboard, the student-focused food pantry on Northern Arizona University’s Flagstaff mountain campus.
The partnership, which was made official after a successful pilot program last semester, will expand food offerings and offer improved access for students both now and in the long term. The goal is to ensure Louie’s Cupboard can continue to meet students’ needs effectively and compassionately.
“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with NAU to help meet student needs in the area of food insecurity,” said Ceara Chirovsky, vice president of the Flagstaff Family Food Center. “Our mission is to feed our neighbors, many of whom are students, faculty and staff at NAU. This wonderful community partnership will increase access and build a foundation for more opportunities in the future.”
What’s changing?
During the pilot program, FFFC contributed fresh produce, frozen meals and non-perishable food items to the monthly Louie’s Cupboard distribution, which meant more variety. Students said they appreciated the expanded options.
The partnership will continue those contributions, which means an increase in quality and quantity of food. The larger supply of food will enable Louie’s Cupboard to serve more students now and in the future, strengthening NAU’s goal of no Lumberjack going hungry.
“This new partnership between NAU’s Louie’s Cupboard and the Flagstaff Family Food Center will significantly increase our ability to mitigate food insecurity for our students,” said Margot Saltonstall, vice president for Student Affairs at NAU. “Leveraging FFFC’s expertise, resources and network will benefit students and help both FFFC and Louie’s Cupboard fulfill their complementary missions.”
The partnership also will position NAU and the FFFC to jointly pursue opportunities to further address the growing concern of food insecurity in our region.
What’s staying the same?
Louie’s Cupboard, which began in 2012 as a student project in a social work program, will remain housed in the Lumberjack CARE Center to make it easily accessible to students. The student-led Louie’s Cupboard Club will continue to support the pantry through volunteering and providing guidance and leadership. Since the food pantry was started by and created for students, the club will continue to play a significant role in shaping its current and future operations.
“Louie’s Cupboard has created a safe space for students to receive food and hygiene products free of the judgment or stigma related to food inaccessibility,” said Daniella Quiroz, a junior psychological sciences student and president of the Louie’s Cupboard Club. “We, as college students, are in such a distinct and rigorous chapter of our lives, and the basic necessities of nourishment and hygiene should never be a barrier to performing our best. Through this collaboration, Louie’s Cupboard will only expand and continue to support our community of students.”
Louie’s Cupboard also would not exist without donations from the Lumberjack community. To learn more and continue supporting the food pantry’s mission, visit the NAU Foundation website.
Heidi Toth | NAU Communications
(928) 523-8737 | heidi.toth@nau.edu