December 12, 2012 by Samuel Horstman, NMSU News Center
Lori Haussamen and volunteers organize food items for the NMSU food pantry inside of the Christian Challenge building. It is a free and confidential service that distributes nonperishable food to students, staff and faculty in need of emergency assistance. (NMSU photo by Rachel Valerio)
New Mexico State University’s newly opened food pantry has now been given an official name by the Aggie community.
The “Aggie Cupboard” was the name selected by the NMSU community. More than 40 names were submitted and a naming committee made up of students and staff then chose the five names to be taken to a vote at NMSU.
The name was submitted by Samuel Allen, a research scientist at NMSU’s Agricultural Science Center at Farmington.
“I am excited and very honored that the NMSU community has chosen the name ‘The Aggie Cupboard,’” Allen said. “In thinking of a name, I felt it should be easy to remember, blend in well with NMSU branding, and most importantly, have a friendly, welcoming sound to it.”
The Aggie Cupboard is a free and confidential service that distributes nonperishable food to students, staff and faculty in need of emergency assistance.
“The idea behind the food pantry was always a belief that NMSU has the ability to support our own community in helping ensure they get enough food,” said Lori Haussamen, NMSU social worker. “The Aggie Cupboard is a simple and tangible way to help people be successful in their time at NMSU.”
The pantry is available to anyone with a current NMSU ID at the Christian Challenge building, at 1313 East University Ave., from 4-6 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday.
Donations can be dropped off in the Counseling Center in Garcia Annex Room 100 and arrangements for pick-ups can also be made. The organization is accepting donations of nonperishable food to stock the pantry such as; pasta, tomato sauce, canned vegetables, peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, soup and cereal.
The Aggie Cupboard also has set up an account for those wishing to donate financially at www.giving.nmsu.edu.
“The response from the campus community has been amazing,” Haussamen said. “Many groups have wanted to help and have, either by doing food drives or raising money for the Aggie Cupboard.”
For those wishing to volunteer a mandatory training will be held on Jan. 25, 2013 from 3-5 p.m.. Volunteers are in charge of setting up and distributing the food to those who come in. They also stock the food, take inventory and make sure the donated food is safe to be distributed.
The Aggie Cupboard will be closed during the holiday break and will reopen Jan. 23, 2013. However, NMSU students or staff can contact Haussamen if need food over the holiday break.
For more information on the Aggie Cupboard or volunteering contact Haussamen at 575-646-2731 or mlori@nmsu.edu.
