St. John Food Cupboard

A ministry of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. John Student Center
The Food Cupboard serves those in need by offering fresh produce, dry-good items,
a selection of toiletries, and a $5 Meijer gift card.  Our clients are enrolled parishioners,
residents of East Lansing, and individuals who have an MSU I.D.  At peak times during the year,
as many as 60 households are served on Saturdays at the Food Cupboard.
We will be open from 8:00am to 10:00am every Saturday.

How you can help:  The Food Cupboard relies on the generosity of parishioners for donations of dry-good and personal-hygiene items, as well as monetary contributions.  See our wish list* if you would like to donate items (donation bins are available at both St. Thomas and St. John Student Center). If you wish to contribute financially, you may designate your gift to the Food Cupboard via the parish’s online giving option.

Volunteer: The Food Cupboard relies on volunteers (high school age and above) for:  shopping for select items at the area Meijer store, picking up our weekly produce order, sorting and stocking items for the Food Cupboard, packaging the food for distribution, and assisting guests when the Food Cupboard is open.  Volunteers are welcome to assist once or on a regular basis.  Simply add your name and contact information to the sign up form.  If you have questions, just contact our volunteer coordinator (refer to the sign-up form).

Covid 19 Precautions:  The Food Cupboard is operating on a “pre-packaged” basis due to the Covid 19 pandemic.  This minimizes wait times and helps to ensure that guests observe social-distancing practices without the need to enter the building.  Once we are past the pandemic, the Food Cupboard will return to the practice of inviting guests to shop for themselves.
 

About the St. Vincent de Paul Society:  The SJSC St. Vincent de Paul Society helps neighbors in need through three projects – the Food Cupboard, preparing a monthly meal for the homeless at Advent House, and an “Adopt a Family” Christmas project that provides gifts and a generous assortment of food items to 20 families.   Interested in learning more about the mission of SVdPS?  Take a few moments and read The Rule.

We welcome new members to join us at our monthly meetings (held via Zoom during the Covid 19 pandemic) the second Tuesday of each month from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.  (Email or phone our volunteer coordinator for meeting or membership details; refer to the sign up form for contact information).

*Wish List: Items that are always in need at the food cupboard include white rice, canned fruit, juice, tuna fish, cereal, plain pasta, pasta sauce, canned soup, snacks, crackers, ramen noodles, paper products, cleaning products, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant.

*Please note, that if there is money available in the SVDP account, it may be shared with other Conferences to make sure that those with the greatest need in our area are served.