Relocate Cardinal Kitchen

Who are we? 

Cardinal Kitchen is an on-campus food pantry that services Ball State students and their families. Cardinal Kitchen was created through a Student Government Association (SGA) initiative in the fall of 2014. 

Our Mission

Our mission is to reduce food insecurity and promote healthy eating on Ball State’s campus. During the 2015-16 school year, we saw over 300 clients with a total of 1,000 individual visits. During the 2016-17 school year, we saw 467 clients with a total of 980 visits. And just last year, during the 2017-2018 school year, we saw a record number of 570 clients with a total of 1,328 visits to the pantry.

Combating Food Insecurity for Fellow Cardinals

Cardinal Kitchen has been combating food insecurity for students for four years, and we are currently located at the Multicultural Center. Our services are available to all undergraduate and graduate students, as well as their families. 

We currently operate out of a small room (approximately 3 by 4 yards) on the second floor of the building that has no room for growth, and we are struggling to help our growing number of clients. We would like to raise money for a new location on-campus that would be more client friendly and provides more space for food storage. We are currently looking at a space on campus, in the basement of the student center!  As our numbers have continued to multiply, the need for a new location has become increasingly evident. We are currently based out of the Multicultural Center but are looking to move into a private, "Cardinal Kitchen only" space where we can better serve our clients by providing refrigerated food as well as a better sense of anonymity.

Here's how YOU can make a difference

• Your gift to Cardinal Kitchen can ensure that we continue the crucial work we have started. With our emphasis on keeping client anonymity, a Cardinal Kitchen-only space is not only wanted but needed for our students' privacy. Reaching our goal of $10,000 would allow us to rent a larger space making it more student-friendly and better equipped to handle Cardinal Kitchen operations. All funds will go towards the purchase of the new location and the cost of any renovations that may be needed. We would move and continue to use our current supplies: shelving units, storage bins, and stored food at the new venue. 
• Your support will help fund a new location and continue our mission of feeding hungry students, encouraging healthy eating on campus, as well as provide a safe and anonymous place for students and their families.

Food items we currently offer:

• Canned Fruit 
• Jelly/Jam 
• Peanut Butter
• Granola/Breakfast Bars
• Nuts
• Dried Fruit
• Cereal or Oatmeal 
• Juice
• Ramen/Noodle Dinner
• Canned Protein, Beans or Meat 
• Macaroni and Cheese 
• Pasta 
• Pasta Sauce 
• Mashed Potato Mix 
• Spaghettios/Chef Boyardee
• Canned Vegetables 
• Soup
• Fresh Fruit
• Fresh Vegetables 
• Fresh Bread
• Toiletries 

Please consider giving to Cardinal Kitchen and help us relocate, so we can continue to grow and help students combat food insecurity. Find out more about Cardinal Kitchen and see first-hand the impact your gift will have by following us on Facebook