Jack's Cupboard
Jack's Cupboard is the free, on-campus food pantry at South Dakota State University. Our goal is to alleviate food insecurity among SDSU students by providing food and personal care items to Jackrabbits who need them.
How it Works
- Any SDSU student experiencing food insecurity can shop the cupboard during open hours (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3-6 p.m.).
- When you visit, bring your current student ID and a reusable bag to hold your items. If you don't have a bag, you can request one at the front desk.
- You then shop from the shelves. Please only take what you would use for the week and follow any posted signs.
- After shopping, checkout at the front desk. You will be asked to scan your student ID and a volunteer at the desk will weigh your items.
- Once you have checked out, you're good to go! Students can come weekly to the cupboard, so feel free to come again.
Donations
What to Donate
Recommended donation items are listed below:
- Blocks of cheese, cream cheese, butter
- Frozen products such as pizzas, frozen dinners and meat options
- Canned soup or bagged soup mixes
- Pasta and pasta sauces
- Bread, rice and other grains
- Evaporated, powdered, and boxed milk
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Dried fruits
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Canned chicken and canned tuna
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Condiments
- Pre-packaged snack items
- Cake, brownie and pancake mixes
- Baking items (baking soda, baking powder, salt, etc.)
- Personal care items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, tampons, pads, shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc.)
Please note: donated food must be pre-packaged items that are shelf-stable or can be frozen.
Where to Donate
Donations are accepted at Jack's Cupboard during hours of operation, the Housing and Residential Life Office weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the University Student Union during hours of operation, or at the University Police Station (24/7).
If you have a large donation, please contact sdsu.jackscupboard@sdstate.edu to set up a drop-off time.
Organizing a Donation Drive
Student organizations and community members can organize donation drives to benefit Jack's Cupboard. If you plan to organize one please contact SDSU.jackscupboard@sdstate.edu to let us know. We will answer any questions you may have and coordinate a drop-off time for donations once your drive is complete.
Give to Jack's Cupboard
If you would like to make a monetary donation to Jack's Cupboard you can do so online through the South Dakota State University Foundation.
Volunteer at Jack's Cupboard
Staff can volunteer for the Spring semester at Jack's Cupboard.
Volunteer responsibilities include assisting shoppers with check-out, distributing freezer items and items in the glass cabinet to shoppers, and completing opening and closing tasks.
Hours of Operation
Jack's Cupboard is open for the Spring 2025 semester on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m.
Hours are subject to change due to weather, holiday breaks and at the beginning of a new semester. Check back here for updates on hours of operation.
Location
Jack's Cupboard is located on the Southeast side of Ben Reifel Hall. There are free 20-minute parking spaces available for easily accessible parking.
The interactive map allows users to plot directions between buildings and show locations of highlighted features and services across the SDSU campus. Click on the image below to direct you to the SDSU interactive map.
If you are facing food insecurity and are short of block meals at Larson Commons, click the link to learn how you can either donate meal block or apply for additional block through the Swipe Out Hunger program. Note, this program only runs the last few weeks of each semester.
Food Recovery Network is a nationally affiliated organization that recovers leftover food from campus partners and donates it to non-profits fighting food insecurity, diverting this food from the landfill. Since the organization’s founding in 2019, FRN volunteers have saved over 1,500 pounds of fresh food and transported it in reusable containers to nonprofits at SDSU.
Meals are available for pick up at Jack’s Cupboard during operating hours (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3-6 p.m.)
If you are interested in fighting food waste and improving campus sustainability by volunteering with SDSU Food Recovery Network, or have questions, contact our Instagram:
@sdstatefrn
Interested in volunteering to fight food waste and food insecurity?
