Student initiatives help feed and expand Catherine’s Cupboard

In spring 2024, Abigail Mensonides ’24, a double major in social work and sociology and anthropology, worked with Salve Regina University’s Center for Community Engagement and Service to create Catherine’s Cupboard for her senior capstone project. The anonymous food pantry named in honor of Salve’s founder, Catherine McAuley, helps combat food insecurity faced by anyone in the Salve community. It’s also a place where students can find community resources posted about job opportunities and other food accessibility programs.

In the year since its opening, Catherine’s Cupboard has become an important community resource, with nearly 1,000 people accessing its stock, which is replenished through collections at masses held by the Center for Spiritual Life, grants and generous donations from the community. The cupboard has also expanded beyond providing food alone, offering hygiene products, clothing and books, and acting as a listing source of resources available through community partners.

It has since moved from its original location to accommodate its expanding inventory and is now based in the Center for Community Engagement and Service, in the lower level of Our Lady of Mercy Chapel.

This year, another student undertook a meaningful role in the cupboard’s operation. Jacob Stolberg, a senior secondary education and mathematics double major and Newman Civic fellow, co-wrote a proposal to secure a grant through the Newman Civic Fellowship, sponsored by the Allstate Foundation, to fund a monthly on-campus meal series that would bring awareness to the cupboard program and get feedback on how it could better serve the University community. The food for the events was sourced locally, from the culinary program at Rogers High School and local bakeries. The award also included funds to stock the pantry with items for students, faculty and staff who were not able to return home during school breaks.

Jacob Stolberg, senior secondary education and mathematics major.

“In using the grant and working with Kelly Powers, director of community engagement and service, I’ve come to understand just how many members of the Salve community the cupboard supports. It’s extremely important for this resource to continue to get funding,” said Stolberg. “One of the larger groups that uses it are international students, and we’re working with a student representative from the Student Government Association, who is an international student herself, to obtain a list of food and snacks that remind international students of home.”

Stolberg’s work highlights how Catherine’s Cupboard continues to evolve – not just as a food resource, but as a point of cultural connection and community care. The initiative is actively expanding its offerings to better reflect the diversity of Salve’s campus.

“I’ve been extremely happy with how the community meals have turned out and we’re bringing more awareness to the cupboard to hopefully expand the program in the future,” shared Stolberg.

“Students are an integral part of Catherine’s Cupboard,” said Powers. “It started with an idea from Abigail to develop the cupboard and integrate it into the course SWK190: History of Social Work and Social Welfare Policy, so students could create policies for how it is operated and run.”

That original classroom idea has blossomed into a University-supported effort that empowers students to take real ownership of their impact. Powers emphasized how the initiative remains student-led at every level.

“It continued with Jacob’s idea to provide thoughtful and meaningful meals where we learn from the Salve community what they want and need, and it’s growing through the efforts of the center and the students who volunteer and support it.”

Now it’s your turn

Catherine’s Cupboard mission statement.

As the spring 2025 semester wraps up, the Center for Community Engagement and Service will place donation boxes around campus to collect non-perishable food items, clothing and books to stock the cupboard’s shelves. As you pack up to head out, please consider donating these items instead of throwing them away. Look for the boxes from May 1-16, in all residence halls. If you have larger items or you can’t find the donation box, please reach out to community.services@salve.edu or 401-341-2440. All items will be donated to Catherine’s Cupboard, Conexión Latina Newport and the Newport Housing Hotline.