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Unexpected obstacles can often come up in life no matter how well prepared someone is. Loss of safe housing, inability to pay a large bill, or not having enough food for a full week of meals are issues that are unfortunately not uncommon. For the over 500 users of 91̽»¨â€™s food pantry, Cats’ Cupboard, the basic needs resources the University provides can be life changing.

As the holiday season approaches, Cats’ Cupboard staff want to make sure the shelves remain well stocked for whatever members of the OHIO community might need. As part of this effort, University partners launched the #KindnessIsFood initiative, an uplifting campaign designed to address food insecurity not only on campus but also within the broader community. This campaign, active until Dec. 14, aligns seamlessly with the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact’s #OperationHummingbird, an initiative promoting deliberate acts of kindness.

The campaign aims to channel support toward Cats' Cupboard Food Pantry, a valuable campus resource for individuals confronting food insecurity, through the goals of $10,000 in monetary donations, 2,000 pounds of food donations, and strengthened awareness of the food pantry resources.

Those interested in supporting the campaign can organize mini food drives within their department or community, purchase items off the pantry’s , directly to the pantry, or drop off any of the high need items below:

• Pasta, rice, ramen, canned tomatoes or corn, canned beans or tuna, canned fruits, cereal, oatmeal, dried beans, fruit cups, microwave lunches
• Baking supplies like flour, sugar, baking powder, and chocolate chips
• Holiday meal supplies like cranberry sauce, cornbread mix, potatoes, egg noodles, and yams
• Personal hygiene supplies like sanitary pads, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste
• Pet supplies like canned cat or dog food

For anyone facing food insecurity, whether seeking one-time assistance or consistently relying on the pantry, .