One Ball State Day 2021

“Student Helping Students” 

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. Cardinal Kitchen is a student-run organization. 

Our mission is to reduce food insecurity and promote healthy eating on Ball State’s campus.  During the 2018-19 academic year, we saw 574 clients with a total of 1,242 visits.  Just last year, we had a record number of clients at 617 with a total of 1,286 visits.

Cardinal Kitchen has been combating food insecurity for students for six 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. 

In addition to non-perishable food items, Cardinal Kitchen also offers toiletry items, including, but not limited to: toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. In addition to the need for non-perishable food items and toiletry items, Cardinal Kitchen is in need of a new location.  

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. 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. 

Funds that are donated to Cardinal Kitchen may go to the following items or initiatives but are not limited to: purchase of non-perishable food items, purchase of toiletry items, equipment needed to run the kitchen, and relocation costs of Cardinal Kitchen.