Breaking News
Local news

The Haven Cupboard opens new location at East Campus Science Center

By BREANNA HANLEY bhanley@lockhaven.com 5 min read

LOCK HAVEN -- The permanent closure of NanoBites at the East Campus Science Center at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven towards the end of the Spring 2023 semester left the space vacant, and open for new opportunities.

And that new opportunity has taken shape in a new space for The Haven Cupboard.

Three of the Haven Cupboard student staff -- Allison Dezanet, Madison Buxton and Olivia Hanna -- took the initiative to request the vacant space be used for the cupboard.

The Haven Cupboard first opened its doors in October 2019, when students identified concerns about food insecurity on campus.

In its first year, the Haven Cupboard served nearly 450 individual university students -- around 65-70 students per week.

Now, according to Dr. Amy Downes, Associate Vice President of Student Success and Campus Life and Haven Cupboard Director, the cupboard has served 740 individual students since Aug. 9 -- around 125 students each week.

"We're trying to reduce the shame around food insecurity or basic need insecurity and help people understand college is expensive. If you listen to students they'll tell you what they need. If you listen, students will come. The ultimate goal is when students graduate and get jobs that they remember us and give back. That's how you pay it forward. Everything we do, we do with love," said Downes.

The cupboard has been a vital source for students to address food security, relieving economic stress and taking the stigma out of poverty. The cupboard remained open throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic to help bridge the gap between those impacted by the pandemic and a reliable source of food.

"I love it here, work-wise and student-wise," said Dezanet, who has been with the cupboard for three years. "It has given me a major purpose on campus. It gave me a family, and as a student it has saved me a lot of money. It's great to find a place like this on campus that is truly about students."

Haven Cupboard student staff gave tours to members of the public who came to the open house, excitedly showing everyone what they're doing with the space they were given.

The increased space includes a walk-in refrigerator and freezer as well as increased storage space for shelf-safe items. Staff members swap out items weekly to give students a variety of choices.

They couldn't do it alone, though. With generous donations the cupboard is able to reach as many students as possible.

Weis Markets in Lock Haven was in attendance at the open house, and presented Downes and the Haven Cupboard Staff with a check for $1,000, as well as reusable bags for students to put their pantry items in.

"We'd like to congratulate the Haven Cupboard on their 4th year of service to (CU-Lock Haven!) Our team is always in awe of the hard work and dedication by the cupboard staff and volunteers. To see this program go from an idea to what it is now has been such a gift. They're such a vital part of the community and provide a much needed service. We wish (the Haven Cupboard) continued success and thank (them) for all that they do," said Ashley Peters, Store Manager at Weis Markets in Lock Haven.

"They say the world might not be kind, but it's really up to us to change that," said Mac Kownacki, of Weis Markets in Lock Haven. "If 'children are the future' they need to know that they have people and places to go to."

The Haven Cupboard also has a partnership with the New Love Center based in Jersey Shore. The New Love Center food pantry serves residents from Jersey Shore, Linden, Nippenose Valley, Waterville, Cammal, Slate Run, Avis, Woolrich, McElhattan, Lock Haven and Flemington.

"We're very grateful for our partnerships with Weis Markets and the New Love Center. They support us so much," said Downes.

Madison Buxton, who has been with the Haven Cupboard for around three years, offered her experience working at the cupboard.

"This is our third move since I've been with the program. Recognizing and understanding the need students have for food truly opened my eyes to understand that they need help. It's not easy and money situations are difficult. (It's important to) be welcome and open to all students so that they don't feel embarrassed to go and ask for help," said Buxton.

With the increased space they now have available, they also have plans for the space to become an area where students can come to study and relax.

The Haven Hangout has plans to open in Spring of 2024, where students will be able to hang out, study, brew their own coffee, tea or hot chocolate and make use of microwaves available.

To help support the Haven Cupboard, you can:

-- Drop off donations during their open hours, Wednesdays 4-6 p.m. and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m.

-- Make a financial contribution to The Haven Cupboard through the Lock Haven University Foundation at www.givetolhu.com (in the designation section select "Other" from the drop-down list, a white box will appear, type "Haven Cupboard" in the box) or place a check (made payable to LHUF-Haven Cupboard) in inter-office mail to the LHU Foundation.

-- Shop The Haven Cupboard's Amazon wish list at Haven Cupboard Wish List.

Starting at /week.