Maize & Blue Cupboard Fund

The Maize & Blue Cupboard is a lifeline for the U-M community. It ensures that our campus community has access to healthy food and the resources to prepare it, regardless of their financial circumstances. Last fiscal year, the cupboard had 26,000 shopping visits, making a significant difference in the lives of our students.

The Maize & Blue Cupboard is a critical resource for our community:

• 1 in 3 U-M students are food insecure
• 10% of our students - roughly 5,000 - are going without food for a day because they can’t afford it
• GPA decreases when students are hungry
• BMI increases when students have unhealthy food choices
• Vulnerable student populations have a higher risk factor

The long-term impact of the Maize and Blue Cupboard's educational programs extends well beyond students' time at the university. The skills they acquire, such as budgeting for groceries and preparing nutritious meals, equip them with practical knowledge that is invaluable as they transition into independent adulthood.

By fostering these abilities, the Cupboard helps students build a solid foundation for managing their own households and finances effectively. As a result, graduates are better prepared to face financial challenges and make informed decisions, setting them up for success in their personal and professional lives.

Your gift to the Maize and Blue Cupboard supports the food distribution services and the programs that teach valuable life skills and provide essential resources to students in need. Contributions go beyond the food on the shelves and help fund educational initiatives like cooking demonstrations and SNAP assistance, which empower students to manage their nutrition and financial resources more effectively.

With your support The Maize & Blue Cupboard can continue to provide our community with:

• FOOD: Produce, dairy, meat, bread, frozen and shelf-stable foods (i.e. rice, cans, tuna, etc.
• HOUSEHOLD GOODS: Trash bags, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, and more
• KITCHEN & COOKING ITEMS: Dishes, silverware, pots & pans, Tupperware, cutting boards, knives, and other kitchenware
• PROGRAMMING & SUPPORT: Chef demonstrations, mobile food distributions, connections to financial aid, well-being services and programs like SNAP (Michigan’s food program)