BY Ki Reedy / Full360 Correspondent

Not every student can afford the expenses of toiletries, food or clothing. That’s where Caesar’s Cupboard comes in.

Caesar’s Cupboard is a free service provided by Delaware Valley University’s Student Involvement Center to help student who self-identifies as someone in need.

“It is a pantry sort of way to speak, that the Student Involvement provides. It has different supplies such as food, sanitary products, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene supplies It is free for any student, they just must fill out a form, we will pack it up for them, and then they will pick it up from the mail center,” said Andrew Szalus, a student and student worker of the Student Involvement Center.

The student does not need to provide or demonstrate their need for products. There are multiple ways to monetize the cupboard, the students who get provided the products will stay anonymous, and no information will be spread. Caesar’s Cupboard started around four years ago and has been a recipient of the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus Initiative. Students who feel embarrassed about buying certain products will be anonymously given their products, therefore no one will know who is getting the item, just that someone in need needs them. Not even Student Involvement will know, they only know what items to box up, and to send them to the mail center. 

An example of this would be a student who requires feminine hygiene products but is not able to buy them because of expenses, they can go to fill out the form on Delaware Valley University’s website, then they would click on Caesar’s Cupboard, and finally request items using Caesar’s Cupboard request form. Their name will be anonymous, the Student Involvement Program will box the items and then send them to the mail center, and in the end, the student will receive that package when they get their notification from the mail center to pick it up. 

To Support Caesar’s Cupboard

There are many ways to support Caesar’s Cupboard. One way is monetarily donating to the development office; you can also send a check to it. Gift cards are accepted as long as they are an Amazon gift card. Students can purchase items from Caesar’s Amazon wish list. Students who require the supplies from Caesar’s Cupboard can fill in a form to request items anonymously, then they will get a notification from the mail center when their items are ready to be received. 

Justin Brouse, the assistant director of Student Involvement said, “We are largely funded by a grant where we have partnered with Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus Initiative. They give us money each year to help cupboard stocked, and it is our second year partnering with them as a recipient.”

Students who are in need and do not have enough money or resources to provide for themselves can request a form to get whatever they need, in the safety of anonymity. 

Caesar’s Cupboard is a vital resource that provides students with necessary supplies while maintaining their anonymity. Through the continued support of grants, donations, and the commitment of the Student Involvement Center, the initiative fosters a caring and supportive campus community. Students facing financial hardships can confidently access the resources they need, ensuring their well-being and success at Delaware Valley University.