Raise Awareness
Quick Facts About the Comet Cupboard
- Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, over 1,500 students used the Comet Cupboard over 5,000 times during the fall 2019 and spring 2020 semesters.
- During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Comet Cupboard team, with the help of amazing staff volunteers, issued over 9,200 emergency food and personal care distributions.
- Since then, the Comet Cupboard has seen its user base grow to over 2,000 unique student users every academic year.
- The Comet Cupboard relies solely on donations from individuals who share the common goal of eliminating food insecurity on UT Dallas campus. #HungerFreeUTD
Relationship Between Food Insecurity and College Students
More than 8,000 Comets responded to the 2023 Your Needs Survey:
- 33.1% sometimes worried about their food running out before they could afford to purchase more food.
- 35.1% could not afford balanced meals sometimes.
- 28.4% of individuals who rely on UTD students for their needs could not afford to eat enough food, whether that be children, siblings or parents.
- 27% skipped or cut meals, and of these students, 31.7% skip or cut meals more than five times in a month.
- 25.8% ate less than they should because they couldn’t afford to buy more food.
- 22% were hungry but didn’t eat because they didn’t have enough money.
- 45.1% said that a nearby mobile food pantry would be helpful.
Food insecurity compromises a student’s ability to achieve academic success. According to college students surveyed in the College and University Food Bank Alliance’s (CUFBA) Hunger on Campus study, 53% report missing a class, 55% did not buy a required textbook, and 25% dropped a class because of hunger or housing problems.
We value each student and want to ensure they have their essential needs met in order to achieve their full potential during their academic journey at UT Dallas. Please join us to continue the mission of feeding hungry Comets. Let’s create a #HungerFreeUTD!
Get Involved
There are many ways to raise awareness for us!
- Request a presentation
- Add the Comet Cupboard to your syllabus
- House a collection bin
- Host a donation drive
- Request information flyers