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About two years ago, a student asked whether the Cougar Cupboard—the on-campus resource for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville—had school supplies available. At the time, it did not. "I said, 'We don’t have any school supplies, but we’re going to change that,'" Lealia Williams, Student Care and Advocacy Coordinator in the SIUE Office of Student Affairs, recalled.

That conversation led to the School Supply Giveaway, which has continued as students seek assistance with expenses beyond food.  
This semester, 170 students received items during the giveaway, with approximately 668.65 pounds of school supplies valued at $4,886.50 distributed. Items included folders, notebooks, planners, backpacks, calculators, compasses, index cards, pens, pencils and flash drives.

The Cougar Cupboard followed the school supply event with a Hygiene Kit Giveaway, distributing 49 kits containing approximately $1,472.16 worth of personal hygiene items. This year, the kits also included washcloths and towels, which had not been available for previous giveaways.

"We are able to have these different events for our students, so they don’t have to worry about where they’re going to get money from to make their college experience a little bit easier and less stressful," Williams said.

On September 22, the Cougar Cupboard hosted its third Athletic Clothing Giveaway at the Student Fitness Center’s Wellness Center. The event followed a campus-wide collection of gently used athletic wear from students, faculty and staff—an initiative that began after students expressed interest in working out or participating in sports but did not have the proper clothing or equipment.

Cougar Cupboard further has a full fall calendar planned to help students stock up on essentials. Here are this semester’s upcoming events:

• Dine to Donate — The event runs Sept. 27 from 4-8 p.m. at the Chipotle located at 2200 Troy Road in Edwardsville, where students, faculty and staff can donate to Cougar Cupboard by grabbing a bite. Please mention the Cougar Cupboard when you check out at Chipotle. For online orders, please use this code when checking out: QQFD9TY

• National Hair Day — On Oct. 1, from noon to 2 p.m., students can visit the MUC's Goshen Lounge to pick up free hair care products and resources.

• Clothing Drive and Giveaway — A campus-wide clothing drive collecting winter wear, runs Oct. 5-23, with donation bins at MUC 0012 and RH 2306. This fall's winter clothing giveaway is set for Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Goshen Lounge.