Cougar Cupboard Food Pantry Back Up and Running Thanks to Community Support

Food in the college's Cougar Cupboard was lost due to water damage from a broken pipe. The food pantry offers much needed support to Clinton's students and was relocated to another area of the college.

After hearing about the damage, Jessica Wyser, the college's purchasing clerk, and David Macalpine, a student and member of Clinton's board of trustees, stepped in to help. They reached out to their historical reenactment group for support. Donations poured in from across the region—including Montreal, Potsdam, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maryland, and New York—from people in all kinds of professions: corrections officers, general contractors, librarians, federal employees, Stewart’s workers, property managers, and even retired military personnel.

Jessica shared the pantry’s story, explaining how it’s largely supported by student donations and how heartbreaking the loss was for those who worked so hard to stock it. Many donors could relate, having faced food insecurity themselves, and were eager to step up and make a difference.

After the donations were delivered, Clinton students and AmeriCorps members Victor Dueno, Alex Cone, and Joshua Hunter got to work sorting items, organizing shelves, and restocking the pantry. Thanks to their hard work, students can once again count on the Cougar Cupboard for healthy food options and support during tough times.

                  (In the photo from left to right: Victor Dueno, Alex Cone, Joshua Hunter)

The Cougar Cupboard is a vital resource for Clinton Community College students, and the outpouring of generosity proves just how much this community cares.