For many students at the CSN, the biggest challenge isn’t just passing exams or juggling work and school—it’s figuring out where their next meal is coming from.
That’s where Coyote Cupboard comes in. CSN’s on-campus food pantry is more than just a shelf of canned goods—it’s a lifeline for thousands of students facing food insecurity.
Take Daniel Marin, a Tourism, Conventions, and Event Planning student. He’s a regular at the pantry and says it makes all the difference in his ability to stay focused.
“The Coyote Cupboard helps me be effective in school. It provides basic ingredients like milk, canned fruit, grains, and chicken, which help me prepare meals before and after class. Without this resource, I’d struggle to afford food, and that would impact my studies.”
Daniel is far from alone. In the last year, CSN students visited the cupboard 10,851 times—far more than food pantries at larger institutions like UNLV (2,415 visits) or Nevada State University (540 visits). That’s because, for many CSN students, food insecurity isn’t just an occasional struggle—it’s an ongoing reality.
Adrienne Finlay, a Sociology major, puts it plainly:
“Having a food pantry on campus eases financial stress and ensures I can focus on my studies without worrying about where my next meal is coming from. Without it, I’d face significant hardship.”
And for Robyn Fisher, a Nursing student, the cupboard is quite literally keeping her family fed.
“Over the past year, I’ve faced homelessness off and on, which has made it incredibly difficult to provide for myself and my three family members. The pantry gives us access to nutritious food when we have nowhere else to turn. Without this support, I’d have to choose between groceries and essentials like temporary housing.”
The Coyote Cupboard relies on donations to keep its shelves stocked with essential food items like canned vegetables, fruit, tuna, chicken, shelf-stable milk, pasta, and sauce. Every dollar counts:
If you’re a CSN employee, you can set up a payroll donation through the CSN Employee Giving Program to directly support the Coyote Cupboard. Signing up is easy, and your contribution will make a real difference for students who just need a little extra support to stay on track.
Visit the CSN Foundation’s Employee Giving Program, Payroll Deduction or contact Danita Simons, Executive Director of the CSN Foundation, at foundation@csn.edu.
Education is hard enough without worrying about where your next meal is coming from. By donating today, you’re helping ensure CSN students can focus on their future—not their hunger.
