Support Campus Kitchen

Help support our program.

Donation Ideas

The Campus Kitchen at Minnesota State University, Mankato hosts several food drives during the year. We distribute items to many community partners: ECHO Food Shelf, MY Place Mankato (formerly Boys & Girls Club), Salvation Army, Open Door Clinic, Maple River Loaves and Fishes, South Central College, Holy Grounds, and Campus Cupboard. When we hold food drives, we often support the Maverick Food Pantry and the BackPack Food Program, especially when we receive items they can use. Here are some general things you might consider donating and we can deliver on our regular agency visits:

• Canned fruits, veggies, or protein
• Canned/Cups of soup
• Dried beans, peas, or rice
• Jars of peanut butter, jelly, cheese, or pasta sauces
• Toilet paper, tissues, soap, and other hygiene products, especially feminine hygine.
• Plastic wrap, Ziploc bags, or ways to store leftovers (SNAP doesn't cover these items, but important to have!)
• Sugar, spices, salt, pepper, ketchup... think of what you would use at a meal.
• All items should be unopened and not expired.

Campus Kitchen at Minnesota State University, Mankato Donation List:

Non-food items:

• Paper bags
• Craft paper food cups with vented lids (for soup distribution)
• Commercial size aluminum foil and plastic wrap
• Non-latex food handler gloves
• Stainless steel pans
• Boxes of Ziploc bags (sandwich, quart, and gallon)

Food items (Still in the unopened box/can or must be cooked in a commercial kitchen):

• Instant potatoes
• Cooked chicken /cooked ground beef (preferably canned or frozen)
• Soups (canned or frozen)
• Fresh or canned fruits and vegetables
• Tuna and other canned protein sources
• Peanut butter and jelly

Financial contributions may be sent to:

Minnesota State University, Mankato
173 CSU
Mankato, MN 56001

Attention: The Campus Kitchen at MSU, Mankato

Please make checks out to "Campus Kitchen at Minnesota State University, Mankato"

Or visit our online donation portal to make a financial donation:

Online Financial Donation for Campus Kitchen (click "More Giving Options")

Thank you for your time, attention, and generosity!

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How to Volunteer

Students

To volunteer for a shift at the Campus Kitchen at Minnesota State University, Mankato, students should visit our InvolveU page and sign up for a shift. If you would like to be a shift leader, apply here.

Visit our Involve U Page

Large Groups or Learning Communities

Because of the popularity of service at the Campus Kitchen at Minnesota State University, Mankato, contact us about 3-4 weeks before you would like your group to serve in the Campus Kitchen. If kitchen slots are full, Campus Kitchen staff can work with you to come up with other ways you can learn and serve. 

Non-Minnesota State University Volunteers at Campus Kitchen

Although Minnesota State University, Mankato students fill our shifts, we occasionally look to others to help us complete our tasks. Limited space is available. If you are interested in helping, just once or regularly, contact Karen Anderson or Crystal Watts. 

Campus Kitchen Simmers through Academic Breaks!

Volunteers are needed to package and deliver meals during academic breaks. Packaging takes place from 1:30-4 pm on Wednesdays. There is also an opportunity to assist with delivery, food recovery and facilities management. Volunteer slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Want to sign up or need more information? Call 507-389-6076. 

Drivers for a Shift

Are You Willing and Able to be a Volunteer Driver?

If you are willing to be a volunteer driver, please visit the link below and complete the Minnesota State University, Mankato driving eligibility form. It is a university and state requirement to be an approved driver if delivery or food harvest is your volunteer task. 

Fill out the online vehicle form

As a volunteer driver, you will be:

• Driving the meals (in coolers) and other volunteers to the Campus Kitchen clients
• Traveling between 5-10 miles per shift
• Helping Campus Kitchen out SO MUCH because we deliver 140 meals per week!
• Generally, delivery takes about 60-90 minutes and takes place weekly on Tuesday mornings or afternoons.

Once approved as a driver, you will be added to an Involve U group within Community Engagement Office and you can sign up for the shifts you would like to cover.

In addition to being a University-approved driver, you will also need to show proof of car insurance and your driver’s license, and sign a volunteer agreement.

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Operations Schedule

Campus Kitchen at Minnesota State University, Mankato Schedule of Operations:

Academic Year Spring Schedule 2022-2023:

Sundays

• 4-6:00 pm - Packaging Shift (4- volunteers)

Mondays

• 8-9 am - Delivery to South Central College
• 12-2pm - Meal Planning (1-2 volunteers)
• 4:30-5:30 pm - Packaging for regular meals Shift (4 volunteers)
• 5:30-6:30 pm - Packaging for MY Place Mankato Meals (4 volunteers)

Tuesdays

• 8-9:30 am - Delivery Shift (1-2 volunteers)
• 9:30-10:30 am - Harvest for MY Place Mankato Meals (1-2 volunteers)
• 2:30-3:30pm – Delivery Shift for Boys and Girls Club (1-2 volunteers)

Wednesdays

• 8:45-11:30 am - Driver for Harvest/Food Recovery Shift (1-2 volunteers)
• 9:30am-11:30pm - Processors  for Harvest/Food Recovery Shift (1-2 volunteers)
• 1:30-2:30 pm - Harvest from University Dining Center (1-2 volunteers)

Thursdays

• 8:30-9:30pm - Panera Harvest (1-2 volunteers)

Fridays

• 12:15 pm-2:45 pm - Bulk Food Packing (4 volunteers)

Summer Schedule 2023:

Wednesdays

• 1:30 -4:30 pm - Packaging Shift (4 volunteers) (unless otherwise arranged)

To sign up for summer volunteer shifts, contact the Community Engagement Office via email. 

Visit The Community Engagement Office Involve U Page here

Volunteer training is done at the beginning of each shift and is managed by student shift leaders.