In fall 2024, CU Denver and UCCS participated in Food Fight, a friendly fundraising competition to raise money for the food pantries on each campus. Your support during this inaugural Food Fight campaign made an incredible impact.
Nearly half of college students struggle with food insecurity which can impact their health, grades, relationships and more. Campus food pantries provide a crucial safety net—and they supply more than food. CU Denver and UCCS students can also grab essentials including toiletries and baby care items, get connected with mental health resources and housing services, and find a welcoming space where they are met with kindness and support.
Thanks to you, we’re knocking out hunger and helping students succeed at CU Denver and UCCS!
Your Impact
350+ donors raised nearly $35,000
200+ donors raised more than $17,000 for Milo’s Market at CU Denver
160+ donors raised more than $16,000 for Clyde’s Cupboard at UCCS
Food Fight Donors Are:
29% Alumni
6% Students
10% Parents
32% Faculty/Staff
5% Friends
Quick facts about Milo’s Market, CU Denver’s free grocery store
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Pantry usage increased from 3,000 to 7,000 students per semester in fall 2024
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Provides fresh produce, dry and canned goods, dairy products, easy meals, hygiene items and more
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Recently expanded with refrigerators and more fresh produce
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Participates in Swipe Out Hunger, a program that allows students to donate meal swipes to those needing food assistance
“With the massive increase in food pantry usage this semester, we were entering a very challenging budget situation. Before this campaign, we were unsure what we would be able to offer for the spring 2025 semester due to our dwindling funds. These funds are absolutely crucial to keeping our market open and will allow us to continue to serve students in a nourishing capacity next semester.”
—Victoria Watson, M.Ed, Assistant Director of Health Promotions & Basic Needs, CU Denver
Learn more about Milo’s Market
Quick facts about Clyde’s Cupboard, UCCS’s campus food pantry
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Students can visit the pantry once a week for 8–10 nonperishable food items and five hygiene items
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Fresh Food Fridays provide fresh produce, dairy products and more
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Through the Mountain Lion Meals program, students can sign up for three free meals a week at on-campus dining halls
“Donors have made a real difference for us. The total dollars raised could fund almost an entire semester of weekly restocks for Clyde’s Cupboard. If we were to dedicate the money raised from the campaign to our Fresh Food Friday Program, it could fund two full academic years of Fresh Food Fridays!”
—Amber Gilson, Basic Needs Coordinator