At the start of August, Organ Mountain Outfitters launched a special edition t-shirt, OMO X ASNMSU. Although all merchandise they create and sell is significant because of their, “Buy a shirt. Give a lunch. Change our community” slogan, this apparel item was particularly essential to the New Mexico State University community.

Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from every purchase of that special edition shirt was donated to help the Aggie Cupboard.

Aggie Cupboard is an organization on campus that helps assist the NMSU community with free food security.

There is no budget for Aggie Cupboard, therefore everything that is distributed is solely from donations. 

The contribution from Organ Mountain Outfitters and the people of Las Cruces have impacted the Aggie Cupboard immensely.

Meg Long, program specialist for social services and head of Aggie Cupboard expressed how seeing the shirt made her feel.

“I just get so happy when I see that shirt,” Long said. “Sometimes the people wearing it are unaware of the contribution they made so I try to stop them and thank them for buying it. It has helped so many people already.”

Long said last week about 126 clients who came to the cupboard, each receiving bags of nonperishable food at least 13 pounds in weight. Food bags are distributed every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

“Unfortunately, this time of year it’s hard for students to get what they need, many are faced with the decision of buying books or buying groceries,” Long said.  “Everyone always jokes about how college students have to eat Ramen Noodles every day, but sometimes that is a sad truth and that is not healthy. We want our students to be successful, and if they are constantly worried about where their next meal is going to come from or how they’re going to provide food for their families, they won’t be able to focus on their schooling.”

In April, The Aggie Cupboard added an additional resource for the NMSU community called, The Mobile Food Pantry.

The Mobile Food Pantry distributes perishable food every fourth Tuesday of every month at Preciado Park on the corner of Gregg and Sweet St..

The Aggie Cupboard and Mobile Food Pantry is available to everyone, staff, faculty, undergrad, or graduate student as long as they have a valid NMSU I.D. The last distribution from the food pantry was on Tuesday, August 28. Over 90 people showed up and all went home with some food essentials, according to Long.

“People bring boxes, rolling suitcases, hampers, whatever they can find since typically people get to leave with about 50 pounds worth of food,” Long said. 

Distribution for The Mobile Food Pantry begins at 12:00 p.m. with a first come, first serve policy. 

“Aggie Cupboard has helped me so much,” NMSU junior Cynthia Romero said. “Just knowing someone out there cares and the fact that while I’m at NMSU, I won’t go hungry means a lot to me.”

Aggie Cupboard Mobile Food Pantry fall distribution dates: September 25, October 23 and  November 27.