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UT Dallas Celebrates Comet Cupboard Expansion

By: Christina Pugliese | December 5, 2023

Hillary Campbell smiling to guests visiting the Comet Cupboard.
Hillary Campbell, director of the Comet Cupboard, led guests around the new space.

On Nov. 13, donors, corporate partners, faculty and students at The University of Texas at Dallas kicked off Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week by celebrating the expansion of the Comet Cupboard at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the cupboard’s new space.

Originally opened in a converted file storage closet in the Eugene McDermott Library nearly 10 years ago, the Comet Cupboard has now expanded into its own, much larger, space. It was a collaborative project made possible by dozens of student volunteers, generous donations from community partners and a $75,000 grant from the North Texas Food Bank.

“The new space is great,” said Justin Mazzeo, a community partner coordinator at the North Texas Food Bank. “What we can do from the grant perspective is give others the resources to build out their mission. It’s really the work of UTD and all its volunteers to make this work and get the news out to people. We are excited to see this grow.”

The grant paid for a wider door frame to allow for larger shipments of food, plus four times the cabinetry and storage shelving of the old space. Additionally, the Comet Cupboard now possesses its own three-section display freezer, which enables the cupboard to stock a wider variety of foods and prevent food from rotting. The funding also aids with technology essentials, such as new computers and televisions to help with nutrition education, maintenance costs and salary assistance for a program specialist position.

Note posted on glass freezer door.
With new technology comes new challenges for those utilizing the Comet Cupboard, which was given the funding for a three-section freezer to carry a wider range of food options.

“This space allows for a lot more opportunities in student development,” said Chase Mueller, a psychology senior and Comet Cupboard volunteer. “I’m able to expand my skills and serve more people, which is ultimately the goal of the Comet Cupboard at the end of the day.”

Corporate partners like H-E-B and State Farm have also supported the Comet Cupboard.

“It is rewarding to witness the recent expansion of the Comet Cupboard,” said Princella McNair, a corporate responsibility analyst at State Farm. “Our employees have enjoyed building community with the Comet Cupboard through food drive support. State Farm is proud to help remove food insecurity as a barrier to students achieving an education and realizing their dreams.”

Generous gifts from individual donors like Deanna and Brewster Waddell are helping contribute to the continual upkeep of the Comet Cupboard. With three times the volunteer capacity, increased hours and a constant demand for food and other household essentials, their gifts are critical to ensuring the cupboard’s successful operations.

Comet Cupboard donors Deanna and Brewster Waddell with their son, Highland Waddell.
Comet Cupboard donors Deanna and Brewster Waddell with their son, Highland Waddell, a sophomore studying arts, technology and emerging communication. Highland plans to volunteer in the cupboard in the coming year.

“There is a lot of space to walk around and view the different things they have to give away,” said Brewster Waddell, CEO of Participation Designs, who has contributed more than $100,000 to the Comet Cupboard along with his wife, Deanna. “But since it’s a lot bigger, it has a lot more shelves that need to be stocked. So, we donated $5,000 to the Comet Cupboard to specifically stock those shelves full.”

In the upcoming months, the Comet Cupboard hopes to expand to a mobilize the food pantry with a food truck carrying essential sundries and food to students across campus.

To support the Comet Cupboard, see their Amazon Wishlist or visit their website.