Oh no--we have a laundry room/ part of the basement designated for laundry, but there isn't anything like a closet or something in it...

So, there's a distinction in your mind between "cupboard we put all the food in" and "cupboard designed for putting food in"?

Well, no.

It is typical for only/predominately dishes to be in a cupboard. However, not every house comes with a pantry (at my old house, we had a pantry, but at my current one, not so much). So, if there is no pantry, cupboards can be utilized for dry goods, and no one will look at you crazy if you do ;)