DU Food Pantry

The Center for Sustainability

National studies show that students in higher education are highly vulnerable to food and housing insecurity. We know this is the case at DU, as well. The DU Food Pantry exists as a free and open resource for anyone with a DU ID number to supplement their weekly food supply in times of need. New visitors are asked to fill out a short demographic survey.  

2021-2022 UPDATE

shelves in the food pantry

For the 2021-2022 academic year, the DU Food Pantry will be returning to its former mode of operation for its patrons. Rather than last year, where we asked that all orders be placed online in advance, this year, we are offering drop-in hours for anybody seeking our services to fill their bags themselves. We believe that by offering the option for patrons to come in and see our selection first-hand, they will have more freedom of choice and be able to tailor their bags to their needs. The Food Pantry operates within the “Sustainability Marketplace” in Towers. This is the same location as previous years, however, we now have a Thrift Store as well. The Pantry’s drop-in hours are during all hours of operation for the Marketplace, this provides individuals with far more opportunities to utilize the Pantry. The hours are as follows:

  • Monday: 2-6PM
  • Tuesday: 2-6PM
  • Wednesday: CLOSED
  • Thursday: 2-6PM
  • Friday: 2-6PM
  • Saturday/Sunday: 11AM-4PM

If these hours do not work for you, we are also offering the option to order your food bags in advance, similar to last year. If this is the case, orders must be placed by Wednesday of each academic week. Orders will be ready for pickup on Thursdays during our typical hours. The order form can be found HERE.

Bags can be picked up on the Williams Street side of Centennial Towers. All users will be required to be wearing a mask when they pick up their box.

If you have any questions, concerns, or can’t make the times listed above, please don't hesitate to reach out to foodpantry@du.edu.

The DU Food Pantry is located in the Sustainability Marketplace, on the first floor of the Centennial Towers residence hall.

Visitors are provided with up to one bag of food per week. New visitors will get a free reusable bag and are expected to bring this with them on future visits. This is to reduce the waste generated by food pantry visits and also to ensure that this shared resource is able to serve all who need it.

What is Food Insecurity?

Feeding American defines food insecurity as "a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life." It is important to know that though hunger and food insecurity are closely related, they are distinct concepts. Hunger refers to a personal, physical sensation of discomfort, while food insecurity refers to a lack of available financial resources for food at the household level. Right now, one in nine Americans are considered to be food insecure. 

Donations

The Food Pantry is supported entirely by food and monetary donations by departments and individuals in the DU community. We are endlessly grateful for the support that we have received and will continue to receive from the DU community. 

  • Food Drives: Every year, dozens of groups on campus come together to collect boxes of food for the Pantry. If you would like to run a food drive for your department, club, team, class or organization, email foodpantry@du.edu for signage and instructions. 

  • Individual Donations: If you would like to donate food to the pantry as an individual, simply stop by the Center for Sustainability during business hours.

  • Monetary Donations: When food donations are not enough for our regular operations, we supplement with store-bought food paid for by generous monetary donations from our partners and friends around campus; Sodexo and Aramark have been exceptionally generous donors! If you would like to provide a monetary gift, visit the Advancement website or simply text DUFOODPANTRY to 41444.