Aiming to provide access to food for those struggling with food insecurity, and finding routes to support those who need it.
As a campus community, we strive to promote the well-being and success of all members of our Puget Sound community (students, staff, and faculty).
To assist those struggling with food insecurities and/or lack of consistent access to nutritious and/or affordable foods, the Center for Student Support hosts an on-campus food pantry. The pantry includes gluten-free items, frozen meals, noodles, rice, canned fruit, and various other snacks and nutrition options. The pantry also stocks a number of toiletries and hygienic products. We respect the identities and backgrounds of all members on this campus and we strive to make this food pantry a welcoming place for all who need its contents.
We invite you to visit the food pantry at 3215 N 13th Street (house next door to the CSS house). Enter through the front door; the pantry is toward the back of the building. Hours are as follows:
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Every day, 8AM - 10PM (accessible via LoggerCard swipe)
Please email studentsupport@pugetsound.edu if you have questions or comments -- or feel free to use the suggestions/question box within the pantry.
Have a quick question? Check out our FAQ!
In light of the lapse of SNAP Benefits, we are committed to providing resources and opportunities to the campus community, including local resources to help supplement meals. Though the pantry can help supplement some meals, we are limited by the amount of donations we receive. If you are in immediate need of food, please click the link to see what resources both on-campus and locally are available, or contact studentsupport@pugetsound.edu to set up a meeting and discuss resources available to you.
Have a quick question? Check below to see if we have the answer!
Ready-to-make meals that are shelf stable are the most popular items among students.
Any of these items would also be helpful:
Canned goods:
Spam
Beans (Black, Pinto, really any beans work)
Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken
Soups
Green Beans
Tomato sauce/paste
Corn
Baked Beans
Shelf-Stable foods:
Oat Milk (Not refrigerated)
Rice
Beans (in a bag)
Oatmeal
Mac n' Cheese
Top Ramen
Gluten Free Pho (if available)
Powdered Mashed Potatoes
Breakfast Bars
Pasta Sauce
Pasta (Regular pasta and/or Gluten Free)
Cereal
To support the food pantry with a large donation of food items or a large monetary donation, please contact studentsupport@pugetsound.edu.
- Click this link.
- Under the "Designation" section, choose "Other".
- In the "Other Designation" text box, write "Food Pantry".
If you would like to donate nonperishable items to the pantry, please use the general donations box located on the porch of the Center for Student Support. Our staff monitors the donation box and the Food Pantry regularly.
- Campus Food Pantry - Located in the Blue House (3215 N 13th St)
- New stock dates for the rest of the semester: 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18
- Donated food will be added to the pantry on a rolling basis
- Dining Dollars Bank - The Dining Dollars Bank is a culmination of Dining Dollars donated by students who had extra. The Bank provides students who are out of Dining Dollars or actively running out of funds to make it to the end of the semester. Typically, the bank opens for the last 4 weeks of every semester. This semester, that date is 11/24
- Connect with Center for Student Support or the Dean of Students office to officially request funds from the Bank
- If you run out of Dining Dollars prior to the Bank opening, please contact the Center for Student Support so we can help you navigate your options!
- Adding Dining Dollars - If you have a meal plan, you can add additional funds dollar-to-dollar match to your Dining Dollars ($25 = 25 Dining Dollars).
- Go onto your MyPugetSound dashboard and in the Dining Dollars tile select “Purchase Additional Dining Dollars” button
- Select the amount to purchase with the drop down menu
- ASUPS E-Fund - ASUPS has an emergency fund intended to provide financial relief for students undergoing an unforeseen circumstance. You can work with the Center for Student Support to determine if your situation may qualify for this small grant. If you don’t qualify, we can also discuss additional options with you and SFS.
Resources off-campus:
- Pierce County Food Banks - Pierce County has a whole page dedicated to all of the food banks in Pierce County. They list out every bank with when they are open, any documents that may be required to utilize them, as well as an interactive map to help identify the ones closest to you.
- Food banks closest to campus include: NW Tacoma Nourish Food Bank, Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank, St. Leo Food Connection, and RISE Center
- Food Banks outside of Pierce County - If you and your family are located outside of Pierce County, the easiest way to find local banks is to look on your county’s website for food resources. You can also Google “[your county] food banks” and there may be webpages dedicated to those resources that are not a government site.
These resources are great starting points, but that doesn’t mean that these are all resources that are available. We are continuing to look out for local opportunities and additional resources as they become available. The Center for Student Support is here and happy to discuss resources and get you connected both locally and wherever home is for you.
