Northeastern's Student Pantry opened in Fall 2015 under the sponsorship of the Division of Student Affairs. The original plan for the Student Pantry was developed through a grassroots effort during the Fall 2012 semester among faculty, staff and students who shared an interest in finding ways to address the problem of hunger among NEIU students.
The NEIU Student Pantry is supported greatly due to our partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD). GCFD is an organization to help end food insecurity within Chicago and the Greater Chicago area. With their support, the NEIU Student Pantry receives many donations such as produce, canned and bagged items. Visit the GCFD website to learn more.
The primary objectives of the NEIU Student Pantry include:
- Provide support and assistance to students struggling with food insecurity;
- Improve academic success by improving access to ongoing sources of nutrition for our students;
- Provide hands-on volunteer leadership experiences for students while increasing their commitment to civic engagement;
- Develop internship opportunities for students in academic programs including Social Work, Communication, Community Health, Business Management, and Justice Studies.
2022-2023 HOURS OF OPERATION
The Student Pantry is open for the Fall 2022 semester to current NEIU students. The hours of operation are 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday in Room SU 123.
Closings due to observed holiday breaks or emergency closures will be announced via Targeted Announcements and posted as notices through the Student Pantry's Facebook page and CollegiateLink page.
Process for receiving fooD
Walk-Ins
- Students may walk in during normal hours of operation and receive food from the Student Pantry. We do only allow one student in at a time to shop with a student staff member.
- For first-time visitors to the pantry, please register with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and create a profile by providing your basic information. Upon completion, you will receive a seven-digit Client ID number. You will need that Client ID to access food from the pantry. You can do this before visiting or during your visit. If you forget to register no need to worry! While you wait to enter the student pantry we ask students to register with the GCFD using a flyer outside the pantry with a QR code.
Finding a Food pantry near you
For students who do not live on or close to campus and are in need of food assistance, Greater Chicago Food Depository provides an up-to-date listing of pantries across Chicago.
Ways to Donate
monetary donations
Monetary donations can be made online to the Student Pantry Fund. Monetary donations will be utilized to provide the Pantry with supplies and non-perishable foods in addition to what is already available in the Pantry from tangible donations.
When donating, be sure to designate the Student Pantry.
High-Demand items
The Pantry is in continuous need of donated items, including, but not limited to:
- White rice
- Condiments
- Granola bars
- Canned soup
- Oatmeal
- Seasonings
- Cooking oils
- Baby food/formula
- Diapers
- Reusable grocery bags
- Cleaning products
If you have suggestions for any food items that should be made available to visitors of the Student Pantry, you can make them by completing this form.
What Cannot be Donated?
Opened or partially used items, including canned, bottled and dried goods, products not in their original packaging, products with no ingredient information labels, homemade or home-canned products, products that have been contaminated, alcoholic beverages or energy drinks of any kind, expired products, pet food, clothing or toys.
Drop-off Locations
- NEIU Student Pantry (Room SU 123)
- NEIU Police Station (Room PF 104)
