Paws' Pantry

Fuel up for success

We know how hard it is to concentrate when you’re in a financial pinch and wondering how you're going to meet your basic needs.

Paws’ Pantry offers free healthy food to IU Indianapolis students, staff, and faculty struggling with food insecurity. Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability or nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.

Paws’ Closet is now called Hire Attire and is operated by the Office of Student Employment. The closet, opening in March 2024, will contain work appropriate attire for students needing clothing for work experiences, interviewing, and career events. Contact their team for more information.

Location and hours

Paws’ Pantry – Campus Center 130
Tuesdays: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Wednesdays: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursdays: Noon–6 p.m.

How it works

Paws’ Pantry has a new software system to make shopping easier for our clients. Prior to your first visit, you will go to the Paws’ Pantry client portal and log in using your IU credentials. After logging in, you’ll be asked to complete the registration form. Once your registration form is complete, you can select an appointment time.

You can visit the pantry once per week. Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance in order to shop at the pantry. Each appointment will allow 15 minutes for shopping. Appointment slots will open one week in advance and will close 24 hours before the pantry opens. For example, scheduling for a Tuesday appointment will close on Monday at 10 a.m. Be sure to bring your CrimsonCard with you to your shopping appointment.

Every effort will be made to provide appointments for those with food insecurity. If you are unable to make an appointment, please email jagsfood@iu.edu and a one-time emergency pre-packaged food bag will be provided.

What to expect’

Our pantry is run by volunteers, who are essential to our operations. Please be kind and courteous to them when shopping.
An appointment is required to shop with Paws’ Pantry. If you do not have one, please speak to one of our team members about how to make an appointment online.
A physical CrimsonCard is required to check in for your appointment.
You must arrive within your appointment window, or you will not be allowed to shop.
Your appointment is yours alone. You may not bring guests inside the pantry or shop for another person. If you need accommodations while shopping at the pantry, please contact jagsfood@iu.edu prior to your appointment.
Please respect the privacy of others by not using your cellphone while shopping.
Eating is not allowed inside the pantry. Do not open packages or consume food items until after checkout.
Please only move through the dedicated shopping areas of the pantry. The back storage is for staff and volunteers only.
Based on the availability of items, shopping limits may change without advance notice. Your understanding is appreciated.
After you have checked out and completed your appointment, shoppers are not permitted to return to the pantry until their next scheduled appointment.
Many items stocked in Paws’ Pantry are supplied through donations and local food banks. You may find that items on our shelves have sell-by or best-by dates that have passed. In an effort to reduce food waste, it is important that consumers understand that the dates applied to food are for quality and not for safety. Food products are safe to consume past the date on the label, and regardless of the date, consumers should evaluate the quality of the food product prior to its consumption (USDA, 2023). For more information about food product dating and safe consumption of these items, we encourage you to visit the USDA website.

Shoppers who do not comply with the pantry expectations may lose their shopping privileges. Adhering to the posted expectations will help us provide fair service to all.

We appreciate all you do to create a great shopping experience for our community!

Questions? Contact is at jagsfood@iu.edu

Every dollar counts

We couldn’t operate Paws’ Pantry without our generous donors. They ensure the pantry and closet are full of food and clothing items to help you meet your basic needs. Every donation—monetary or in-kind—goes directly to supporting the operations of these services and supporting thousands of students, faculty, and staff each year.

Consider making your gift today.

Thank you for your support

Robert H. McKinney School of Law: Development Office, Health Policy and Management at Fairbanks School of Public Health, Academic and Career Development, Center for Teaching and Learning, University Library, Liberal Arts Alumni Association Board, Office of Executive Vice President for University Academic Affairs, Campus Center and Student Experiences, Student Affairs, School of Social Work, Division of Enrollment Management (Admissions), Herron School of Art and Design, Institute for Engaged Learning, IU Indianapolis Alumni Council, IU Indianapolis School of Science Alumni Board

In-kind pantry donations

If you want to help a fellow Jag with their next meal, we take in-kind donations to Paws’ Pantry. You can drop off nonperishable food items and personal hygiene products in the orange bins outside of Campus Center 130. Your donation can make a world of difference for a fellow Jag.

Volunteer with us

Learn more about volunteering