Paw's Pantry Support Fund

By IU Indianapolis Division of Student Affairs

In order for students to thrive in the classroom, they need security in knowing where their next meal will come from—and Paws’ Pantry provides some of that relief. The pantry distributes food, household, and personal hygiene products to thousands of members of the IU Indianapolis community each year. Our mission is to reduce food insecurity on campus and ensure no Jaguar goes hungry—and each donation helps us accomplish this goal.

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Paws’ Pantry was established in 2013 by IU Indianapolis students who saw a need and wanted to help. Since the pantry’s opening, thousands of students, faculty, and staff have been able to meet their basic needs, and our community continues to take steps forward to ensuring no Jaguar goes hungry. On average, we distribute about 36,000 items of food and personal hygiene products each week to students.

Paws’ Pantry relies heavily on donations—both monetary and in-kind—and volunteers to operate. When we say every dollar matters, we mean it. Every cent goes to ensuring we can supply the pantry with enough food, household, and hygiene products to meet our community’s needs.

In a survey administered last year, we learned that nearly two in five IU Indianapolis students (37%) reported experiencing low or very low levels of food security in the past 30 days. In a survey from this fall, we learned that 38% of first-year student respondents thought they could use help affording food, with 8% expressing they would need a lot of help.

This tells us there’s still work to be done.

A $25 donation allows 30 students to shop at the pantry.

Small donations make a big impact in the lives of our students. Because of donors like you, we can continue to keep our shelves full, doors open, and community served.

Paws’ Pantry is overseen by staff and students within the Office of the Dean of Students at IU Indianapolis. This office was originally established in 2016 to further advocate for and support students’ needs. In 2018, Paws’ Pantry moved to its current location in the IU Indianapolis Campus Center, which offers a larger space and an enhanced shopping experience, further reducing the stigma of food pantries on college campuses.

"My family and I would like to thank Paws' Pantry for your generosity. Honestly, words can't express how we feel. We will always remember your kind support." - Anonymous student and patron of Paws' Pantry