University Pantry remains open on Thursdays during the summer

While heading to the grocery to stock up for July 4 cookoffs, maybe consider helping the Purdue University Fort Wayne pantry as well.

Though the pantry located in the Cole Clubhouse in Student Housing on the Waterfield Campus is closed for the summer, the Walb Student Union location in Room G36 continues to be open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hours are subject to change throughout the year to accommodate campus holidays.

Started in 2017 with help from FRIENDS of the University, the pantry is stocked with a variety of frozen, packaged, and canned goods, along with hygiene products. There is also a list of preferred donations, and reusable grocery bags are always appreciated.

The need for donations is constant. According to Eric Manor, associate chief for campus and community wellbeing, there were 7,891 pantry visits from Aug. 1, 2024, to May 30, 2025. Though the pantry is open to anyone in the community, 77% of the visits were from students.

The numbers have been increasing steadily. The 2022–23 school year served 5,100 individuals, but those numbers were 8,899 visitors during 2003 and 8,680 during 2024. During 2024, there were 1,005 first-time visitors. So far this year, there have been 3,611 visitors, and 74% have been students.

Traditionally, the pantry serves approximately 1,500 people each summer, and more than half are students.

The pantry is not supported with funding from the university, and the budget varies from year-to-year. Everyone is welcome to contribute financially or drop off donations directly. Find the food pantry via the gold button titled Click Here to Select Your Fund(s), then choose Food Pantry from the list of options.

Anyone with questions, departments interested in donating items, or those who wish to volunteer can email Manor at [email protected].