The UIS Cares Food Pantry, normally located in SAB 60, is meant to serve UIS students and provide them with free access to food. This system runs with the understanding that UIS students have a variety of different socioeconomic statuses and that not everyone is automatically able to buy even the cheapest of items on their own. This system makes it easier for students to obtain food and basic goods in the event that they have run out and are not able to get any. The biggest change to the pantry happened during COVID-19, and the spike in cases led to a change in the process. The food pantry is now only available for students to receive food through pre-order pick-ups, and in place of the walk-in pantry, the Micro-Pantry was born.

The Micro-Pantry, located in the Student Union’s west entrance, is just what it sounds like: a mini pantry with many of the same items available in the main food pantry. A few notable items already there include ramen noodles, canned goods, and more. This way, students in need can still get their items in a safer manner during COVID-19. That said, the best way to contribute to the cause is to donate to the Food Pantry/Micro-Pantry, and this can be with food items, non-perishables, undamaged goods, and more. The most popular items that students need are instant meals, pasta, rice, hot/cold cereal, bottled beverages, and baby food. Canned foods are most donated, and things such as granola bars, chips, crackers, and other snack foods are also welcome. The food pantry also encourages non-food contributions as well, including shampoo/conditioner, dental care items, toilet paper, deodorant, diapers, feminine hygiene items, and more. Items that will not be accepted include cookies and candy.

There are donation bins with the UIS Cares logo all over campus, with a few of these locations being: UHB Classroom side & UHB office side, PAC Tower 1 first floor, PAC Tower 3 first & fifth floor, Brookens Library side- second-floor staircase, HSB main entrance, and the Diversity Center entrance. The UIS Cares Food Pantry also welcomes cash donations and/or personal checks made to the University of Illinois Springfield Cares Food Pantry. These donations may be brought to the Office of Advancement in PAC 595 between 8:30 am-5 pm, or they may be mailed instead.

Want to help more? Alongside the option for online donations, UIS Cares also has a school supply shop, where students can find paper, notepads, writing utensils, and many other school supplies for no cost at all. These items can be donated by students as well, and through efforts like these, we can help make basic food and care items available for every student’s needs.

If you have any questions about the items you want to donate with the UIS Cares Food Pantry, they can be reached at [email protected] or called at 217-206-7716.