Food Assistance

NOW OPEN! - The Dean of Students Pantry

Sponsored by "Swipe Out Hunger" - Available for the Spring 2024 Semester.

ALL Students are welcome at NO COST! We have grocery items for students in need. BU Students can visit The Dean of Students Pantry on Thursday from 8AM-12PM or Fridays from 12PM-4PM in the Dean of Students Office at 150 Warren Student Services Center.

For opportunities to visit the Pantry outside of these hours, please email: DeanOfStudents@commonwealthu.edu or call us at 570-389-4734.

Bloomsburg Food Cupboard Locations

The Bloomsburg Food Cupboard has a night just for BU students! Most Mondays during the Fall and Spring semester, BU students can visit the Food Cupboard from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM. (Closes promptly at 6:00 PM)

The Food Cupboard is located at 329 Center Street, walking distance from campus. Please bring a reusable bag and choose what you want from a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods, pastas, cereals, snacks, and pre-packaged meals. New stock arrives weekly so the food is fresh and so are the options! You will need to show your student ID.

Students who reside in Columbia County and have proof of residence (Utility bill etc.), can access the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard on Sundays 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM, and Tuesdays 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.

Emergency food bag pick up

We understand that sometime unexpected emergency expenses can arise, throwing off even the best-planned budget. Emergency food bags with non-perishable items are available.

Campus Locations
Office of the Dean of Students	150 Student Services Center
Student Health Center	324 Kehr Union Building
Scranton Commons	Scranton Commons
Andruss Library Desk	Andruss Library
Student Involvement	350 Kehr Union Building
Academic Advisement	216 Student Services Center
University Store	Ground Floor, David Soltz Hall
Student Rec Center	Student Rec Center
Act 101	Second Floor, Student Services Center
TRiO Student Support Services	268 Student Services Center
Disability Services	055 Student Services Center
LGBTQA Resource Center	349 Kehr Union Building
Women's Resource Center	First Floor, Schuylkill Hall
Financial Aid Office	106 Arts and Administration Building
Title IX / Housing & Residence Life	First Floor, Elwell Hall

Campus Catholic Ministry Open Bite Night

Held every Wednesday at 6pm at the Newman House located at 353 E. 2nd Street. All students are welcome and will be provided a FREE homemade meal. There is no structure to this event and there is no requirement – just eat, relax, and socialize. For questions, email ccm@bloomucatholic.org or call 570-940-9248.

Keep an eye out for free food events on campus!

Program Board regularly hosts Midnight Pizza, just bring your ID to get in and get a free slice of pizza. There are also several late night snack events throughout the semester. Held from 11pm-1am, usually in the Kehr Union, these events feature food like walking tacos, popcorn chicken, pretzel nuggets, and mashed potato bars.

Meal Plan Scholarships

https://bloomu.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/

Community Meals / Food Pantry Sites

Please note: Sites may require pre-registration and qualification.

USDA Summer Food Service Programs (Exclusively for children under 18 years of age)
- Northern Columbia Community Cultural Center
- 42 Community Drive
- Served 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Monday – Thursday
- June 10th through August 16th
Benton Food Pantry - Northern Columbia Cultural Center
- 42 Community Drive
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, and 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
- 570-925-0163

Friends Feeding Friends, Salvation Army
- 320 West 2nd Street
- Served 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Tuesday and Thursday
- 570-759-1214
Berwick Soup Kitchen, United Way
- 320 West 2nd Street
- Served 4:30PM – 5:30 PM, Tuesday and Thursday
- 570-759-1214
Berwick Food Pantry - Salvation Army Building
- 320 West 2nd Street
- 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday
- 570-752-7221

DailyBread Meal, AGAPE
- 19 East 7th Street
- 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM, on the 3rd Friday of each month
- 570-317-2210
Mission Meal, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
- 101 East 5th Street
- Served 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, 3rd Saturday of each month
- 570-784-7430
Community Friendship Meal, Wesley United Methodist Church
- 3rd & Market Streets
- Served 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Saturday
- 570-784-1407
USDA Summer Food Service Programs (Exclusively for children under 18 years of age)
- Wesley United Methodist Church
- 130 West 3rd Street
- Served 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Monday – Friday
- June 29th through August 16th
Bloomsburg Food Cupboard, St. Columba
- Old Winona Fire Hall
- 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM, Tuesday
- 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM Sunday
- 570-784-0801
Bloomsburg Food Pantry
- AGAPE Center
- 19 East 7th Street
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 3rd Friday of each month
- 570-387-6501
Open Bite Night, Catholic Campus Ministry
- Newman House
- 353 E. 2nd Street
- 6:00 PM - Every Wednesday - FREE Homemade Meal
- 570-940-9248 or email ccm@bloomucatholic.org
- All Students Welcome! There's no structure to this event, and there's no requirements - just eat, relax, and socialize.
Dean of Students Pantry, Available for the Spring 2024 Semester
- Warren Student Services Center
- Room 150
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Thursday
- 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Friday
- Sponsored by Swipe out Hunger
- For opportunities to visit the Pantry outside of the above hours, please email DeanOfStudents@commonwealthu.edu or call 570-389-4734

Bible Study Meal, Grace Bible Church
- 209 McIntrye Road
- Served 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday
- 570-356-2644
Catawissa Food Pantry, First United Methodist Church
- 328 South Street
- 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, on the 3rd Thursday of the month
- 570-356-2152

Jubilee Meal, Mahoning Presbyterian Church
- 218 Ferry Street
- Coffee served 9:00 AM Saturday
- Meal served 11:00 AM Saturday
- Second Saturday in September through end of June
- 570-275-2031

Greenwood Food Pantry
- Township Building
- 90 Shed Road
- 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 3rd Friday of each month
- 570-458-0212

Community Cupboard of Nescopeck, Wesley United Methodist Church
- 101 Broad Street (on the corner)
- Call ahead and a pickup time will be assigned, 2nd Tuesday of each month
- 570-752-3502
New Heart Cafe, New Heart Christian Fellowship
- 507 East 3rd Street
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Last Monday of each month (with the exception of May's meal taking place on May 18th).
- 570-394-3100

Orangeville Food Pantry
- Orange Township Municipal Building
- 2028 State Route 487
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, 2nd Saturday of each month
- 570-683-5836

Wilburton Food Pantry
- Mainstreet, Firehall #2
- 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 2nd Thursday of each month
- 570-339-1386

Description of Program

We have 8 Columbia county sites - Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Greenwood, Madison, Millville, Orangeville, Wilburton

Location: Columbia

Geographic Area: Columbia

Intake Procedure: Residents are only able to attend the food pantry once a month and must use the pantry assigned to their residence. All clients must pre-register before visiting the local food pantries.

Affiliated Agency: AGAPE

This Program: Columbia County Human Services Food Pantries

Affiliated Services:
Benton Food Pantry
Bloomsburg Food Pantry
Food Bank of Greater Berwick
Food Pantries Columbia County Human Services
Greenwood Food Pantry
Madison Food Pantry
Millville Food Pantry
Occasional Emergency Food Assistance Columbia County Human Services
Orangeville Food Pantry
Outgoing Emergency Food Assistance Columbia County Human Services
Wilburton Food Pantry

How to Help

Dean of Students Pantry

The Dean of Students pantry welcomes donations of the items listed below. To arrange a day and time to drop off your donation, please email deanofstudents@commonwealthu.edu

Personal Care Items

Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Shampoo and conditioner
Bar soap
Period products
Deodorant – masculine and feminine
Bar soap – sensitive skin preferred
Laundry detergent pods

Food Items

Peanut butter and jelly
Oil – vegetable, canola, olive
Canned green beans, peas, carrots
Pasta 1lb boxes or bags
Pasta sauce -meat, marinara, and vegetable
Canned tuna fish or canned chicken
Mac and cheese – microwave or water only cooking
Instant rice and mashed potatoes
Dried parmesan cheese
Applesauce – jars or single serving packets
Peaches, pears, pineapple – canned or fruit cups
Canned black beans and refried beans
Heat and serve meals - ravioli, protein or rice bowls
Snack items – granola bars, trail mix, jerky, peanuts
Heat and serve soups – meat and vegetable options
Instant pancake mix and syrup
Jars of salsa or queso
Taco shells or tortillas (chip or soft) and seasoning
Shelf stable meat – pepperoni, meatballs, taco filling
Shelf stable milk and protein shakes
Instant Oatmeal or packaged breakfast pastries
Gluten free shelf stable options

Bloomsburg Food Cupboard

You can make a financial donation to the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard, which provides emergency food bags to students on campus, as well as hosting a weekly food pickup night for BU students.

Donations of food can also be dropped off at 329 Center Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. Suggestions include: dried pasta and rice, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, cereal, and canned pastas and soups. They will also accept donations of cleaning supplies; volunteers are also welcome.

Dean of Students Pantry

The Dean of Students pantry welcomes the following methods for financial donations:

By Check

Make Checks payable to: Bloomsburg University Foundation
In the subject line, please write Dean of Student Pantry - Huskies Helping Huskies
Mail Check to - Bloomsburg University Foundation, Inc.
- Greenly Center
- 50 East Main Street 4th Floor
- Bloomsburg, PA 17815

Make a Gift online