Food Assistance

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 the Newman House, this is an informal dinner where you can come and go as you please. There is always great food and great fellowship! This weekly activity is open to all students and provides dinner cooked by BU student organizations at the Newman House. Dinner begins at 5:30 PM, and is preceded by a 5:00 PM Mass in our Newman House Chapel. You do not need to attend the Mass beforehand, you can attend dinner at 5:30 PM for just $1!

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
  • 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

The Office of the Dean of Students holds a food drive each semester. Contact us at 570-389-4734 to find out dates if you would like to donate.

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. Monetary funds are used to purchase items that are in short supply, as well as supplies to package bulk items into healthier portions, cleaning supplies, and for normal building expenses like cleaning supplies.

Checks can be made payable to:

Bloomsburg Food Cupboard, 329 Center Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815

Donations of food can also be dropped off to the above address. 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.

Statistics show that many students struggle to make ends-meet, such as affording food. More than a quarter of college students don't get enough food to eat.

Those able to financially assist help end student hunger on campus may donate. Contributions will go to the BU Foundation and food will be purchased for students in need. Thank you in advance for your donation!

Students needing financial assistance may contact the Dean of Students Office.

illustration of Carver Hall