Who we are
The College Student Pantry is a food pantry program providing groceries for any college or graduate student who needs them, regardless of financial situation or institutional affiliation. The idea for the pantry arose out of a recognition among students at NYU and the New School that student food insecurity is a significant and growing problem in New York. The College Student Pantry seeks to provide healthy, nutritious food to any student who needs it, and to join in existing student efforts to raise awareness of and address the problem of student food insecurity on campuses in NYC.
The College Student Pantry is operated by students. It is made possible in partnership with SAFH and PRiSM Progressive Student Ministry. SAFH is a non-profit soup kitchen and food pantry that been providing food and resources to people in need in the East Village for over 30 years. PRiSM is a justice-centered, LGTBQIA+ affirming Christian campus ministry for students downtown that cares about making sure all students have access to healthy, nutritious food.
The College Student Pantry is operated by students. It is made possible in partnership with SAFH and PRiSM Progressive Student Ministry. SAFH is a non-profit soup kitchen and food pantry that been providing food and resources to people in need in the East Village for over 30 years. PRiSM is a justice-centered, LGTBQIA+ affirming Christian campus ministry for students downtown that cares about making sure all students have access to healthy, nutritious food.
Where we are
Trinity Lower East Side
The College Student Pantry is based out of Trinity's SAFH, a soup kitchen and food pantry. SAFH is housed at Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish, an open and affirming church at 602 East 9th Street at Avenue B. To access the College Student Pantry, just come to the entrance on East 9th Street. There will be a signboard on the street showing you where to go. The Pantry is accessible via stairs or a ramp.
While the pantry is housed in a church and supported by a campus ministry, there is no religious messaging of any kind involved in visiting the pantry or volunteering. Students of every background, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, religion, and age are welcome at The College Student Pantry.
While the pantry is housed in a church and supported by a campus ministry, there is no religious messaging of any kind involved in visiting the pantry or volunteering. Students of every background, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, religion, and age are welcome at The College Student Pantry.
FAQs
Do I have to make an appointment?
Nope. We prefer that you do, but we gladly accept walk-ups.
What do I need to bring?
Just your student ID, and if you have a grocery bag, you can bring that too.
What will happen when I arrive at the College Student Pantry?
We are finally open! There will be a table set up right inside the entrance on East 9th street. The volunteers there will ask for some basic information and your Student ID and then you can get started! Students can come inside and select the foods that work best for you.
Does it matter what college/university I attend?
The College Student Pantry is open to all college and graduate students from all institutions.
I am an international student and am not allowed to accept "government assistance" or "public benefits." Can I use the pantry?
Yes! This rule does not apply using to food pantries. Please come get groceries without worrying it will affect your visa status.
What if I’m not free during student pantry hours?
A friend can pick up groceries for you as long as they have a photo of your Student ID. If that’s not an option, our host and partner, SAFH, is open to the rest of the community every week, Monday - Friday. SAFH's soup kitchen is open for lunch from 11am-12pm and the food pantry is open 12:30pm-1:30pm. You can also check out our community resources page here.
Do you accept donations?
Yes! If you have a food donation, you can drop it off anytime Monday-Friday from 7:30am-2:30pm at our East Village location (602 E 9th Street).
If you’d like to make a financial donation to directly support the College Pantry program, you can do so here. Your gifts will support our student staffing and our outreach to underserved campuses, as well as keep us stocked with essentials we need to make the pantry run.
If you'd like to support our partner organization, Trinity's SAFH, which hosts the College Student Pantry and provides our food, as well as serves around 200,000 meals annually to people in the East Village and beyond, please visit safhnyc.org/give.
Do I have to be a college or graduate student to come here?
We are here to help anyone who needs it, but the College Student Pantry hours at SAFH are reserved for college and graduate students in New York. However, SAFH is open to the rest of the community every week, Monday - Friday. The soup kitchen which serves lunch is open from 11am-12pm and the food pantry is open 12:30pm-1:30pm.
What if I have a food allergy or dietary restriction?
You can choose what foods you take, so you should be able to find foods that meet your needs.
I need food but I don't have access to a full kitchen to cook. Can you still help?
There should be foods available in the pantry each time we are open that you can prepare without access to a full kitchen.
What kind of foods will I be able to get at the pantry?
Everyone who visits receives a mix of proteins, grains, and fruits and vegetables.
How frequently can I visit the pantry?
You can visit the pantry and get groceries each time we are open.
By using the pantry, am I taking food away from someone who needs it more?
Absolutely not. The College Student Pantry exists for all students who need some food, regardless of whether you have a one-time or regular need, and regardless of your current income or life situation. If you are thinking about making an appointment, there is truly no reason not to do so. We do not have a shortage of groceries and would love it if you picked some up.
Nope. We prefer that you do, but we gladly accept walk-ups.
What do I need to bring?
Just your student ID, and if you have a grocery bag, you can bring that too.
What will happen when I arrive at the College Student Pantry?
We are finally open! There will be a table set up right inside the entrance on East 9th street. The volunteers there will ask for some basic information and your Student ID and then you can get started! Students can come inside and select the foods that work best for you.
Does it matter what college/university I attend?
The College Student Pantry is open to all college and graduate students from all institutions.
I am an international student and am not allowed to accept "government assistance" or "public benefits." Can I use the pantry?
Yes! This rule does not apply using to food pantries. Please come get groceries without worrying it will affect your visa status.
What if I’m not free during student pantry hours?
A friend can pick up groceries for you as long as they have a photo of your Student ID. If that’s not an option, our host and partner, SAFH, is open to the rest of the community every week, Monday - Friday. SAFH's soup kitchen is open for lunch from 11am-12pm and the food pantry is open 12:30pm-1:30pm. You can also check out our community resources page here.
Do you accept donations?
Yes! If you have a food donation, you can drop it off anytime Monday-Friday from 7:30am-2:30pm at our East Village location (602 E 9th Street).
If you’d like to make a financial donation to directly support the College Pantry program, you can do so here. Your gifts will support our student staffing and our outreach to underserved campuses, as well as keep us stocked with essentials we need to make the pantry run.
If you'd like to support our partner organization, Trinity's SAFH, which hosts the College Student Pantry and provides our food, as well as serves around 200,000 meals annually to people in the East Village and beyond, please visit safhnyc.org/give.
Do I have to be a college or graduate student to come here?
We are here to help anyone who needs it, but the College Student Pantry hours at SAFH are reserved for college and graduate students in New York. However, SAFH is open to the rest of the community every week, Monday - Friday. The soup kitchen which serves lunch is open from 11am-12pm and the food pantry is open 12:30pm-1:30pm.
What if I have a food allergy or dietary restriction?
You can choose what foods you take, so you should be able to find foods that meet your needs.
I need food but I don't have access to a full kitchen to cook. Can you still help?
There should be foods available in the pantry each time we are open that you can prepare without access to a full kitchen.
What kind of foods will I be able to get at the pantry?
Everyone who visits receives a mix of proteins, grains, and fruits and vegetables.
How frequently can I visit the pantry?
You can visit the pantry and get groceries each time we are open.
By using the pantry, am I taking food away from someone who needs it more?
Absolutely not. The College Student Pantry exists for all students who need some food, regardless of whether you have a one-time or regular need, and regardless of your current income or life situation. If you are thinking about making an appointment, there is truly no reason not to do so. We do not have a shortage of groceries and would love it if you picked some up.