Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
Q: What is The Lion’s Pantry?
A: The Lion’s Pantry is a student-founded, student-run, and student-led organization providing support to students, faculty, and staff experiencing food insecurity. We offer free, nutritious food and other essentials to help you stay healthy and focused on your academic and professional goals. You can learn more about our team here.
Q: Who is eligible to use The Lion’s Pantry?
A: The Pantry is available to anyone with a Penn State ID: currently enrolled students, as well as university faculty and staff. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact us directly at thelionspantry@psu.edu.
Q: Where does The Lion’s Pantry receive its food and support?
A: The Pantry receives support from a variety of sources, including:
- Purchased food through donated funds
- Inventory from received donations
- Donations from our Amazon Wish List
- Funding from the Penn State Student Fee Board
Operating Hours and Location
Q: Where is The Pantry located?
A: You can find us at Orange N, Services Rd, State College, PA 16803. You can find a map and directions on our Accessing The Pantry page.
Q: What are the operating hours?
A: Because our operating hours are built around our team’s academic schedules, they change each semester and summer, with modified hours during semester breaks. Our current hours can be found here.
Q: Where can I look to check on The Pantry’s status?
A: Our status can be found on our socials and on this website. If you have an active account, a text message and email will be sent in cases of unforseen closure.
As a general rule of thumb, The Lion’s Pantry follows the Penn State operating schedule (if Penn State due to weather or other issues, The Pantry is also likely closed as well).
Please do not refer to Google for information as said information is likely inaccurate.
Donations
Q: How can I donate food items to The Pantry?
A: We would love for you to host one of our weekly food drives! You can sign up here. We accept non-perishable items like canned goods, pasta, and rice. For a full list of acceptable items, visit our Ways to Give page.
Q: Can I make a monetary donation?
A: Yes, monetary donations are greatly appreciated. You can donate online through our Donation Page or send a check to Student Affairs Development 2601 Gateway Drive, #175 State College, PA 16801. All contributions help us purchase additional supplies and support our Pantry programs.
Volunteering
Q: How can I volunteer at The Pantry?
A: Many of our volunteer opportunities are reserved for our student club members. To find opportunities available to club members or faculty and staff, please visit our sign-up page.
Q: Are there any specific requirements to volunteer?
A: Yes, depending on the activity. Requirements for each activity can be found on our SignUpGenius.
Receiving Help
Q: How can I access The Pantry?
A: To access the food pantry, visit us during our operating hours. Bring your university ID for verification. If you need assistance outside of regular hours, please contact us to discuss alternative arrangements.
Q: Do I need to make an appointment to visit The Pantry?
A: No appointment is necessary. You can come by during our operating hours. If you have any special needs or questions, feel free to reach out to us in advance.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Q: Will my use of The Pantry be kept confidential?
A: Yes, your privacy is important to us. All information regarding your use of The Pantry is kept confidential, and we respect your privacy throughout the process.
Q: How do you ensure The Pantry is accessible to everyone?
A: We strive to make our services as accessible as possible. If you have any specific needs or require accommodation, please let us know so we can assist you.
Contact Information
Q: How can I contact the food pantry for more information?
A: You can reach us by email at thelionspantry@psu.edu or by phone at (814) 865-0990. For any immediate concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
