Each year the College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter participates in a project known as the “College-Wide Project” and for the fall 2015 project the chapter researched the need for a food pantry on campus. They spent the semester meeting with local experts and college administration, conducting surveys of current students and faculty/staff and working with service-learning students on the need and
feasibility of opening a pantry. Phi Theta Kappa’s research alone found that 100 out of 750 College of DuPage students reported having access to only 1-2 full meals a day or less than a full meal a day. The chapter felt that this showed food insecurity was definitely an issue that should be addressed at College of DuPage. Phi Theta Kappa wanted to support the campus community members by giving them the brain “fuel” they need to succeed while at the College of DuPage and therefore created the FUEL Pantry.
“Many college students who experience food insecurity struggle to reach milestones such as year-to-year persistence and certificate or degree completion”---Higher Education Today
Who Can Use the Pantry? The FUEL food pantry is for all students, faculty, and staff facing food insecurity and in need of assistance. Our goal is to conveniently provide food for individuals on campus who may be food insecure. Students, faculty, and staff will need a valid College ID and complete a short registration form. No proof of need is necessary. Guidelines on how often an individual can visit and how much food can be received per visit are posted in the food pantry.
Hours of Operation
Monday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*These hours are subject to change. If these hours do not meet your needs please email ptkfuelpantry@gmail.com or stop by the Office of Student Life in Student Services Center (SSC), Room 1217 and talk to Shannon.
Donations The FUEL Pantry accepts non-perishable food donations at any time of the year. Donations can be dropped off in the Phi Theta Kappa office in SSC 2212 or the Office of Student Life in SSC 1217. In addition, tax-deductible cash donations can be made through the COD Foundation.
Popular items include:
Cheese or peanut butter crackers
Beef jerky
Applesauce
Pudding
Fruit cups
Granola bars
Power bars
Cereal bars
Single serving Chef-Boy-R-Dee items
Ravioli/spaghettiOs
Soups
Ramen noodles
Packaged nuts
Trail mix
Fruit snacks
Dried fruits
Peanut butter
Any kind of pasta
Spaghetti sauce
Canned vegetables and fruit
Packaged chips/pretzels/crackers
Boxed drinks and juices
Pop tarts
Oatmeal
Canned Tuna or chicken
Bags of rice or beans
Pancake mix
Macaroni and cheese
Jelly
Personal Care Items and Paper Products
Shampoo/conditioner
Soap
Plastic utensils
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Volunteers The fuel pantry is always in need of volunteers for:
Staffing during open hours
Doing inventory and stocking shelves
Monitoring expiration dates
Marketing and promotion
If you are interested in volunteering, please click here to sign up. For questions or more information on the Fuel Pantry, email ptkfuelpantry@gmail.com.