Support Feed the Pack
Learn more about the ways you can support NC State's on-campus food pantry
Donate Items
Feed the Pack accepts a wide variety of donations to the pantry including food, hygiene products, technology, and more! Below is a list of every item currently needed in the pantry to help donors choose what items to donate. Please note that this list is not comprehensive. If you have any questions regarding donations, please direct concerns to the pantry email address.
Food Items Needed
Type of Item Examples Beans and Legumes Kidney beans, garbanzo beans, lentils, split-peas, black-eyed peas Breads (White, Whole Grain, Gluten-Free) Naan, pita, tortillas, wraps Breakfast Foods Breakfast bars, cereals, jellies, nut butters, oats Dairy-Free Substitutes Almond milk, oat milk, soy milk Gluten-Free Items Baking supplies, breads, pasta, snacks Hygiene Products Dental care, lotion, pads, shower supplies Meals Grain bowls, pasta kits, ramen, microwavable rice Pantry Staples Baking supplies, flour, oil, seasonings, shelf-stable milk, sugar Snacks Crackers, dried fruit, fruit pouches, granola bars, nuts, protein bars
NOTE: Feed the Pack often receives a surplus of certain goods, and so we request donors limit the amounts of the following: canned green beans, canned corn, canned applesauce, tampons, pancake mix, chicken noodle soup, and gravy.
Other Accepted Items
Type of Item Examples Baby Care Products Baby food, diapers, diaper cream, formula, toddler snacks Pet Food and Supplies Bagged food, canned food School Supplies Binders, calculators, notebooks Technology Earbuds, headphones, charging cables
Items Not Accepted
Unfortunately, Feed the Pack cannot accept the following items. Please do not include these in your donations.
- Damaged or leaking Items
- Items without an expiration or ingredients
- Items no longer in their original packaging
Donation Opportunities
For more information about these donation opportunities, please contact the Feed the Pack Outreach Coordinator at feedthepackoutreach@ncsu.edu!
Food Drives
Food drives are another great way to support our Pack. When student groups and organizations reach out to their own networks, it helps connect our resources to serve our Pack better.
Pack the Shelves
Pack the Shelves is a program in which NC State departments and organizations help keep pantry shelves stocked! Typically, departments collect a monthly donation for the pantry and coordinate with the Outreach Coordinator to arrange donation pick-ups or drop-offs.
Amazon Wishlist
Our Amazon Wishlist is comprised of all of our pantry’s most needed items. By sending in donations through Amazon, it relieves the need for donors to show up to the pantry and it also ensures the pantry is stocked with exactly what it needs.
Businesses and Restaurants
Is your business or restaurant interested in donating produce or perishable items to Feed the Pack? Please contact feedthepackpantry@ncsu.edu for more information.
Large Donations
If you have a large donation please contact feedthepackpantry@ncsu.edu to ensure we have capacity prior to your arrival.
Become a Volunteer with Feed the Pack
Feed the Pack Food Pantry is a university resource that depends on the dedication and effort of volunteers to keep the pantry open and running smoothly. While we are fortunate to have paid students who work in the pantry, we rely on our volunteers to help pantry operations run smoothly. We are accessible to all current NC State students, staff, and faculty and we would love for the entire NC State community to get involved.
Individual Volunteering
To get connected as an individual volunteer and gain access to the online training module, please read through the general responsibilities and expectations below. Interested individuals should then complete the Volunteer Interest Form and a member of our team will be in touch.
General Responsibilities
Individual volunteers can help with a number of tasks including, but not limited to:
- Repackaging bulk produce donations;
- Preparing the pantry for the upcoming week;
- Opening the pantry each day;
- Assisting patrons as they shop;
- Weighing and logging patrons’ food;
- Restocking shelves, processing and shelving donations as they arrive, and keeping the pantry clean
Expectations
In order to volunteer, individuals must abide by the following:
- Commit to volunteering a minimum of 10 hours per semester;
- Be at least 18 years of age and must be directly connected to NC State University either as a student, staff, or faculty member with a University ID card;
- Complete online volunteer training module (~30 minutes) prior to registering for volunteer shifts
NOTE: After we have reached a certain number of volunteers for the semester, the Volunteer Interest Form is closed. please check back again at the end of the current semester when we start accepting volunteers for the next semester.
Group Volunteering
Group volunteering is a great way for both on-campus organizations and off-campus supporters to get involved with Feed the Pack. To get connected, please read through the expectations below.
Opportunities
- For groups of three (3) to eight (8) people:
- Mondays from 11:00AM to 1:00PM | Restocking Shift
- Mondays from 2:00PM to 4:00PM | Restocking Shift
- Thursdays from 2:00PM to 4:00PM | Restocking Shift
- For groups of eight (8) to twenty (20) people, we can flexibly schedule deep cleaning shifts outside of the pantry’s operational hours
Expectations
- The total number of participants for each group must be confirmed prior to registering for a group volunteer shift;
- Volunteer groups will be led by student Shift Leaders or a member of staff and do not need to complete the individual volunteer training;
- If a volunteer group wishes to cancel their shift, they must do so a minimum of 48 hours prior to the start of the scheduled shift
If you are interested in group volunteer opportunities, please contact feedthepackvolunteer@ncsu.edu by the 15th of the month prior to the month during which you want to volunteer. (e.g. if you wish to volunteer on a Monday in March, you must contact feedthepackvolunteer@ncsu.edu no later than February 15th.)
Educate Yourself
There are multiple ways to learn more about Feed the Pack and to share this knowledge with the Wolfpack Community.
Spread the word
Feed the Pack heavily relies on word of mouth and community based publicizing of our resources so that everyone on NC State’s campus understands Feed the Pack is a resource for those experiencing food insecurity. Click here for a Feed the Pack poster to share with others or bring to campus events in order to spread the word about Feed the Pack!
Pack Essentials Ally Knowledge Program
The Pack Essentials Ally Knowledge Program helps faculty, staff, and students to gain a better understanding of food insecurity, housing insecurity, basic needs, and under-resourced students. This program allows interested individuals to define food and housing insecurity, identify students experiencing basic needs insecurity, refer students to appropriate resources, and implement best practices to better serve students and their basic needs.
Feed the Pack Newsletter
Every month, Feed the Pack puts out a Newsletter that goes over updates in the pantry, monthly food statistics, and shout outs for great work being done in the pantry. Click here to keep up to date with all Feed the Pack events and updates!
Follow us on Instagram
Stay up to date on happenings in the Pantry by following us on Instagram! Make sure to like, comment, and share out our content for others.
Monetary Support
Monetary donations are a fantastic way to support Feed the Pack because it offers our pantry flexibility. Feed the Pack has many wonderful partnerships offering great food and produce deals. Every dollar directly impacts the Wolfpack Community.
Giving to NC State Website
Any amount you contribute through this website will help make a difference in the lives of those who use the pantry. Make sure to select the Pack Essentials Fund (147798/69642) on the form.
Payroll Deduction
NC State offers an automatic payroll deduction for staff and faculty that wish to give to organizations at NC State, which includes Feed the Pack. To sign up for this automatic payroll deduction you will have to search “Feed the Pack” to make sure you are donating to our organization. Individuals can choose how much each month to give to Feed the Pack and the money will be deduced from their payroll.
Tax Deductions for Donations
All Feed the Pack donations are tax deductible. Individuals should use our In-Kind form to document their donations.