The Laker Union Pantry- our campus food and hygiene pantry- was designed to service students who do not have financial means to sustain a nutritionally rich diet and those who do not have access to an on-campus meal plan or other options to fulfill their dietary needs. Whether you are without a meal plan, experiencing financial hardship, or simply need a little extra support, the pantry offers a welcoming, judgment-free space to help meet your needs.
We provide a variety of perishable and non-perishable food items, as well as personal hygiene products, all free of charge. Students can access the pantry by shopping in person or by placing an online order for convenient pick-up.
The pantry is open to all current students, both part-time and full-time, and is located in WB309. Only a Student ID and/or Roosevelt email is required to utilize the pantry.
The pantry is open Monday-Friday, with hours that change each semester. To stay up to date on opening hours, be sure to follow the pantry’s Instagram and never miss an update (@thelakeruniopantry). Semester hours are also posted on our external website.
To place an online order or browse our catalog of items, head to our storefront.
There is no appointment or sign-up needed to access the pantry. Simply visit us during our opening hours, and our staff will walk you through the shopping process and get you set up with a shopping profile. If you prefer to shop online for your first time, we will help you set up your profile with us when you pick up your order.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, our pantry distributed roughly 2000lbs of food to around 200 students every month. This consistent support helps reduce food insecurity on campus and ensures students can focus on their academic and personal success without the added stress of where their next meal will come from.
We are able to do this largely accredited to our partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository- a food bank that supplies food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and more all across the Chicagoland area. Our pantry is equipped with two industrial fridges and one freezer, so that we may provide items such as chicken, bread, milk, eggs, fresh produce, and various cold drinks.
Outside of providing a reliable source of food and hygiene items for our students, we are also building a consistent community of support. The pantry is involved with numerous student organizations and departments on campus, participating and collaborating in community events such as food/clothing drives, benefits concerts, volunteer trips, sustainability on campus events, and more. Students looking to join our events can keep an eye out for them via Laker Connect.
The CompMyMeal Program is a resource designed to provide students with an immediate meal while on campus. Students living in residential halls can donate their unused/unneeded meal swipes to the pantry for students in need to utilize. Students can visit the pantry and “check-out” a meal ticket that can be used at any point during the week in the dining hall for a warm and immediate meal.
To donate your meal swipes or learn more, head to our external website.
Need help paying for groceries? Answer a few questions to find out if you likely qualify for SNAP (food stamps). You can take the screener below or by texting “Food” to 74544. It will take less than 3 minutes.
If you would like to volunteer with the Laker Union Pantry, volunteer training sessions are hosted twice a month. Head to our website to register and learn more. Once a month the Laker Union Pantry takes a trip to the Greater Chicago Food Depository to give back. During our time there we re-pack large quantities of food into smaller packages that will be shipped around Chicago to food pantries like our own. Check out Laker Connect to join our next trip!
We are always in need of donations of the above-listed items. Donations can be dropped off at the Center for Student Involvement (WB323), Residence Life (WB 1411), and the pantry (WB309).
Monetary donations are also welcome. Please visit the giving website to make a contribution and specifically note the donation is intended for the student food & hygiene pantry. If you are an employee of Roosevelt University, you can utilize the payroll deduction for a one-time or reoccurring submission.
Utilizing the pantry and its programs are just some of the few ways we can help. For further resources and help in navigating food insecurity, reach out to our team at the pantry or send a message to hfi@roosevelt.edu and/or lakeruionpantry@roosevelt.edu.