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What is the HSRC Food Pantry?

The HSRC Food Pantry is a Human Services Resource Center program that distributes food to limited-income individuals and families via their shopping-style days, Fresh Food Fridays, and food boxes. The HSRC Food Pantry is located at 1030 SW Madison Avenue in the building called Avery House (also called Avery Lodge). Click here to view the full HSRC Food Pantry schedule. During the shopping-style days that the Food Pantry offers three to four days per month, a client can sign in at the Avery House front desk and then pick out his/her share of fresh produce, frozen goods (mostly meat and vegetables), and non-perishable items (grains, canned food, and much more). They often also carry items like coffee, tea, and snacks and sometimes the Food Pantry offers non-food items like feminine hygiene products and baby diapers. These shopping style days are designed to feed an individual or a family for an entire week; on average, the HSRC provides 18 lbs of food per individual!

On days that the HSRC is not offering shopping-style events, anyone is welcome to come into the Food Pantry to pick up an emergency food box, which is usually enough food for a few days. Staff will ask about dietary restrictions and access to a freezer and stove. Emergency food boxes do not allow clients to personally select the foods that they want, like on the shopping-style days, but they do provide a well rounded selection of food to keep clients full.

The HSRC is now offering a new Food Pantry program called Fresh Food Fridays! Fresh Food Fridays allow clients to pick from a selection of produce and other fresh items. Produce is provided by partners including the Linn-Benton Food Share, Growing Food Security, Food for All, Sage Garden, Mid-Valley Harvest, Organic Growers Club, and others. Unfortunately the Food Pantry does not have sufficient resources to hold Fresh Food Fridays every single Friday; click here for the schedule.

Eligibility

You do not need to be an OSU staff or student in order to use the HSRC Food Pantry. The only eligibility requirement is that individuals or families fall within the income window. In addition, the HSRC does not require identification, proof of income, or verification of household size; clients must simply sign a statement affirming that they meet the qualifications. If a client already receives any other form of assistance, such as SNAP or TANF, he/she is qualified to receive food from the pantry.

The Food Pantry Needs Volunteers!

The Food Pantry is looking for faculty, staff, students, and community members to volunteer at the HSRC Food Pantry. Volunteers must simply complete a one hour training at the Avery Lodge (Avery House) any time Monday through Friday 11am to 3pm. Then you are added to the HSRC volunteer opportunities email list and can sign up to work at the pantry! Contact the HSRC Food Pantry via hsrc.foodpantry@oregonstate.edu or visit their website for more information!