The Crimson Cupboard will be closed from Monday, Dec. 23–Friday, Jan. 3.
Winter break hours
Fighting food insecurity on campus
Crimson Cupboard offers free, healthy food to IU Bloomington students, staff, and faculty who are struggling with food insecurity. Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. Stocked by donations and staffed by volunteers, this special food pantry lessens the effects of poverty and food insecurity in our community.
How it works
Crimson Cupboard operates on the honor system. We will never ask you for financial information.
When you come to the pantry, let the staff know that it is your first time shopping and they will help you with the simple sign-in form. The staff will also walk you through the shopping process and answer any questions that you may have.
Crimson Cupboard
Main Pantry
Campus View Apartments
800 N. Union Street
Bloomington, IN 47406
Satellite Food & Hygiene Pantry
Indiana Memorial Union
900 E. 7th St.
Next to the Biddle Hotel lobby
812-855-1924
Main Pantry Hours:
Mon.: 2:30–5 p.m.
Tues.–Wed.: 12–3 p.m.
Thurs.: 12–2:30 p.m.
Fri: 1–3 p.m.
Satellite Pantry Hours:
Mon.–Fri.: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Please check our social media accounts for the most up-to-date hours and pantry updates.
Hunger and Homelessness Week is Nov. 17–23
Join together with Hoosiers across campus to fight poverty and lend a hand to those in need.
What you can do
- Help fill the Crimson Cupboard Food Pantry by dropping off food and hygiene items at:
- Bill Garrett Fieldhouse (Near Member Services)
- Eigenmann Hall (Lobby between IU Outdoor Adventures and Accessible Educational Services)
- IU Tennis Center (Lobby)
- Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy (506 N Fess)
- Student Recreational Sports Center (Lobby)
- Student Health Center (Main Entrances on Floor 1 and Floor 2, Break Rooms on Floor 3 and Floor 4)
- Wellness House (10th & Eagleson) (Main Lobby)
- Attend an event
- Discover resources like IU's Basic Needs webpage and the Student Care and Resource Center
Food + Hygiene Drive
- Disposable Razors
- Shaving Cream/Gel
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Loofa
- Body Wash/Bar Soap
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush/Comb
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet Wipes/Baby Wipes
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Chapstick
- Lotion
- Bandaids/First Aid Kits
- Condoms
Note: Menstrual products are not needed at this time.
- Rice
- Pasta
- Cereal
- Soup
- Granola Bars
- Canned Meat
- Veggies
- Fruit
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Events
Monday, Nov. 18
5–6 p.m.
IMU Dogwood Room
Learn how to use Narcan with the Indiana Recovery Alliance and Student Wellness.
Tuesday, Nov. 19
12–3 p.m.
Crimson Cupboard
November recipe now available: Vegetarian Chili!
Wednesday, Nov. 20
4 p.m.
Union Street Center, Cedar Hall, BLAC C116
Learn strategies to better care for yourself and others.
Emergency Meal Program
Our Emergency Meal Program is available to students that are struggling with food insecurity. Food insecurity is when people don't have enough to eat and don't know where their next meal will come from.
- To receive an emergency meal, students must be registered shoppers at Crimson Cupboard food pantry.
- Student must demonstrate an emergency financial hardship that hinders their ability to purchase food.
- There is a limit of one emergency meal per week with a limit of five meals a semester, per student.
The Office of Student Life stands ready to support your overall IU experience. Please visit our basic needs webpage for additional resources as you navigate your IU journey.
If you have a general question about the emergency meal program, please email cupboard@iu.edu with your full name and inquiry.
Request an emergency meal
Volunteer at the food pantry
Volunteers keep the food pantry running for students in need. If you would like to volunteer your time at the Crimson Cupboard, send us an email at cupboard@iu.edu. We will contact you with training information and opportunities.
Donate to the food pantry
Food donations
If you would like to make a food donation or set up a food drive on behalf of Crimson Cupboard, please email us at cupboard@iu.edu.
Monetary donations
Donations to the Crimson Cupboard will go directly to helping students who are food insecure. If you would like to make a monetary donation to Crimson Cupboard, please email us at cupboard@iu.edu or make a gift to the IU Foundation’s Crimson Cupboard Fund.
