Portland Campus Food Pantry logo

Portland Campus Food Pantry

The Portland Campus Food Pantry provides temporary supplemental food assistance and resources to 吃瓜爆料 students at no cost. 

Created by 吃瓜爆料 students with the support of the Graduate and Professional Student Association, the Office of Student Life and the Office of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs, the pantry provides essential groceries and personal items to any student on the Portland Campus for the Health Sciences experiencing food insecurity. Any student can receive nutrition support and resources to encourage a well-balanced life.

Mission and Vision

Embracing the 吃瓜爆料 mission and vision statements and core values, the 吃瓜爆料 Portland Campus Food Pantry program supports student success by providing temporary supplemental food assistance and resources to 吃瓜爆料 students at no cost. 

Our vision is to alleviate barriers associated with food insecurity, and to ensure that no student goes hungry because of a lack of access to food or funding.

Using the Portland Campus Food Pantry

Take What You Need, Leave What You Can

If you are a 吃瓜爆料 student on the Portland Campus, who is registered for the current semester and has a Nor鈥檈aster ID card, you can visit the pantry as needed. The pantry stocks a variety of food staples, household items (paper towels, bath tissue, etc.), and personal care items (deodorant, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, shaving items). The items on our shelves may change depending on availability. The pantry will also provide community and campus resources to assist in meeting other unmet basic needs.

Donating to the food pantry

Financial Contributions

90% of all pantry items are purchased. Because of this, finances are critical. One of the best impacts you can have is to make a financial contribution.

Thank you to the organizations that have generously contributed to our food pantry. Your financial support plays a vital role in helping us provide food and hope to those in need. We deeply appreciate your commitment to our community and your generosity in making a difference. The following organizations have contributed:

  • Northeast Federal Credit Union
  • Hannaford Supermarkets
  • 吃瓜爆料 Graduate and Professional Student Association

Food Donations

Donation of food items and personal and household products are gratefully accepted and can be dropped off at:

  • Graduate and Professional Student Affairs, Proctor Hall, 02
  • Alexander Hall lobby
  • At the Pantry, Finley Recreation Center

Below are items that are always needed.

Proteins
  • Canned meats: chicken, ham, spam, corned beef
  • Canned chili
  • Fish (canned or packets): tuna, salmon, sardines
  • Nut/ seed butter: peanut, almond, sunflower
  • Shelf-stable cheeses: parmesan, cheese spreads
  • Shelf-stable meats: pepperoni, summer sausage
  • Jerky: mushroom, beef, turkey
  • Assorted nut mixes
  • Protein bars
Fruits and Vegetables
  • Apple sauce
  • Dried fruit: mango, cranberries, raisins
  • Canned fruit: mandarins, peaches, pineapples
  • Individual fruit cups
  • Fruit strips or gummies
  • Canned vegetables: green beans, peas, corn, carrots, tomatoes, veg-all
  • Pizza Sauce (cans or jars)
Grains and Carbs
  • Pasta: spaghetti, linguine, penne, macaroni
  • Rice: instant packages, bags
  • Beans (canned or dry): pinto, black, cannellini
  • Shelf stable pizza crust
  • Tortillas
  • Cereal and granola (individual packages or boxes)
  • Cereal bars and granola bars
  • Trail Mix
  • Crackers
  • Rice cakes
  • Pretzels
Personal Items
  • Soaps
  • Shampoos/Conditioners
  • Razors/Shaving cream
  • Feminine products
Household Items
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper towels
  • Sponges/dish soap
  • Cleaning products

Volunteer Information

If you鈥檙e interested in volunteering in the food pantry, please contact pcstudentlife@une.edu

Additional Resources

Campus Resources

Office of Safety and Security鈥 
Emergency Situations: 吃瓜爆料 Extension 366 or鈥(207) 283-0176鈥 
Non-emergency situations: (207) 602-2298鈥 

Student Health Center鈥 
Portland (207) 221-4242鈥 

Student Counseling Center鈥 
Portland (207) 221-4550鈥 
pcstudentcounseling@une.edu

If you are a Portland or Biddeford campus-affiliated student and are currently experiencing a mental health crisis, you can reach 吃瓜爆料鈥檚 on-call counselor by calling (207) 602-2549 and then pressing six.

Office of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance
Portland (207) 221-4554鈥 
titleix@une.edu                             

Graduate and Professional Student Affairs鈥 
Portland (207) 221-4212鈥 
pcstudentaffairs@une.edu

Office of Student Life 
Portland (207) 221-4212鈥 
pcstudentlife@une.edu

Graduate and Professional Student Association
Portland (207) 221-4212
gapsa@une.edu 

Community Resources

Food Pantries in Portland

View a in the Portland area.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

Do you have young children or are you pregnant? to determine if you鈥檙e eligible to receive WIC benefits.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed)

SNAP-Ed provides nutrition education services in settings like schools, food pantries, Head Start CENTERS and other childcare settings, work sites, housing developments, grocery stores, and regional DHHS offices. Call 1 (800) 442-6003 or .

You can also use SNAP at Farmers鈥 Markets and receive to save on fruits and vegetables.

211 Maine

is a free, confidential information and referral service that connects people of all ages across Maine to local services.

Crisis Response

An off-campus resource is available 24 hours a day by calling 1 (888) 568-1112.

For immediate support, you can also reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 or texting 鈥淗ome鈥 to 741741.

FAQ about the Portland Campus Food Pantry

What is food insecurity?

Food insecurity is a lack of access to sufficient food to meet one鈥檚 basic needs. It is important to know that though hunger and food insecurity are closely related, they are two different things. Hunger refers to a physical sensation of discomfort caused by a lack of food and the desire to eat. Food insecurity and hunger are typically tied to a lack of available financial resources for food to maintain one鈥檚 health and wellness.

Are there income requirements to receive food?

If you are a 吃瓜爆料 student who self-identifies as having food insecurity, you may get food from the pantry. There is no income cutoff or proof of income required.

What are the pantry鈥檚 privacy policies?

Other 吃瓜爆料 students may see who use the pantry when picking up food. Everyone who uses the pantry鈥檚 services is expected to be respectful of the needs of their peers and keep all encounters confidential.

Your 吃瓜爆料 ID is used for access to the pantry using the card access system. ID use allows the pantry to improve the quality of services provided by tracking usage, peak times, etc. Should there be a recall on any food item distributed from the pantry, personal identification information may be pulled to notify users.

What do I need to bring when using the pantry?

You will need to bring you 吃瓜爆料 ID and a reusable shopping bag.

Are there limits on how much food can be taken?

Our philosophy is 鈥渢ake what you need, leave what you can.鈥

The pantry asks that the you takes only the food you need for your household, and not to take more than needed. You are asked not to take food items you don鈥檛 like. If you who know of others who might need help obtaining food, but are not UNE students, you can find information on local resources above.

How often can someone visit the pantry?

Currently there is no limit. We ask that you to only take what you may need. 

What type of food is available?

Currently, most of the food items are nonperishables. The pantry is looking to expand offerings in the future. If there are items that may be needed due to dietary needs (allergies, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.), please use the suggestion box in the pantry to provide information. We will do our best to provide varied options. 

How can I find out what other assistance might be available?

You may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other programs. Check the resources information above for additional information on community and campus resources.

Does the pantry provide anything other than food?

Currently, the pantry provides some household and personal items. Availability may be limited as the focus in on food needs.