Now open in Rutherford Library!

For the campus community, by the campus community.

This space has been converted into a Community Food Pantry with a freezer, fridge, shelving, and frosted glass.

Do you work or study on North Campus?
It’s EASY to support the pantry!

Pick up extra on your next grocery trip and drop off at the pantry anytime Rutherford Library is open (just bring your ONEcard for door access).

MOST REQUESTED ITEMS

Halal meats
Fresh fruit & vegetables
Eggs
Yogurt
Rice
Lentils
Chickpeas
Granola bars
Individual snacks

What is a community pantry?

A community pantry is a place where people can both leave donations and pick up food to take home. There are examples of pantries supporting food security on campuses across North America.

Why do we need a pantry at University of Alberta?

Campus Food Bank aims to provide a range of food education and food access options to the UofA community we serve. Currently, our supplementary grocery program, which provides about one week of groceries to clients, is experiencing a sharp peak in demand and appointments are booked for three to four weeks out. A community pantry allows people who just need help finding dinner or tomorrow’s meals to drop by and pick up a few options.

How does the pantry operate?

The pantry is accessible with any ONEcard, anytime Rutherford Library is open. You do not need to request extra card access. The pantry will be entirely dependent on community donations, which can be dropped off anytime. People needing some food to take home can stop and take a few items anytime. We ask that people limit their shopping to about five items per person in their household, to ensure that donations can support as many people as possible. Campus Food Bank volunteers will monitor the space throughout the day for cleanliness, food safety, and other maintenance. Photos of current stock will be posted frequently on Instagram @uofapantry.

  • Pick up food

    Shelves empty and nothing for dinner? Leaving a long study session to head to class but need some nutrition? That’s what the UofA Community Pantry is for!

    Anyone with a valid ONEcard can access the UofA Community Pantry, anytime Rutherford Library is open.

    We ask that you please read and follow all signage in the space and limit yourself to taking about five items per person in your household per visit.

    Reusable bags may sometimes be available but we recommend bringing your own bags to take food home.

    Have requests? Leave a message on our pantry whiteboard or email us at pantry@campusfoodbank.com!

  • Donate food

    Anyone with a valid ONEcard can access the pantry space to drop off food. (If you don’t have a ONEcard, you can drop off at the Campus Food Bank in SUB.)

    Food donations can be non-perishables, produce, or frozen as we have a reach-in fridge and freezer in the pantry. We have created a Sample Shopping List for our Adopt-a-Week program that provides ideas for anyone donating food to the pantry. We also keep an updated list of items that users have requested on our pantry whiteboard.

    Donations cannot be leftover or opened foods. No pest-attracting catering remains, please!

Help us keep the pantry full all year long: sign up your campus unit or community group to our Adopt-a-Week program!

A big thank you to the following groups for adopting the pantry in 2024:

  • Department of Biomedical Engineering

  • Dean of Students’ Office

  • Department of Philosophy

  • Alpha Gamma Delta sorority

Learn more about how you can help through adopting a week of the pantry! Sign up now and help us ensure the shelves are full year-round.

Support the pantry with a donation
to the Campus Food Bank!

The Community Food Pantry is an important piece of food security work by the Campus Food Bank, a registered charity operating on University of Alberta campuses since 1991.

CFB has experienced a stark increase in demand during the past few years. Five years ago, we were supporting 100 families per month; today we support more than 1,000. In the same period, our budget has increased 225 percent.

Donations made through this page will be used specifically to shop for the Pantry, and specifically when community and Adopt-a-Week food donations are running low.