If you're interested in donating items to the Food Pantry at Iowa, you can drop off closed, non-perishable food and hygiene products at the cart in front of the Food Pantry on the ground floor of the IMU. If you're interested in donating perishable goods like fresh produce, eggs, or milk, please email us at studorg-foodpantry@uiowa.edu to make drop-off arrangements.

Most-Needed Food Items

Food items that we’re consistently in need of are listed below. Though we greatly appreciate any and all donations, we’re particularly interested in receiving these items! 

Grains & Starches

  • Basmati Rice
  • Jasmine Rice
  • Couscous
  • Fufu Flour
  • Rice Noodles
  • Glass Noodles

Oils

  • Vegetable Oil
  • Canola Oil
  • Olive Oil
  • Palm Oil

Legumes & Beans

  • Garbanzo Beans
  • Fava Beans
  • Lentils

Pantry Staples

  • Soy Sauce
  • Curry Paste
  • Tomato Paste
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Herbs And Spices

Proteins

  • Eggs
  • Tofu
  • Frozen Meat
  • Canned Tuna
  • Hummus
  • Tahini
  • Falafel

Dairy & Alternatives 

  • Milk
  • Plant-Based Milk
  • Cheese
  • Yogurt

Vegetables & Greens

  • Eggplant
  • Cucumbers
  • Yams
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Okra
  • Mustard Greens
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Grape Leaves

Fruits

  • Dates
  • Plantains
  • Coconuts

Specialty Items

  • Halal Food
  • Kosher Food
  • Gluten-Free Food
  • Baby Food
  • Pet Food

Most-Needed Non-Food Items

Non-food items that we’re consistently in need of are listed below. Though we greatly appreciate any and all donations, we’re particularly interested in receiving these items!

Personal Hygiene

  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Bars of Soap
  • Body Wash
  • Deodorant
  • Razors
  • Sanitary Pads

Paper Products

  • Facial Tissue
  • Toilet Paper
  • Paper Towels

Baby Care

  • Diapers (Especially Sizes 4, 5, and 6)
  • Baby Wipes

Household Essentials

  • Plastic Ziploc Bags (Quart and Gallon)
  • Painter’s Tape
  • Can Openers

Winter Clothing

  • Jackets
  • Hats
  • Scarves
  • Gloves

Donate through Amazon

The Food Pantry also accepts donations via our Amazon Wish List! If you purchase something on this list, it gets shipped right to us—no hassle at all for you.

Make a Monetary Gift to the Pantry 

If you would like to donate money to the food pantry, please mail a check or donate online!

You can mail a check to:
University of Iowa Center for Advancement
P.O. Box 4550
Iowa City, IA 52244-4550

Please make the check payable to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement and include the Student Life Food Insecurity Support Fund in the memo.

The Food Pantry at Iowa team appreciates your support as we work to fight food insecurity at the University of Iowa!