January Central Pantry Client Newsletter

Thank you for signing up to be a Central Pantry Client during the 2025-2026 school year!  The Central Pantry Monthly Newsletter will be sent on the first of each month with helpful reminders, upcoming dates of events and pantry closures, and information about other Central Pantry opportunities and food resources on campus!

If you ahve any questions, comments, or concerns about the Central Pantry or any of the additional programs, please email centralpantry@uco.edu.

Spring 2026 Pantry Hours

Central Pantry Main Location, NUC 151
Starting January 12th
Monday-Thursday | 9:00am-4:00pm
Friday | 11:00am-4:00pm

Central Pantry at the Wellness Collective
Starting January 20th
Tuesday & Wednesday | 2:00pm-7:00pm

Spring 2026 Pantry Closures

All Pantry Locations
MLK Day: January 19th
Spring Break: March 16th-20th
Summer Cleaning/Reset: May 11tth-15th

Spring 2026 Volunteer Applications Open

Interested in volunteering with Central Pantry for the Spring Semester?

Use this link to fill out the volunteer application today before Wednesday, January 14th at 5:00pm

Central Pantry Operations Reminders

Central Pantry Guidelines
1. All clients must have a valid UCO ID to use the Pantry.
2. All Clients must have a current Client Form on file with Community Engagement.
3. Only ONE client is allowed in the Pantry at a time.
4. Only the UCO Client should enter the Pantry during a visit.
5. Registered Clients can shop at the Pantry ONCE per week for their household.
6. Household counts should only include the client and any non-UCO members of a household.
7. Clients should follow the household guidelines listed in the Pantry unless otherwise specified (ie. Peanut Butter and Chip/Cookie quantities)

Central Pantry Procedures
When you are ready to shop at the Central Pantry each week, all you need to get started is your UCO ID!  The volunteer at the front desk will ask you to swipe your ID, ask for your first and last name and your household size.  This info will be recorded in our computer so that we are able to keep an accurate count of the people we are serving to submit for donation requests.

After checking in, grab a paper or plastic bag (or bring one of your own!) and start shopping using the numbers on our section signs.  Based on your household size, you will be able to grab a certain number of items from each area--please note that there are exceptions to this rule in the Protein and Miscellaneous sections when it comes to Peanut Butter and chips/cookies.

When you are done shopping, grab your ID from the volunteer at the front desk, and we will see you next week! 

If there is ever someone already in the Pantry when you arrive, please wait for your turn outside the door and form a line.  The Pantry is a small space that cannot comfortably accomodate or give proper privacy to more than one person.

When You Shop, Please Remember...

1. The person helping at the front desk is a volunteer and a UCO student, faculty, or staff member.  Please be kind and respectful when they are checking you in and reminding you of any Central Pantry Guidelines.
2. The Central Pantry is stocked by donations.  We try to keep the shelves full in every category, but if donations are low, our stock will be low. We get new items every week, so just check back next week if you can't find something!
3. The Central Pantry is a supplemental pantry.  We only consistently carry shelf stable and non-perishable items.  You will not find items like fresh meat, dairy products, eggs, or fresh produce in the Central Pantry.
4. Items in the Central Pantry may be on a shelf past their noted "Best By" date.  Our pantry locations follow all recommended FDA Expiration Guidelines when stocking our shelves and many items are still good to be serve in a pantry setting past these dates.  These dates can be found posted at each location.  If you do not want an item because of this, it is ok...please just select a different item.
5. Community Engagement staff and Central Pantry volunteers are here to help!  If you have questions, concerns or needs for additional community resources, let us know and we can help!