News and Announcements

Adopt the Memorial Union Little Free Pantry for Fall 2026

Posted: 2026-08-05 15:26:48   Expiration: 2026-09-10 15:26:48

NDSU departments and groups can sign up to stock the Memorial Union Little Free Pantry for a week this fall, helping keep emergency food and hygiene items available to anyone on campus who needs them.

The Little Free Pantry in the Memorial Union is open for adoption by NDSU departments and groups for the fall 2026 semester. Adopting the pantry means committing to stock its shelves at least once during your adoption week with non-expired, unopened, shelf-stable items in good condition. Past participants have reported collecting an average of three boxes of assorted items. The sign to the right of the pantry notes which organization has adopted it for that week.

Thanks to the donations received in May from Residence Life, no adoptions are needed until the first week of September. You can still reserve your week now using the sign-up link below.

The adoption is for the Little Free Pantry located in the Memorial Union. The Barry Hall Little Free Pantry is managed by the College of Business. Contact Kay Hopkins to donate to the Barry Hall Pantry.

Sign up to adopt the MU Little Free Pantry 

What Is a Little Free Pantry?

The mini pantry movement is a grassroots, crowdsourced solution to immediate and local need. Whether the need is for food or the desire to give, mini pantries help feed neighbors and nourish neighborhoods. Take what you need. Give what you can.

Common Needs

  • Canned meats like chicken or tuna
  • Peanut butter (snack size or regular)
  • Assorted nuts and trail mix
  • Cereal bars and oatmeal packets
  • Soups and crackers
  • Pasta and small jars of pesto or tomato sauce
  • Powdered milk packets
  • Individual fruit cups
  • Rice or microwavable rice-based packets
  • Flour or corn tortillas
  • Healthy snacks and protein bars
  • Potato flakes
  • Pancake and muffin mix (smaller packets are great)
  • Hygiene items (travel sizes are great)

 

Prefer to have items shipped directly to the Memorial Union? Email Carin Engler to use the Amazon Wish List option instead.

How the Little Free Pantry Differs From Goods for the Herd

  • The Little Free Pantry is located in the Memorial Union across from the Herd Shop. It is a mini pantry available during Memorial Union operating hours to anyone in need.
  • Its purpose is an emergency food source. There is no application process for use.
  • The Goods for the Herd Food Pantry is a fully stocked pantry available through an intake form and by appointment only.

Questions

Carin Engler, carin.engler@ndsu.edu, is the contact for the Memorial Union Little Free Pantry. Reach out to Carin with questions.  

-- Academic Affairs: Haley Hamel