Join us in Supporting Student Success
Over half (54%) of Portland State students reported experiencing some form of food insecurity in a given month, according to a 2024 report by the university’s Hunger and Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative. This rate is almost twenty percent higher than the national average for four-year institutions and nearly four times the national average for the general population (according to Feeding America data).
Some historically marginalized student populations have reported being food secure at a rate as high as 80%. At the same time, about a third of the world’s food supply is wasted each year.
Through our partnerships with donors like Oregon Food Bank and several local businesses, we distribute up to 20,000 lbs of food each week, most of which we acquire for FREE while re-routing it from becoming food waste. In 2023-24, we distributed 375,750 pounds of food valued at $1,550,000!
Donations to our PSU Foundation account allow us to to provide foods that students need most such as proteins and culturally-diverse food options. To help keep our shelves stocked, consider donating food or funds using the links below. All of our operational expenses are paid for by students through the Student Incidental Fee, so donation dollars go to items distributed straight to students!
For Fund Designation, select Student Services or Resource Centers to find PSU Smallwood Food Pantry
Email us at pantry@pdx.edu or drop by during our open hours with labeled, non-expired, undamaged nonperishable foods.
We would be delighted to help you help students by organizing a food drive. We can distribute bins and pick them up at the end of the drive if you do the promotion. For more information, please contact pantry@pdx.edu.
