Student Affairs

The Lion’s Pantry hosts fall open house to showcase renovations

The Lion’s Pantry will hold an open house on Friday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at its facility on Big Hollow Road.  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Lion’s Pantry, the official on-campus student food pantry at Penn State’s University Park campus, invites the Penn State community to attend its fall open house on Friday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. to tour recent renovations and new offerings.

The Lion’s Pantry completed a series of renovations during the summer to expand its services, including the installation of refrigeration and freezers to expand perishable food offerings.

The open house will occur at the Lion’s Pantry facility on Big Hollow Road near Lion Surplus.

For students and visitors without transportation, the campus shuttle runs weekdays until 6 p.m. and drops students off on Big Hollow Road near the Pantry’s facilities.

Attendees can tour the newly renovated facility during the open house as well as learn about food insecurity through our informational postings around the market.

Guests will have the opportunity to grab some light refreshments and interact with the student executive team, who will greet guests and answer questions about the Pantry throughout the event.

A collection bin will be available during the open house for donations on site.

“This is going to be an exciting year for our organization,” said Taylor Dorsett, president of Lion’s Pantry. “We are focusing on increasing collaboration, both in and outside the Penn State community. Join us at our open house to learn more about what we do, meet the executive team, and to see the newly renovated Pantry.”

Created in 2014 to address food insecurity within the Penn State community, The Lion’s Pantry is both student-created and student-led. The Lion’s Pantry serves every student with a valid Penn State ID with free food and household supplies — no questions asked.

The Lion’s Pantry accepts monetary and physical donations from the Penn State community to stock its shelves with unexpired, unopened, and non-perishable food and household products.

Financial gifts can be mailed to Student Affairs Development, 2601 Gateway Drive, #175, State College, PA 16801. Physical donations can be delivered to the Pantry during open hours and by appointment.

The Lion’s Pantry will hold open hours this fall during the following times:

  • Mondays, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.
  • Wednesdays, 2:45 to 7 p.m.
  • Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.
  • Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Open hours will develop throughout the semester depending on student needs and our student helpers’ availability and may change based on campus closures or other extenuating circumstances. Follow the Lion’s Pantry on social media for updated hours. Contact thelionspantry@psu.edu with questions.

Last Updated September 8, 2022