Food & Clothing Services

Fuel up and dress for success

We know how hard it is to concentrate when you’re in a financial pinch and wondering how you're going to meet your basic needs. You might be anxious about where your next meal will come from or where to find an outfit for a job interview. Paws' Pantry and Paws' Closet are here to reduce your worries by providing you with food and clothing assistance so you can finish school.

Paws’ Pantry offers free healthy food to IUPUI students, staff, and faculty struggling with food insecurity. Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability or nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.

Paws’ Closet offers clothing and accessories to students experiencing clothing insecurity. Clothing insecurity is the inability to obtain or purchase adequate clothing or to wash and maintain clothing in an adequate condition.

How it works

Paws’ Pantry operates using the honor system. At your first visit, we will ask you to complete a simple client form, which asks for general personal and demographic information. At each following visit, we will ask for your CrimsonCard. You can visit the pantry once per week.

Paws’ Closet operates by a referral system. Students in need of professional or business wear for a job interview or internship or winter weather gear can email pcloset@iupui.edu to request an appointment. You can request up to two appointments per academic year—one appointment for professional wear and one appointment for winter weather gear. You will need to fill out a simple client form for each visit.

The PAWS stuffed character sitting with some macaroni and cheese.

Paws' Pantry

Learn more about how to shop at the pantry.

Pantry information
The stuffed PAWS character on a rack of clothes.

Paws' Closet

Learn more about how to shop at the closet.

Closet information

Every dollar counts

We couldn’t operate Paws’ Pantry or Paws’ Closet without our generous donors. They ensure the pantry and closet are full of food and clothing items to help you meet your basic needs. Every donation—monetary or in-kind—goes directly to supporting the operations of these services and supporting thousands of students, faculty, and staff each year.

Consider making your gift today. Make a donation

Student applying color coded stickers to items for use at Paws' pantry.
Two students talking on a bench outside in the courtyard outside of Cavanaugh Hall.

Thank you for your support

Paws' Closet Sponsors:
The IUPUI Welcoming Campus Innovation Fund

Paws' Pantry Sponsors:
Robert H. McKinney School of Law: Development Office, Health Policy and Management at Fairbanks School of Public Health​, Academic and Career Development, Center for Teaching and Learning, University Library, Liberal Arts Alumni Association Board, Office of Executive Vice President for University Academic Affairs, Campus Center and Student Experiences, Student Affairs, School of Social Work, Division of Enrollment Management (Admissions), Herron School of Art and Design, Institute for Engaged Learning, IUPUI Alumni Council, IUPUI School of Science Alumni Board

Donate to the pantry or closet

If your closet is full at home or you’re wanting to help a fellow Jag with their next meal, we take in-kind donations to both Paws’ Pantry and Paws’ Closet. For the pantry, you can drop off nonperishable food items and personal hygiene products in the orange bins outside of Campus Center 130. For the closet, consider donating your gently used items and fill out this donation form to get the process started. Your donation can make a world of difference for a fellow Jag.