Volunteer at Paws' Pantry and Paws' Closet

Help build a stronger, healthier IUPUI community

Did you know Paws' Pantry and Paws' Closet are run by students like you? It’s true.

Founded in 2013, the food pantry is dedicated to helping relieve food insecurity inside the IUPUI community. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to shop twice per month using a limit system.

Paws' Closet became our latest effort, added in 2018. It's dedicated to helping relieve your financial burdens related to purchasing clothes. All IUPUI students can shop with us twice a month according to our limit system.

Paws' Pantry is open three days a week—Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (students only) and Thursday from noon until 6 p.m. (all IUPUI community members welcome). And you're welcome at Paws' Closet twice a week—Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m.

With so much happening, we could really use your help to keep it going.

1 in 5IUPUI freshmen are below the poverty line and considered food insecure

150+IUPUI community members use the pantry each week

16,000+pantry items have been distributed to the Jaguar community

Volunteer your time

Because Paws' Pantry and Paws' Closet rely heavily on student volunteers, we need your help to make sure everyone who needs our services in the IUPUI community has the opportunity to shop with us.

We are always looking for reliable, dedicated volunteers to work with us. As a volunteer, you can work the check-in and check-out table during operating hours, collect donations from the orange Paws' Pantry food crates and around campus, or sort donations.

For Paws' Pantry, all we ask is that you sign up for a minimum of 10 hours (five two-hour shifts) over the course of the semester and that you don’t sign up for a shift that you can’t complete.

And don’t worry—when you show up for your first shift, we’ll make sure someone is there to show you the ropes.

Paws' Closet Wishlist and Guidelines

  • Gently used, contemporary, and clean clothing from a non-smoking home
  • Casual patterned or plain tops
  • T-shirts and polos with limited logos and business names
  • Jeans, khakis, slacks, dress capris, skirts, and dresses
  • Casual and professional footwear
  • Purses, neckties, scarves, and jewelry (except earrings)
  • Business attire, including pant or skirt suits, jackets, blouses, and button-down shirts

Make a financial gift

Help Paws' Pantry and Paws' Closet from wherever you are by making a financial gift. We’ll use 100 percent of your donation to buy food and clothing.

Make a gift