"No student should go hungry whilst waiting for their next maintenance loan or pay packet." - Joe McGarry, 2022-2023 SU President

The pantry was set up to prevent students from falling into food poverty, which can adversely affect students’ wellbeing and academic success. The Student Pantry provides a sustainable, accessible, and stigma-free solution to tackle this.

The Student Pantry is free to use and is stocked with tins, jars, rice, pasta, and toiletries. There is no need for a referral, and students can take what they need. Email ask@durhamsu.com to arrange a time to access the Student Pantry.

The Student Pantry is stocked with generous donations from staff and students.

You can donate unopened, in-date, non-perishable produce and toiletries to the SU reception in Dunelm House. Alternatively, you can donate via our JustGiving page here.

We accept donations of:

• Cereal
• Soup
• Pasta
• Rice
• Tinned tomatoes/pasta sauce
• Lentils, beans and pulses
• Tinned meat
• Tinned vegetables
• Tea/coffee
• Tinned fruit
• Biscuits
• UHT milk
• Fruit juice
• Toiletries (sanitary products, deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste)

Opening times are:

Monday-Friday: 10:00 - 17:00, 19:00-23:00

Saturday: 16:00 - 23.00

Sunday: Closed

Durham Students’ Union, Dunelm House

The initial supply for the student pantry was set up and funded by the Students’ Union. We know that the cost of living crisis is impacting everyone, staff, local residents and students alike, but we rely on donations moving forward to ensure food parcels can continue to be available to those students who need it most. If you are able, and would like to, make a donation to the student pantry, you can do so by dropping items off at the SU Reception, in Dunelm House. Alternatively, you can donate via a JustGiving page here. 

You may also be able to donate to your JCR, check with your JCR President for more details. If you want some guidance on what is suitable to be donated, our list above is based on the contents of the Trussel Trust food parcels.

In March 2022, the National Union for Students (NUS) reported that 5% of students are using food banks and in 2021 this number was even higher, at 1 in 10. It is safe to assume that with the rising cost of much of what students spend their money on (utilities, rent, food), this number will increase. Universities and Students’ Unions across the country are rightly putting increased measures in place to ensure students are supported during this time. For example Durham University’s Instant Access Hardship Fund of £50, which will be invaluable to those students who need it most. However, an amount of £50 at a time where the average food shop for one person is £28.70 per week (Nimblefins analysis of ONS data from June 2021 to June 2022) won’t last long, coupled with the drastic rises in energy bills and rental amounts. The Student Pantry will provide an essential safety net for students facing financial difficulty who are out of options.

We’ve pledged to not allow any student to go cold or hungry this year, and we will continue to work hard to make sure the pantry is well sustained so it can be used by those who need it most.