Hunger and food insecurity affect thousands of individuals and families around the country every day. At CMU, as many as one in every three students may be experiencing hunger. The Student Food Pantry is here to support students who need a little extra help, so they can focus on their academic success.
The Student Food Pantry is located at 1200 S Washington St (Robinson Hall), Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. The location is accessible via mobile device maps and includes on campus walking directions.
We are open weekly!
Summer Hours (Beginning May 11, 2026):
- Tuesday: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- Friday: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Semester Hours (Resumes August 17, 2026):
- Monday: 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 12 - 3:00 p.m.
If you are experiencing food insecurity, please create a profile on PantrySoft and fill out the Registration Form questions. The Student Food Pantry also offers care products (hygiene, cleaning, some kitchen, and school supplies).
First time visiting the Pantry? Stop in during our open hours and we'll help you get started -- no appointment or registration necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Pantry located?
The CMU Student Food Pantry is located under the Robinson Residential Restaurant near the North Campus Success Center. The address for the pantry is 1200 S Washington St (Robinson Hall), Mt Pleasant, MI 48858.
What are the requirements to receive support?
All currently enrolled CMU students are eligible to use the Student Food Pantry. There are no financial eligibility requirements. The Student Food Pantry is a resource for any student in need to use so they can focus on the things that really matter at CMU. Students frequently use the Pantry weekly to make ends meet, during breaks when they aren't working, if they were sick and missed a few days at work one week, and a variety of other reasons. If you could use some extra support in making your grocery dollars stretch, we hope you'll visit us.
Where can I find hygiene or cleaning products?
The Student Food Pantry offers a wide array of common hygiene products, cooking/food preparation utensils, cleaning products, and school supplies to meet your needs.
Are there other resources for students in need?
Several local non-profits are here to help students in need, including:
Clothing Inc.
Care Store
Financial Wellness Collaborative
Isabella County Restoration House
General Resource Assistance - dial 211
Salvation Army - Please call 989-773-4663
Max & Emily's, located downtown Mount Pleasant (125 E Broadway), is offering meals to people in need every day from 11:00 am- 2:00 pm. Please mention People Helping People (PHP).
More local resources can be found on our Food Resources document.
For students residing outside of the greater Mount Pleasant area, check out our Student Resources document.
Contact the Student Food Pantry in the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center at 989-774-7685 or via email at foodpantry@cmich.edu for assistance connecting to any other needs.
How can I refer a student to the Student Food Pantry?
Please complete the referral form on the Student Food Pantry Engage Central page and we'll reach out directly to the student with information about resources available at CMU and in the community. Thank you for supporting CMU students.
How can I support the Student Food Pantry?
Food and care item donations for the Student Food Pantry can be dropped off at the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center, located in the Bovee University Center, room 106. Please see the list of donation needs linked below and on the CMU Student Food Pantry Engage Portal.
Monetary donations in support of the Pantry can be made on our Fund CMU page.
What if I am not a student?
Several local non-profits support he local community's needs, including:
Isabella County Restoration House
Isabella Community Soup Kitchen
United Way General Assistance - Dial 211
Salvation Army - Please call 989-773-4663
STI Testing and Health Resources
Central Michigan District Health Department
CMDHD provides the most affordable STI testing services and health care in the Mt. Pleasant area.
Health and Wellness
Students in need of health care can find resources at CMU Student Health Services. On-campus clinics are staffed with board-certified health care professionals who can provide the treatment you need. Our staff can also work hand-in-hand with your family doctor or specialist to manage ongoing treatments and services while you are attending CMU.
The Student Food Pantry encourages students to know their status and get tested once a year (or between partners) to help stop the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
Please call the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center at 989-774-7685 or email foodpantry@cmich.edu with any other questions.
Student Food Pantry gets new, improved software system
Five months after relocating to Robinson Hall, the Central Michigan University Student Food Pantry is receiving a major technology upgrade.
Beginning Tuesday, October 14, the pantry will run on a brand-new software system. PantrySOFT will enhance every aspect of the pantry’s services, from student access to volunteer workflow.
Students can create a profile that includes details such as dietary restrictions, accessibility needs and the number of dependents – all information that helps the pantry better serve their needs. The system also adds email and text reminders as well as a comprehensive online shopping tool.
“They’ll be able to see all of our inventory online before they even come in to make sure we have what they need,” said Symantha Dattilo, interim director of the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center. “It’s going to significantly improve their experience – especially for students who have dietary restrictions. If we don’t have what they need, they shouldn’t have to wait to find that out.”
Students and volunteers will both benefit from a much more efficient check-in and check-out process, which is an area where the food pantry has historically faced a bottleneck.
“This will help us breeze right through that,” Dattilo said.
Other key highlights include improved inventory management, detailed usage statistics and volunteer tracking – all things that will allow the pantry to be more intentional in how it serves its users and shares its success with donors and the community.
“Nothing that the pantry does would be possible without donors, and this software is included in that,” Dattilo said. “This is being funded by donors and is going to significantly improve both the student-user experience as well as the staff and volunteer experience.”
The Pantry will be closed on Thursday, October 10 and Monday, October 13 to train staff and update online inventory ahead of the October 14 launch. Students are encouraged to create an online profile prior to their next visit to ensure uninterrupted access to pantry services once the new system goes live.
