Student Pantry and Resources

Food (subject to change based on donations):
Canned  foods (tuna, fruits, vegetables, SPAM, spaghetti, chicken, beans, soup, etc.), chips, granola bars, dried rice, instant ramen, peanut butter, chocolate, jam, popcorn, crackers, cookies, oats, dried tea, coffee packs, candy, etc.

Self care items (subject to change based on donations):
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, soap, deodorant, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, lotion, laundry detergent, skin care items, etc.

Monday - Friday

8:30am - 4:30pm

Aloha Tower Marketplace, Ste. 1400

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and University Holidays. 

The program provides HPU students with basic food and self-care essentials. If you would like to make a donation, it will be tremendously appreciated by students who are in genuine need. Having this available to students allows them to focus on being successful rather than worrying when they will eat next. Since we want to be sure they are provided with proper nutrition, below are the types of items we can accept:

Food: Must be 1) Non-expired, 2) Non-perishable, 3) Shelf-stable, and 4) Unopened. We are always in strong need of canned, dried, and packaged foods.

Examples of items we CANNOT accept are: raw fruits, raw vegetables, opened ziploc bags, opened drinks, expired food, home-made food.

Personal Care: We can always use soap, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toilet paper, lotion, razors, shaving cream, sun block, detergent dryer sheets, and feminine hygiene items.

Items most needed are: The pantry is low, so all items above are a huge help. Items that tend to leave the shelves quickest are peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, health bars, pull-tab cans, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene items.

note: Please bring unused, unopened items to donate to the Food Pantry. Based on our survey, students request healthy options, so donating as much healthy food as possible is very appreciated. Many students do not have access to a stove, so we want to provide more food that does not require cooking.

Where to bring your donations: Please bring your donations to the Student Life Office at 1 Aloha Tower Dr, #1400, Honolulu, HI 96813. Please place your donating items inside of the clear tote Donation Bins.

We also hold regular donation drives for the Food Pantry. Please follow @hpustudentactivities for the latest updates on our donation drives.

monetary donations: If you prefer to make a monetary donation to support our students in need, please click here and select "Student Emergency Fund." 


Mahalo nui loa to everyone who has donated! Here are some words of gratitude from students who come by the pantry:

• “I was so stressed about not having food this week since I don’t get paid from the VA until next week. I can’t believe to see all that’s offered here… the pantry is such a relief.”

• “At first I was ashamed to come in. But after my card declined when trying to buy lunch, I just came by anyway and am so glad I did.”

• “The last time I picked up some food I had a bit of fun getting creative with making meals. I made a healthy black bean and corn salad to enjoy while I studied.”

• "Thank you so much for doing this, it greatly helps students in a pinch." 

• "Thank you for all donations! I live with 3 other students and food is expensive. So we really only eat a full meal about twice a week. So this helps get some snacks and food on the go for us."

MEAL vouchers: HPU students may claim a free meal voucher, which can be traded for a buffet meal at Pier Nine by Sam Choy. Students who wish to claim their meal voucher may come to the Student Life Office, located at 1 Aloha Tower Dr. Ste. 1400. Please note that the meal vouchers do have an expiration date. Meal vouchers must be traded in before the end of the semester in which that meal voucher was issued, or else they will expire.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: HPU students can receive up to one meal voucher per semester. To be eligible, students must be an off-campus resident without a meal plan. Students who live in HPU housing (i.e., Harbor Lofts and Executive Centre), are ineligible to receive a meal voucher.

If you have any questions pertaining to the meal voucher program, please contact Dyson Chee, Assistant Director of Student Engagement, at dkchee@hpu.edu or 808-544-1496.

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

If you are interested in applying for SNAP (food stamp), and meet the eligibility requirement, consider applying for this public assistance program. For more information, click here. For the application, click here.

If you have questions pertaining to SNAP, please contact advising@hpu.edu.

STUDENT ACTION FUND FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF (SAFER)
The Student Action Fund for Emergency Relief (SAFER) provides limited emergency financial assistance to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of temporary hardship related to an unexpected situation. The fund is designated to offset a short-term financial need and is not intended to replace or supplement financial aid. Funds are awarded as a grant, and unlike a loan, do not need to be repaid. Funds may count as income and may be subject to federal and/or state taxes. The number of students who can be served by the fund is subject to available resources. The fund is sustained by contributions from alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the University.

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES (ALL OF THE FOLLOWING MUST APPLY)

-Applicant must be a currently enrolled student at HPU
-Applicant must have financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other critical incident
-Applicant must be able to provide sufficient documentation of financial hardship
-Other possible resources have been considered and are either unavailable or insufficient
-Priority will be given to students who have not applied for SAFER resources within the past year

APPLICATION
Students must submit a SAFER online application. A committee will review the application and determine the funding amount. If approved, students will be notified of the amount and the money will be distributed. Review of applications is an on-going process. Students receiving assistance from this fund must submit receipts within 10 days, unless there are extenuating circumstances which require an extension. Failure to do so could prohibit use of this fund in the future. 

TYPES OF EXPENSES THAT MAY BE COVERED
The following includes typical expenses that may be covered by the SAFER. This list is not exhaustive:

-Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, flood, theft, or natural disaster
-Emergency or temporary housing assistance
-Medications or costs related to emergency medical care (not covered by insurance)
-Assistance with rent or utilities due to an emergency situation
-Emergency transportation costs related to a family death or illness
(In extreme medical emergencies travel-related expenses for students family members will be considered)
-Safety-related needs (e.g., changing a lock)
-Other emergency situation that will impact a student's ability to fully participate in their academic career at HPU

TYPES OF EXPENSES THAT MAY NOT BE COVERED
The following includes examples of items that may NOT be covered by SAFER. This list is not exhaustive:

-Penalties, fines, tickets, legal fees, or jail bonds
-Lost IDs or meal cards
-Normal and anticipated academic expenses (e.g., tuition, fees, health insurance, books)
-Non-essential utilities, household or furniture costs not related to damage or theft
-Costs for entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel
-Replacement of non-essential personal items due to fire, flood, theft or natural disaster