Support and Donate

From Fall 2022 to Spring 2023, the Campus Cupboard had 1,590 visit from 380+ unique students through online "Zips Care Packages" orders and walk-in hours visits at the pantry located in Simmons Hall. This amounts to over 3,000 pounds in items or more than 36,700 food and hygiene products distributed to UA students. With your support, a donation of $30 provides one student with a five-day supply of emergency food.

Drop Off @ Simmons Hall

Drop off donations to ZipAssist, located on the first floor of Simmons Hall via lobby front desk.

• Simmons Hall Address: 277 E. Buchtel Ave., Akron, OH 44325
• Temporary Drop Off Parking: located behind Simmons Hall off S. Forge Street at 100-172 S Forge St, Akron, OH 44308
• Have a lot of items? Give us a heads up call at 330-972-7272 so we can assist with a cart or email us to schedule a drop off time at cupboard@uakron.edu.

Shop on Amazon

You can also purchase food for the pantry through Amazon, using our Amazon Food Pantry Needs list.

• Select items that you wish to purchase and sponsor for the Cupboard.
• Ensure the items are send to:
  The University of Akron – ZipAssist
  277 E. Buchtel Ave.
  Akron, OH 44325-6222
• It’s not required but we encourage donors to include a note with your name and email so that we can thank you.

Monetary Support

To make a monetary donation to the Campus Cupboard, visit the University’s giving page and select "ZipAssist Campus Cupboard" from the drop down menu. UA employees can also give through Payroll Deduction.

Donation Guidelines

Donations are always needed and welcome. We kindly ask that you adhere to our donation guidelines.

Cupboard Food, Hygiene, and Cleaning Donations:

• All items must have labels
• All items must be sealed
• No homemade goods, including baked goods and home-canned items
• Expired items will not be accepted

Free Little Library Book Donations:

• Books can be donated directly to the Free Little Library
• For large book donations, see Drop Off @ Simmons Hall.

Professional Clothing Collab Donations:

• Accepted all year round.
• Professional clothes & winter gear only.
  • examples: shirt/blouse, skirt, pant, tie, suit blazer, suit set, cardigan, belt, etc.
  • examples: coat, gloves, scarf, winter hat, etc.
• Items must be free from rips, tears, missing buttons and stains.
• Items must be freshly washed/dry cleaned.
• We do not accept shoes, socks and undergarments.
• Hangers welcome.

Roo-Store Homeware & Furnishing Donations:

• Small items only accepted during April/May
• Large items only accepted during specific times in May

Donation Drives/Collaborations:

• February - Black’s History Month: Haircare and Hygiene Products
• March - Women’s History Month: Menstrual Products
• May - Mental Health Awareness and National Pet Month: Pet Food/Products
• June - Pride Month: Colorful and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables 
• July - Disability Pride Month: Donate an Item off the Amazon Wishlist
• September - National Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Food Items
• November - Donate an Item off the Items Needed Now List 
  • Native American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
  • November 13th - 19th, 2023 - Hunger & Homelessness week 

Does your organization want to arrange a donation drive to benefit the Campus Cupboard?

• Email us at cupboard@uakron.edu to let us know. 
• We are also happy to help arrange a drop off time, have carts available, take photos with your donations or arrange a special volunteer event for your organization.
  • Special volunteer events are customized to the need/desires of your group. Can include counting and processing donated items and learning more about our programs and your organization's impact!