IU Indianapolis offers a variety of resources to students and staff alike to assist with necessities such as food and household items, as well as professional attire.
Paw’s Pantry, located in suite 130 in the Campus Center, offers healthy foods and other goods for those struggling with food insecurity. They are open every Tuesday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Wednesday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., and Thursday from 12–6 p.m.
To access this resource, faculty and students must first sign into an online portal and schedule an appointment. Appointments with Paw’s Pantry are limited to one 15-minute visit per week and a CrimisonCard is required.
“You can actually get a bunch of things from milk, eggs, toilet paper, even ham, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream,” said Paws’ Pantry volunteer Alexa Maliano. Paws’ Pantry is mostly managed by student volunteers, and is currently accepting more volunteers.
Shopping at Paws’ Pantry is made simple with seven different categories: red, blue, green, yellow, produce, household and personal hygiene.
Items in red crates are categorized by containing 11+ servings, blue has 6-10 servings, green has 1-1.5 and yellow has 2-5 servings. Shoppers are offered up to two items from red and blue crates, five items from green crates and four items from yellow crates per visit.
Produce is unrestricted, and household items allow up to two freezer items, toilet paper and milk or a carton of eggs. Personal hygiene allows menstrual products, five travel-size items and a toothbrush.
“I think it is very nice to emphasize that your income does not matter – you can still come to Paws’ Pantry,” said Maliano.
In a study about food insecurity in college campuses across the United States, “The National Library of Medicine” found that regardless of financial literacy or background, the financial burden of merely being a college student impacts a significant portion of student populations.
“I think we are all pretty much in the same boat: we are all struggling college students. So, I think having options, especially if you aren’t financially able to buy your own food or you don’t have transportation and you can’t go to the grocery store – whatever the case may be – I think having resources like Paw’s Pantry is always beneficial,” said Paw’s Pantry volunteer Syndy Brown.
Some students may feel a stigma imposed on them for taking advantage of such resources such as Paw’s Pantry and Hire Attire.
“I don’t think it should be awkward,” Brown said. “I don’t think anybody really wants to admit that they need help, but we are here because we want to help other people and we want to be able to provide our community with the services that they need.”
If a student or faculty member is in need of professional or business casual attire, they can visit Hire Attire, located in the Office of Student Employment in Hine Hall, suite 210.
Like Paws’ Pantry, Hire Attire will eventually be available by appointment only, but currently they are only hosting pop-up events for students to get free professional wear without being required to schedule an appointment first.
The next pop-up event is on Friday, Oct. 18, and to stay updated for future pop-up events, follow @jobforjags on Instagram.
“We offer free professional wear for students to do interviews and get in the door. All the clothes provided are donated by people in the community and staff members,” said Michael Young, Hire Attire intern and office support assistant for the Office of Student Employment. “Going into the future we will have a physical closet with more options available that will be here in Tower, and then you’ll be able to schedule appointments for a more one-on-one experience.”
At Hire Attire, students can get one of each item to create a full outfit per visit, such as a top and bottom or dress. The Hire Attire office is also working on getting more outfit components, such as shoes, jewelry, purses, belts and other accessories.
If an item does not fit, students are more than welcome to return the clothing back to the Office of Student Employment.
Young emphasized that resources such as Paws’ Pantry and Hire Attire are meant to be empowering, allowing students to have the materials they need to succeed.
“You pay a lot of money to be here, you sacrifice a lot to be here, it’s not a charity or a handout. It’s what is included in your IUI experience, and anybody can come,” said Young.
In addition to Paws’ Pantry and Hire Attire, there are other resources available, such as the Community Compass App, Aunt Bertha site and Indy 211.
Those who don't need to utilize these resources can contribute through volunteering or donations. To volunteer with Paws’ Pantry you can contact jagsfood@iu.edu. Or if you are interested in volunteering with Hire Attire you can contact future@iu.edu.
“I would like for more people to donate and for more people to come here and volunteer,” said Maliano.
Salsabil F. Qaddoura is an undergraduate student on a pre-law track. She is passionate about public service and volunteerism to better our communities and the world.
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