Food Pantries – Freestanding

Giving Food

Please feel free to fill these pantries with food any time! Please be respectful of the contents and the structure of the pantry itself. The doors are especially prone to wind damage. 

The number one rule to donating food is to consider if what you are donating is something you would feed your loved ones. Many people have had to use pantries to get by at some point in their lives and having well stocked pantries throughout Norman could be the difference between our neighbors having a meal for the evening and having to go to bed hungry. Anything you can give makes a big difference is greatly appreciated. Here are some guidelines to help you decide what to give.  

The USDA allows food to be donated past the “best before” and “sell by” dates, but please do not donate anything past its “expires on” date. 

Canned food (not canned meat) can be donated past the date listed as long as the can is not rusted or swollen.

None of our pantries can accept raw meat. Raw meat donations can be taken to Food and Shelter at 201 Reed Avenue.

Please don’t leave large containers of open food. If you have homecooked or unpackaged food to donate, it needs to be individually portioned, packaged, and marked with the ingredients, preparation date, and estimated expiration date. If you’re unsure about the expiration date, 3 days is a good default.

If you are dining at a restaurant and have leftover food that hasn’t been handled, please ask your server if they are able to package the food in a container and mark it with that day’s date, the ingredients, and estimated expiration date, and then take it to one of the fridge locations.

Bulk items can be separated into smaller portions: large bags of fruit, feminine products, candy, boxes of granola bars, etc. Individually wrapped items are sometimes best. Some of our pantries are open to the rain, so waterproof packaging like Ziploc baggies is especially helpful.

If you aren’t sure about something, please ask. 

Popular Items

Hygiene and health products are always needed. Please do not donate medicine.

Two of our pantries have a fridge and freezer! All other locations accept any non-perishable items.

A lot of children rely on school meals during the year and would love to have easy-to-grab snacks during the summer. 

• Fresh fruit and vegetables: apples, oranges, bananas
• Peanut butter, nut butters, jelly and jam
• Bread, rolls, croissants, bagels, muffins
• Canned food: soup, chili, stew, spaghettios, ravioli, pasta sauce
• Canned protein: tuna, chicken, ham, broth
• Canned vegetables: black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, white beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, corn, spinach, 
• Canned fruit: peaches, pears, pineapple, applesauce (cups or squeeze pouches)
• Cracker sandwiches, goldfish crackers, granola bars
• Raisins, craisins, trail mix, nuts, microwave popcorn
• Pasta, ramen, mac and cheese
• Rice in bags or pouches/boxes
• Cereal, pop tarts, instant oatmeal
• Water bottles, juice, soda, shelf-stable milk, almond and soy milk, tea, coffee
• Oil, salt & pepper, spices, and other cooking material
• Baby food and formula, diapers
• Can openers, basic kitchen items
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toothpaste/ toothbrushes
• Toiletries: soap, shampoo, sanitizer, deodorant, shaving cream
• Bandaids and first aid items
• Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues
• Cleaning supplies: all-purpose spray cleaner, dish soap, sponges and cloths, laundry soap, white vinegar

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