At UT Tyler, the Patriot Pantry stands as a cornerstone of support for students, staff, faculty, and community members facing food insecurity. Our mission is simple yet profound: to ensure no member of our university community has to attend class hungry. Driven entirely by the generosity of donors, we provide essential food and personal care items, embodying the spirit of Patriot Food accessibility for all.
Spring 2025 Operating Hours: Please note that our pantry hours are adjusted each semester to best serve our community’s needs. For Spring 2025, you can visit us during the following times:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The Patriot Pantry is closed during weekends and major university holidays to align with campus closures. However, we understand that emergencies can arise. For urgent situations requiring access outside of these hours, please contact the UT Tyler Police Department at 903.566.7300. They are authorized to provide access to the pantry in emergency scenarios, ensuring patriot food security even outside of regular hours.
For individuals facing immediate needs when the Patriot Pantry is unavailable, we encourage you to explore other valuable food resources in Tyler. The East Texas Food Bank (https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/) offers a comprehensive network of support within the wider Tyler community.
Location: Find us conveniently located in Library 223, just outside the main library doors. This central location ensures easy access for all members of the UT Tyler community seeking patriot food assistance.
Most Needed Items: Your donations are the lifeblood of the Patriot Pantry. To best serve our patrons, we have identified the following items as most in demand:
| Essential Food Items | Personal Care & Hygiene |
|---|---|
| > – Canned meats (chicken, tuna; pop-top lids preferred) | > – Toilet paper |
| > – Meals in a can (soup, stew, chili, ravioli) | > – Toothpaste |
| > – Hormel Compleats Meals | > – Toothbrushes |
| > – Canned fruit | > – Deodorant |
| > – On-the-go breakfast items (pop-tarts, cereal bars) | > – Bath and hygiene products |
| > – Snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, etc.) | |
| > – Pasta (mac-n-cheese, ramen, etc.) | |
| > – Peanut butter | |
| > – Jelly | |
| > – Cereal | |
| > – Pasta Sauce |
Items We Cannot Accept: To ensure the safety and quality of the patriot food we provide, we are unable to accept the following:
| Prohibited Items |
|---|
| – Expired items |
| – Baked goods |
| – Opened packaged foods |
| – Foods lacking expiration dates |
| – Raw meat |
Upcoming Events: Supporting the Patriot Pantry
School of Nursing 50th Anniversary Food Drive: Throughout February 2025, the School of Nursing is generously hosting a food drive to benefit the Patriot Pantry. Donation bins are conveniently located throughout the School of Nursing building. We extend our sincere gratitude to the School of Nursing for their partnership in providing patriot food for our community!
Donations for Citations Program: Students, here’s a unique opportunity to support the Patriot Pantry and reduce parking fines! Donate food items from our “Most Needed Items” list and receive up to $50 off your parking citation. (Terms and Conditions Apply): A valid photo ID must be presented. Credit can only be applied to existing parking citations, not towards parking passes. To receive the full $50 credit, donated items must match the Patriot Pantry’s needs list and quantity requirements. All donated items must be unopened and in undamaged condition. Each donated item is valued at $5 credit towards your citation. This innovative program allows you to contribute patriot food while managing parking expenses.
How to Donate to the Patriot Pantry
Your generosity fuels our mission to combat food insecurity within the UT Tyler community. We welcome both food and monetary donations throughout the year.
To arrange a food donation drop-off, please email us to coordinate logistics.
UT Tyler Faculty and Staff have the option to set up convenient payroll deductions to contribute regularly to the Patriot Pantry. Click here to set up payroll deduction.
Click here to donate online to the Patriot Pantry. Your contribution, large or small, helps us provide vital patriot food and resources to our UT Tyler family.
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