Donations
To meet the growing demand, the Maverick Food Pantry accepts non-perishable food items, individually packaged toiletries, and personal hygiene items.
Bring in Donations
To find our most up-to-date wants and needs, visit Our Needs Right Now.
We also accept cash, check, and gift cards to local grocery stores.
Dropping Off Donations
Donations can be dropped off to the Food Pantry in the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC) during our hours of operation:
Mondays: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Tuesdays: 9 A.M. - 6 P.M.
Wednesdays: 12 P.M. - 7 P.M.
Thursdays: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Fridays: 9 A.M. - 6 P.M.
Donors can park in Lot E, the CEC is building 8. A parking map can be found here. Please tell the parking lot attendant you are here for a Food Pantry donation. Once parked, please call 402.554.5978 for assistance in bringing your donation in.
If the pantry is closed when you come to donate please either leave it in front of one of our doors, or at the front desk in the CEC and we will grab it when a worker is present!
Donate Online
Monetary donations can be made through the NU Foundation's Maverick Food Pantry Excellence Fund.
We created a wishlist for personal hygiene items as well as supplies needed to make and store meals four guests. These items will be mailed directly to the Food Pantry. View the Maverick Food Pantry's Wishlist!
Hold a Donation Drive
Hosting your own donation drive is a chance to get creatively engage your community.
- If you are considering hosting a donation drive, please contact us at unomavfoodpantry@unomaha.edu so we can give you an up-to-date list of our biggest needs.
- We would also like to share social media marketing if given enough notice. Let us help you by liking and reposting your social media announcements!
Tips for a successful donation drive:
Get organized:
- Contact us to coordinate efforts.
- Pick a theme to boost drive involvement.
- Think of certain holidays or events: "Novembrrr" for hats and gloves or "Souper Bowl" for cans of soup
- Think of a play on words: "Let's Spread the Word" for peanut butter, jelly, mayo or "Spring Showers" for personal hygiene items like soap, shampoos, conditioners
Setting goals and a timeline:
- How much do you want to collect?
- What are your start and end dates?
- Will you be keeping track of donations in a certain way?
- Share on social media, hand out fliers, email organizational members are just some ways to engage potential donors.
- Don't forget to give yourself credit by adding your logo to the promotional material.
- We also ask that you add "in support of the Maverick Food Pantry."
- Think about if you want to collect online, in-person, at multiple locations, etc.
- Keep track of progress and how close you are to your goals.
- As donations are received, ensure items are not damaged, opened, or expired.
- Invite donors to assist in delivery of donations!
- Wear organizational t-shirts and take pictures with your donations!
Celebrate!!!
Whether you gathered one item or 2000 pounds - you made a difference!!!
Thank You!
Donations are tax-deductible.
We are in the practice of sending thank you notes as well as tax information. If you send a donation through Amazon, please email us to receive this information. If you donate in person, we will collect your information to send these documents.