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An array of SHOP donation items

SHOP

Academic Year 2024-2025
Monday - Thursday: 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Friday: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Community Resources: Central New York Food Finder, SNAP Benefits Calculator, Food $en$e (food buying co-op)

SNAP Outreach and Support
Are you interested in applying for SNAP? Use our SNAP Eligibility Screening Tool to determine if you are eligible to apply. If eligible, you will be connected with a peer to help you apply.

Lending a Helping Hand

Students Helping Oz Peers —or SHOP for short—opened its pantry in October 2016 as the first student-run food and clothing pantry within the SUNY system. It provides students, faculty, and staff with FREE non-perishable food, toiletries, sexual and reproductive health products, and professional and winter apparel. SHOP is a collaborative effort between on and off campus partners who recognize the need to address food insecurity on our campus. SHOP is located in the basement of Penfield Library to the right of the elevator.

How To Get To Shop

Once you go through the front doors of Penfield Library, you will want to head to the back of the building where there is a sign that says elevator. Once in the elevator, select the button for the basement floor. Exit the elevator, turn to the right and look for the sign that says SHOP!

How it Works

This is a walk-in and confidential. No appointments required.

When users visit the SHOP, they may grab food, toiletries, sexual and reproductive health products, and professional and winter apparel. Upon acquiring their items, a volunteer will check them out by weighing, counting, and finally bagging their items.

Academic Year 2024-2025

Monday through Thursday: 1:00PM- 4:00PM
Friday: 1:00PM- 5:00PM

*Hours may be subject to change due to weather or academic breaks. Updates available on social media @shop_oswego.
 

 

Illustration of a yellow bag with the words "SHOP, Students Helping Oz Peers" on the front. A sock is folded over the top of the bag, and a can of peas and toothbrush are in front of the bag.
SHOP Student Bill of Rights
  • You will be treated with dignity and respect.
  • As an enrolled student, faculty or staff person you are entitled to receive food and clothing free of charge. 
  • Once registered with SHOP, you will receive a number that will be used to identify you (we do not share your personal information). 
  • You are not required to give donations, work for SHOP, or be part of any specific group. 
  • You are to receive food without discrimination against the basis of race, age, family status, gender, disability, religious belief or sexual preference. 
  • You are to be provided with information on how to access food, clothing, and any policies or procedures related to SHOP. 
  • You will have access to food items that meet local, state and federal standards for food safety SHOP will inform you of the types of food available. 
  • You have the opportunity to provide feedback on surveys, the comment box, or by email to [email protected].
  • You will receive information on other campus and community resources.

Give Time and Take Action 

We are now accepting volunteers for the Fall 2024 semester. Interested volunteers can fill out the SHOP volunteer form or send an email to [email protected].

Volunteering offers vital help to the campus community. Through volunteering you can make new connections, achieve personal goals, practice using your skills, and discover hidden talents.

Volunteer responsibilities include:

  • Providing services to students
  • Assisting with donation drives
  • Organizing donation items

Make a Donation

Email [email protected] to set up a donation of non-perishable food or other items. Donations can also be brought to SHOP during open hours. Please do not drop off at the library desk or leave items outside of SHOP!

Monetary Donations

Cash donations are accepted during regular business hours at the Auxiliary Services office, 506 Culkin Hall.

You can also donate online by making a one time gift or scheduling ongoing donations.

What SHOP Has To Offer

Thanks to generous donations, SHOP has a wide variety of items to offer the campus community.

We Accept

  •  
  • Non-perishable foods
  • Toiletries
  • Winter clothing (coats, hats/gloves, scarves and lightly used boots)
  • Business/Professional attire (lightly used slacks, blazers, suits, ties, and button-down long sleeve)
  • School supplies
  • Laundry detergent
  • Paper towels

We Do Not Accept

  •  
  • Bed sheets, bed toppers, pillows
  • Mattresses
  • Carpets, bath mats, towels
  • Underwear/undergarments
  • Socks, worn shoes
  • Cribs, car seats
  • Weapons
  • Razors
  • Perishable/expired foods
  • Snack Foods
  • Alcohol
  •  
  •  
  •  

We Currently Need

Food: 

  • Cereal
  • Canned soup
  • Canned meat (Tuna, chicken, etc.)
  • Peanutbutter and jelly/jam
  • Ramen
  • Pasta & pasta sauce

Toiletries: 

  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Mouthwash
  • Paper towels 

Our Impact

  • Over 400 users for Fall 2023
  • Most SHOP users are College Seniors

Please donate items or funds, or be a student volunteer!

National research shows that 22% of undergraduate students face food insecurity. Highest numbers seen in underrepresented groups.

Campus Events

A student volunteer organizing clothes on a rack for SHOP

Clothing Drives

Instead of discarding surplus clothing, you can now give them a second life. The clothing drive allows business and Winter clothing items to be reworn and given new purpose for the good of our cause and planet.

Bags

For Thanksgiving break, The SHOP offers customized bags for those who need a little extra hand during the holidays. Email [email protected] to receive a bag request form, then pick up your bag before Thanksgiving. Gluten-free bags are available!

Smiling SHOP volunteers at a tabling event

Getting The Word Out

SHOP staff and volunteers will often table at various locations on campus in order to let students know of the resources SHOP has to offer. We also encourage students to sign-up to volunteer. SHOP will also place announcements on campus boards such as Oswego Today and Laker Life

Thank You, Donors and Volunteers

Since 2016, Students Helping Oz Peers (SHOP) has been helping SUNY Oswego students, faculty, and staff to fight food insecurity on our campus. We have supplied people with non-perishable food, toiletries, sexual and reproductive health products, winter and professional attire and more, completely free of charge! On behalf of the Advisory Board, Staff, and users of SHOP, we thank the many donors and volunteers who have given goods, money, or time to SHOP to make this possible. Thank you!

Donor Spotlight

Donors include local dental offices, SUNY Oswego athletic teams, the Clay Club, Greek organizations, academic departments, The Newman Center, SEFA, alumni, faculty and students. 

Thank you! 

Generous donations from the Office of the Dean of Students to the Food Pantry, featuring canned goods, dental supplies, toiletries, and more.
Kranthi with food bank boxes
Auxiliary Services posing for a photo with Helena (former SHOP Food Pantry Coordinator) and their donations at SHOP

“True joy is never fully experienced, until one has practiced the art of giving.”

Doris Eziako

“Shop has given me the chance to keep give back, continue to open my eyes, and allow me to see the good in people.”

Samia Montgomery

"Volunteering at SHOP has allowed me to interact with people from all walks of life."

Danielle

"SHOP has given me a new outlook on the community, and realizing the importance of unity within the people here in Oswego."

Jincy George

"I like to pay it forward to the community where with a simple act of kindness, we can change the person's world. There's no better place to do it than being part of SHOP."

Bryan Palacios

Visit Us

3 Penfield Library
In the basement, to the right of the elevator.
See How to Get to SHOP

Contact Us

Phone: 315-312-2446
Email: [email protected]

Follow Us! 

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