The Store

The Store is the George Washington University’s on-campus food pantry, providing students free access to fresh food, dry goods, and hygiene items. Our mission is to ensure every student has what they need to succeed academically and personally. In the 2024–2025 academic year, The Store distributed more than 50,000 pounds of food to 950 students across 10,000 visits.

Addressing Food Insecurity at GW

Founded in 2016 after a graduate student project revealed student food insecurity, The Store continues to play a vital role in supporting student well-being. The Fall 2024 NOURISH GW Project confirmed that many students still struggle to meet their food needs, underscoring the ongoing importance of The Store and other basic needs resources.

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Built on Community

The Store aims to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all shoppers. We believe every student deserves access to nutritious, delicious, and culturally appropriate food to thrive. Through the support of student staff, volunteers, and campus and community partners, we strive to build a network that supports students holistically and connects them with additional basic needs resources.

I Want to Shop

Who Can Shop?

The pantry is open to students at George Washington University who are:

• Experiencing food insecurity
• Enrolled in at least one (1) credit per semester
• Do not have another staff/faculty designation at GW

How do I Shop?

• Step 1: Register to Shop
• Step 2: Take a Number
• Step 3: Check In
• Step 4: Shop
• Step 5: Check Out
• Step 6: Bag Your Items

• Complete The Store Intake Form.
• Review your confirmation email with information about how to start shopping.
• Visit The Store as soon as you would like to shop! You are able to shop immediately once you complete the form by showing your confirmation email to Store staff at check-in. Your information will be updated in our system within 24 hours so that you can tap-in the next time you visit.

To reduce wait times, The Store uses a lottery number system:

• 15 minutes before opening, staff hand out number cards in random order to shoppers in the waiting area.
• Remaining cards are placed in numerical order outside The Store. Please grab one when you arrive, even if The Store is already open.
• Staff will call numbers in order. Enter when your number is called and hand your card to staff at check-in.
• If you miss your number, you can still shop by turning in your number when you are ready.
• Shoppers may only take one number and cannot grab extras for friends.

• Shoppers must tap their GWorld at the front table in the Store to check-in. Photographs of GWorld or other students’ GWorlds will not be accepted. Shoppers should also bring their Fresh Food card if they plan to select fresh foods.
• Store staff will confirm that the student is eligible to shop. If a shopper appears ineligible to shop in our system, a manager will be contacted to assist.

• All shoppers are required to shop with a basket.
• Shoppers must follow The Store’s limit system. Items are categorized into color groups by food type (red for fresh foods, yellow for breakfast, etc.). Each color has a set limit—the max amount a shopper can take in total per visit. Limits are updated daily based on supply.
• Shoppers must use their Fresh Food Card if they would like to select items from the Red Category. Fresh Food Cards provide shoppers with a set amount of fresh food visits each month.

All shoppers must check out with Store staff once they have completed their shopping. During the checkout process, Store staff will weigh shoppers’ items and ensure that their items are within our item limits. If you select fresh foods, staff will punch your Fresh Food Card.

Shoppers must pack items with their own bag at the designated table. The items are now the shopper’s responsibility. Shoppers cannot swap or give back items.

 

I Want to Get Involved

Volunteer at The Store! Volunteers are the heart of The Store! Volunteers help restock shelves, welcome shoppers, organize inventory, and more. We offer two types of volunteer roles:

• Event Volunteers (No Training Required):
  • We offer monthly volunteer sessions for large food restocks, deep cleans, and the occasional donation sort that do not require training. Join us for as long or as short as you can. All abilities can be accommodated. To register, please visit our GivePulse page.
• Regular Volunteers (Training Required):
  • We offer shifts every day we are open to help us restock, welcome shoppers, and clean The Store. All Regular Volunteers are required to attend a one-time in-person training session to learn about our policies and procedures. Join our volunteer interest list by filling out this form.

Host a Food Drive: Whether you are a GW faculty member, part of a student organization, or a community member interested in the cause, we would love to help you organize your drive. Email thegwstoregwu [dot] edu (thegwstore[at]gwu[dot]edu) for top needed items, food drive flyers, and help coordinating logistics. 

I Want to Donate

• Amazon Wish List: Click here to view our wishlist. When you purchase directly from the wishlist, our address and shipping information will auto-populate.
• In-Kind: We welcome donations of non-perishable and in-date foods and hygiene items to The Store! Either stop by during our open hours or email thegwstoregwu [dot] edu (thegwstore[at]gwu[dot]edu) to set up a donation appointment.
• Monetary: The Store also accepts monetary donations via the GW Development website. In the Gift Designation box, click the option to Direct Your Gift to a specific cause, and select "The Store / GW's Food Pantry" from the dropdown menu.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

What items does The Store have? When does it get restocked? 

The Store is stocked daily with non-perishables (canned vegetables, pasta, rice, peanut butter, oatmeal, etc.), fresh foods (vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy), and hygiene items (menstrual products, dental care, personal care).

Do you think something is missing from our shelves? Fill out the form below to request an addition to our Amazon Wishlist! 

Amazon Wishlist Suggestions

How can I get updates about The Store?

All registered shoppers will automatically be added to The Store’s email list. We share updates about unexpected closures, policy changes, research opportunities and more in weekly emails. Shoppers can also follow us on Instagram (@thestoregw) for recipe ideas, events, and volunteer opportunities. 

Do I have to prove I am food insecure to use The Store?

The Store never requests proof of income, SNAP eligibility, or financial records from students. Students will be asked about their food insecurity status on The Store Intake Form, but do not need to submit documentation. 

What resources are available to me if The Store does not meet my needs? 

We recognize that shopping at The Store may not be sufficient to meet the food needs of every shopper. We encourage students to explore a list of food, housing, and financial resources on the Wellbeing at GW Resource Page.

I have class or work during Store hours. Can I shop at a different time?

The Store cannot accommodate shopper requests to shop before or after open hours. If you routinely have issues accessing The Store, please contact us at thegwstoregwu [dot] edu (thegwstore[at]gwu[dot]edu). 

Why do I have to bring my own bag to The Store?

We prioritize using our limited funds to purchase food. By bringing your own bag, you help us serve more students and reduce waste.

I am a GW staff or faculty member. Can I shop at The Store?

Community members with a staff and faculty designation are not eligible to use the pantry, even if they are enrolled in classes. We understand that basic needs insecurity can affect anyone, and we encourage staff and faculty members to connect with GW HR for assistance and access to additional resources.

Can I work at The Store?

The Store employs a team of GW Federal Work Study (FWS) students and one Graduate Assistant to help manage the pantry each year. The Store is unable to hire students without a FWS package for roles other than the Graduate Assistant. Applications are posted before each semester on the FWS job page. Check our Instagram for more information.