The Knights Helping Knights Pantry began from a class project in a first-year LEAD Scholars course in 2009. UCF students wanted to create a food pantry where fellow students would have access to free necessities if they fell on hard times. This grassroots initiative strived to ensure that UCF students would not have to choose between buying textbooks or buying groceries. Since its inception, the Knights Helping Knights Pantry has expanded from a closet at the Student Union to its own suite located in Ferrell Commons attached to the All Knight Study facility. Currently, the Knights Helping Knights Pantry is supported by the Student Union and funded by the Student Government Association and generous community donors.
From the beginning, our goal has been to help students. We do our best to do so every day with the help of so many campus partners. The UCF community continues to unite in support of our efforts through hosting food drives, volunteering at the Pantry, and donating to support our continuing operations.
The Knights Helping Knights Pantry is committed to serving UCF students by providing basic needs including food, clothing, and personal hygiene items to foster continued academic success and increase retention for students in need.
UCF students with a valid UCF ID can visit one time per day and are typically able to take 5 food items per day. Toiletries, home goods, school supplies, bread/bakery, and clothing are available in limited supply. Item limits change due to semester breaks and disaster response & will be posted on site as needed.
Fresh Produce from on and off campus partners, pastries from local supermarkets. Shelf Stable, refrigerated and frozen food. New dietary restriction section. Casual clothing and professional clothing. School supplies and household items.
It is estimated that around 35% of students struggle to some degree with food insecurity, limiting their access to affordable food and necessities. At least 15% of individuals that use the Knights Helping Knights Pantry additionally have a dietary restriction further complicating access to food. KHKP is proud of our partnerships that aid in stocking our dietary restriction section which provides food specific items for students with food allergies, diabetes, celiac disease, and additional restrictions. Our goal is to guarantee every single student has access to the items they are in need of to reach their goals here at UCF.
The Knights Pantry relies on the support of students, faculty, and staff. Donations of food, toiletries, or clothing (business professional or casual) can be dropped off at the Pantry in Ferrell Commons or at one of our many donation boxes around campus. Campus donation boxes can be found on the UCF Mobile app maps.
In addition to tangible donations, the Knights Panty accepts monetary donations to ensure food is available when demand is high. Our partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank helps us use these funds to purchase food to stock the pantry for students in need. Click the green donate button to make a donation through the UCF Foundation’s secure web portal. Click the green donate button at the top or click monetary donations to be taken to our UCF Foundation’s secure web portal.
If you wish to send in a donation check, please mail it to us at this address:
Knights Pantry
c/o UCF Foundation Office
12424 Research Parkway
Suite 250
Orlando, FL 32826
If you wish to mail a physical donation please contact us to make arrangements.
The Knights Pantry also has an Amazon Wishlist
Food drives sponsored by campus and community partners are the Knights Pantry’s bread and butter. Through the help of student organizations, campus departments, and local businesses we are able to help ensure UCF students are not going hungry. If you would like to set up a Food Drive to support the Knights Pantry, check out the resources below or contact a member of the Pantry team.
The Pantry would not be able to keep our doors open without the help of student volunteers. Here at the Knights Pantry we are so lucky to have a team of dedicated students who donate their time to help process donations, assist students, and facilitate our day-to-day operations. If you are interested in getting more involved as a volunteer, volunteer applications open the month prior to the start of the semester and then submit an online volunteer application. Please check our Instagram for any updates on Volunteer Applications.
Student Care Services https://scs.sdes.ucf.edu/ Wellness & Health Promotion Services (WHPS) https://whps.sdes.ucf.edu/
The Knights Pantry operates when school is in session. During break periods, holidays, and game days we are closed. Click off-campus hyperlink above to see all the local food pantries to assist you.
Branch pantries are present on the following UCF campuses; Daytona Beach, Cocoa, Sanford-Lake Mary, Lake Nona, Downtown, Rosen.