CMU students volunteer at the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank.
Addressing Basic Needs Insecurity
Individuals experiencing basic needs insecurity lack adequate, consistent access to critical resources such as food, housing, transportation, mental and physical health care, childcare, and internet connectivity. According to The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, 59% of students experience at least one form of basic needs insecurity. In Allegheny County, where Carnegie Mellon is located, one in nine of our neighbors lives in hunger, according to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
In response to these pressing challenges, the Office of Community Engagement and Leadership Development is committed to addressing basic needs insecurity on our campus and in the local community. We aim to meet individuals’ immediate needs while also contributing to efforts that create sustained, systemic change. By removing barriers to well-being, we help ensure that every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
Thanksgiving Basket Drive
The Thanksgiving Basket Drive is a team-based program that challenges groups around campus to commit to creating and donating Thanksgiving baskets for families in the Pittsburgh area. Each Thanksgiving basket contains all the ingredients needed to cook a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including favorite side dishes such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, candied yams, green bean casserole, and more.
Details about the Thanksgiving Basket Drive, including an ingredient list and deadlines, will be available in late fall.
Operation Better Block aims to support community sustainability in the Homewood neighborhood through technical, community, youth, housing and economic development assistance and cooperative partnerships. Their needs include food items, hygiene products, and monetary donations.
Rainbow Kitchen Community Services is committed to improving the quality of life for low-income families and individuals through programs that address hunger, child nutrition and support services. Their needs include non-perishable foods, other household items, and monetary donations.
Sojourner House provides compassionate, faith-based residential recovery services to mothers and children in the Pittsburgh area. They help mothers learn to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and chemical abuse while being surrounded by what matters the most to them: their children. Monetary donations are available online.
Staff Council Food Drive
For the past three decades, Carnegie Mellon University’s Staff Council organizes an annual food drive to support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The Staff Council Food Drive also supports the CMU Pantry through a special donation drive for can openers.
2024 Food Drive Results
- Total dollars raised: $100,161.87
- Total pounds: 1,597.75 (including can openers)
- Can opener count: 569, greatly exceeding the goal of 350
CMU Toy Drive
The Carnegie Mellon University Police department, with support from the Community Engagement and Leadership Development office, hosts an annual toy drive to support families experiencing financial strain or other challenges during the holiday season. Our partner Hazelwood Cafe collects toys for families in Hazelwood and Glen Hazel. Toys are provided to children of varying ages and interests, with a focus on supporting middle-school aged kids.
Donations of new toys typically begin in November and continue through early December. You can participate in the drive by either dropping off toys at the marked bins across campus or by purchasing a toy from the Amazon Wish List. Please be sure to ship it to the listed Gift Registry Address.
The Whatever Drive
The Whatever Drive is CMU's annual effort to divert unwanted, but still good items from landfills when students move out at the end of the academic year. Items are instead donated to campus initiatives and local community partners.
Donation station PODs or designated drop-off sites will be in place beginning the last week of classes. Donate your items at the spots most convenient for you.
Accepted items include clothing, shoes, blankets, towels, laundry supplies, kitchen goods, small appliances and electronics, books, office supplies, unopened non-perishable foods, bicycles, art supplies and more.
Please use good judgement when donating items to the Whatever Drive. All donated items should be clean and in still-working condition.
Please do not donate large furniture, open food, mattress foams, pillows, soiled/heavily stained clothing and rugs.
We are proud to sponsor our various community and campus partners:
The CMU Pantry
The CMU Pantry is a free, supplemental weekly food resource for all Carnegie Mellon undergraduate and graduate students and their dependents that aims to provide adequate nutrition to fuel a healthy and active lifestyle, offering:
- seasonal fresh produce
- frozen items (meats, fruits, vegetables, and ready-to-eat meals)
- non-perishables (pasta, rice, peanut butter, and canned goods)
- toiletries and personal hygiene products
Volunteer at the Pantry
You can impact food insecurity on-campus and help to ensure fellow Tartans have enough nutritious food to fuel their bodies and mind. Join the CMU Pantry Coordinators as they create a welcoming and accessible environment. Volunteers support restocking, weekly deliveries, donation sorting and other special projects.
Please complete our CMU Pantry Volunteer Interest Form to get started! The Pantry team will be in contact to discuss training dates, shifts, and how you can impact our campus community.
Donate to the Pantry
Donating is another way to combat basic needs insecurity. The Pantry accepts in-kind and monetary donations.
- In-kind donations can be dropped off at the CMU Pantry at the Residence on Fifth in the designated donation area located directly in front of the Pantry.
- Monetary donations can be made on CMU's giving page.
- Explore the CMU Pantry: Donation Guide for Campus and Community Partners for more information about donations to the Pantry.
Please be aware that the Office of Community Engagement and Leadership Development does not monitor or endorse the external websites listed on this site.