About Bear Pantry

Location and hours

Plaster Student Union 140

Hours of operation

  • Monday | 2 - 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Thursday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Friday | CLOSED

Email: BearPantry@missouristate.edu
Twitter: @msu_bearpantry
Facebook: @MSUBearPantry

Our mission

To empower the Missouri State University community through Education, Connection, and Advocacy.

Our vision

We envision a campus community in which everyone has access to needed resources.

The Bear Pantry is a member of Swipe Out Hunger, a professional organization consisting of campus-based programs focused on alleviating food insecurity, hunger, and poverty among college and university students in the United States.

A 2018 national study conducted by the Wisconsin Hope Lab found that 36% of college students are experiencing hunger.

Press and media

Food Fight: Bear Pantry combats food insecurity on MSU's campus | MSU Standard, April 2019

Local food pantries continue to serve college students | MSU Standard, April 2019

Step up and volunteer | Missouri State Journal, April 2019

MSU just opened a food pantry for students, professors, and staff | KOLR 10, April 2019

Missouri State University's Bear Pantry works to combat local hunger | KOLR 10, April 2019

MSU Bear Pantry celebrates on-year anniversary | Ozarks First, February 2020

Missouri State Bear Pantry now offering fresh produce to food insecure students | Ozarks First, November 2020

Bear Pantry helps Missouri State University community | Ozarks First, August 2022

Group Reports Rise in Food Insecurity on Missouri College Campuses | KY3, February 2024

Bear Pantry works to fight food insecurities | Ozarks Fox, April 2024

Bear Pantry serves Missouri State University community members facing food insecurity | KSMU, March 2025

Missouri State launches program to address food insecurity on campus | Ozarks First, September 2025

New pilot program tackling food insecurity & food waste | KY3, September 2025

Donations sought as student demand for Missouri State's on-campus food pantry soars | Springfield News-Leader, October 2025

Sense of Community - Bear Pantry | Ozarks Public Television, December 2025