Flash's Food Pantry

What is Flash's Food Pantry?

Operated by Interfaith Campus Ministry and the Office of Student Involvement, Flash’s Food Pantry is a free resource available to all Kent State Stark students, faculty and staff. The pantry provides food and personal hygiene items to help the Kent State Stark community meet their basic needs.

Pantry users may visit the pantry once per week, and no appointment is needed during the academic year. Our goal is to make accessing the pantry simple, convenient and welcoming to everyone who needs it.

Where is Flash's Food Pantry?

Flash's Food Pantry is located on the lower level of Campus Center. If you're looking at the entrance to the suite that houses Student Accessibility Services, Testing Center and Interfaith Campus Ministry, turn right. Follow the hallway until you reach the first door on your right. You’ll know it’s the correct spot because the Flash’s Food Pantry logo is on the window. If you reach the bathrooms, then you’ve gone too far.  

How do I use Flash's Food Pantry?

Visiting Flash’s Food Pantry is easy. Just follow these steps: 

1. Stop by during pantry hours. No appointment is necessary during the academic year.
   Fall 2026 Hours (closed Oct. 8, 9; Nov. 11, 26, 27)
   Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Shop for your items. You may select up to 15 items per visit: 12 food items and 3 personal hygiene items. Plastic bags are available for you to store your items in; no need to return them! 
3. Check for bonus items. When available, you may select up to 5 additional bonus items. These do not count toward your 15-item limit.
4. Complete the brief pantry survey. You can complete either the physical survey, which is located near the exit or the digital version below. You do not need to complete both. In either survey, you will be asked to provide your Kent State email address so we can maintain accurate usage records, but your visit will remain confidential. 
5. Share any requests or feedback. The survey includes an opportunity to request items that were not available during your visit.

The pantry survey helps us understand how many students are using the pantry and what resources students need. This information allows us to better plan our inventory and services.

Your pantry visit is private. The survey is used for record keeping and program planning, and students can select their items independently.

COMPLETE BRIEF PANTRY SURVEY

Who can I contact about Flash's Food Pantry and/or find additional resources?

For questions about Flash’s Food Pantry, pantry hours, available items or accessing the pantry, contact:

Rev. Ryan Johanning
Interfaith Campus Ministry
rjohanni@kent.edu
-or-
Student Involvement
starkstudentlife@kent.edu 
330-244-5041

Find helpful resources for food and other community support.

ACCESS KENT STATE EMERGENCY RESOURCES

How can I support Flash's Food Pantry?

Flash’s Food Pantry relies on the generosity of our community to help fight food insecurity and ensure that students, faculty and staff have access to the resources they need. There are several ways you can support the pantry.

1. Donate non-perishable food and personal hygiene items.
Donations can be dropped off at Flash’s Food Pantry and to the Office of Student Involvement during regular pantry hours. We welcome donations of shelf-stable food and personal hygiene products that can help meet the everyday needs of our pantry users. We are currently in need of these specific items.

User-Requested Foods:

• Cereal
• Chips
• Crackers
• Peanut butter
• Jelly (grape, strawberry)
• Oatmeal
• Boxed cake mix
• Muffin mix
• Pancake and waffle mix
• Non-refrigerated (canned) chicken 
• Chicken nuggets
• Ground meats (beef, turkey, chicken)
• Milk 
• Bread
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Condiments (ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch, etc.)

Personal Hygiene Products:

• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash
• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash
• Combs, brushes and hair ties 
• Tissues 
• Toilet paper 
• Deodorant 
• Hand soap
• Lotion 
• Razors and shaving cream 
• Menstrual products (pads, tampons, etc.)
• Diapers

2. Make a financial contribution.
Financial donations allow us to purchase the items our community needs most. Donation link coming soon.

3. Share the resource.
Help us spread the word about Flash’s Food Pantry. Sharing information about the pantry with students, faculty and staff helps ensure that those who could benefit from this resource know that it is available.

Every donation, contribution and conversation helps us build a campus community where no one must choose between meeting their basic needs and pursuing their education.