As a college student, you may be worried about not having enough to eat or trying to understand better how to stretch or share your meal plan money through the rest of the semester.  Not having enough to eat can affect your physical and mental health, as well as your academic success.  Here are resources you can use to help a fellow Hilltopper or yourself! 

On Campus Food Support

The Huddle

Follow us on Instagram | @seu_thehuddle

Fall 2023
Accessible 24/7 with SEU ID
Location | LeMans Hall, Ground Floor 

Through the generosity of donors, the Monarchs Food Pantry is stocked with nonperishable and frozen foods, toiletries and school supplies. The Thrifty Topper has a variety of apparel from casual to business attire. The university is welcome to visit 24/7 via SEU ID. 

DONATE | Monetary donations can be made online [designation Campus Ministry > Monarchs Food Pantry]. Items may be dropped off in The Huddle or the Campus Ministry Office.

SEU Food Rescue

Follow us on Instagram | @seufoodrescue

Location | CSC Community Room | 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

We seek to reduce food waste on campus by connecting extra food from events, meetings, catering, etc. to hungry Hilltoppers and local community organizations.

How does it work?

  • Donations are brought to the fridge in the CSC Community Room (connected to the Chapel) and labeled with an up to 3 day expiration.
  • We advertise donations on our Instagram Story.
  • Any member of the SEU Community can come to eat or take the food to go (for yourself or a nonprofit).
  • We will do our best to update when donations are gone.
  • All unclaimed donations will be disposed or composted.

Become a Food Fighter to help pick up and disperse donations!

SEU Peer to Peer Meal Plan Dollar Transfer
As a result of Student Government Association’s work several years ago, we have a Peer-to-Peer Meal Plan Dollar Transfer Program. Students may transfer Meal Plan funds to another student after November 1st during fall semester and after April 1st during the spring semester.

SEU Dean of Students Office
Seeking help when you are struggling can be difficult and overwhelming.  A staff member in the Dean of Students Office, Main Building, ground floor, G16, can assist you in accessing resources both on and off campus.  We are open 8am-5pm weekdays or you can call and schedule an appointment at 512-448-8408 or email us at dos@stedwards.edu.   

Emergency Resources Toolkit
St. Edward’s provides access to the Emergency Resources Toolkit, powered by FindHelp.org, the largest social services referral network in the United States. The toolkit connects students in need to programs that serve them. Search for free or reduced-cost services like medical care, food, housing and transportation in any US zip code. In addition, you’ll find information on important resources at St. Edward's University available to you here on the hilltop and community partners the university frequently works with to support students.   

Beyond the Hilltop 

Foundation Communities- Mission Plaza

Foundation Communities Mission Plaza provides a food pantry to help the Austin communicate alleviate food insecurities. The Mission Plaza location is close to St. Edward's University and is open Mondays & Wednesdays 3-5 PM.  It is located at 3000 S I-35 Frontage Rd #160, Austin, TX 78704. The food pantry is on the first floor of the taller building #160 (NOT the Prosper Center). Please bring a valid government ID.

For your safety, if you are walking from campus, please take St. Edward's Drive (next to the baseball field). Turn right towards I-35. The entrance to the property will be on your right just after the Forest Creek Apartments. You will pass a shorter building (Prosper Center) on your left and see the main building ahead of you. The Food Pantry is just beyond the elevators on the right #160. 

St. Ignatius Food Pantry
St. Edward’s University partnered with St. Ignatius Food Pantry (right around the corner from SEU, 2303 Euclid Ave.) to provide our students with free food.  The pantry is open Monday-Wednesday from 9 AM-1 PM.  Students can receive a month’s worth of fresh food, nonperishable items, hygiene supplies, and assistance paying for prescription medications. Just show up and the pantry will help. The pantry is committed to your privacy and will not share your visit. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
A team at the Central Texas Food Bank is available to support St. Edward’s students in applying for SNAP benefits. If approved for SNAP, a monthly stipend will be loaded to a debit card to purchase unprepared foods at off campus food retailers like HEB. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, there is expanded SNAP eligibility for colleges students.  If you are interested in understanding your eligibility and completing an application, you may contact the Central Texas Food Bank at (512) 684-2550 or the Dean of Students Office at (512) 448-8408. Like the food pantry, the food bank is committed to your privacy and will not share your visit with the university.   

Supporting Each Other

If you are experiencing food insecurity, please know that you are not alone and the university community is here to help.  For those who wish to make a donation to help students in need, please consider donating to the Hilltoppers Overcoming Obstacles Fund (HOOF), a developing resource meant to be used to support students experiencing emergencies.  Additional resources in Texas include the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).