What is Hawkeye Meal Share?

Hawkeye Meal Share aims to provide students facing food insecurity or emergency situations with access to nutritious meals in our University Dining marketplaces. Currently, we offer meal swipes in quantities of 7 or 14 to eligible students as a short-term solution, depending on available donated swipes. These allocations are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that due to demand, we limit requests to two per semester and encourage students to meet with the Basic Needs Coordinator or Student Care and Assistance for further support following additional requests. You can book a meeting here.

What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity is the lack of access, or financial resources to access, a sufficient amount of quality, affordable, and nutritious food. Access to quality food is important for college students in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and be successful in and out of the classroom. Additional information regarding food insecurity and University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff, can be found on the Food Pantry at Iowa website.

Consider applying to the Meal Share program if you:

  • Worry about running out of food before having enough money to buy more.
  • Reduce portion sizes or skip meals due to financial constraints.
  • Go a whole day without eating because of insufficient funds for food.

Donate funds

If you do not have a meal plan but would still like to contribute, click the Donate Funds button below, then enter the amount you would like to donate and under gift instructions enter “Meal Share”.

Donate funds

Request meal assistance

If you are a University of Iowa student experiencing food insecurity, you can request assistance through the Hawkeye Meal Share program by filling out a short form at the request link below. Student Care & Assistance will contact students to discuss support, eligibility, and the process for obtaining meal assistance. If you have an immediate need, please call or stop by the office, otherwise requests will be responded to within 24 hours.

Request meals

Contact

For questions or to discuss the Hawkeye Meal Share Program, please contact the Basic Needs Coordinator: Stephanie-beecher@uiowa.edu or phone 319-335-1162. Student Care & Assistance is located in the Office of the Dean of Students in 135 Iowa Memorial Union.

History of Hawkeye Meal Share

Hawkeye Meal Share is an initiative that gives undergraduate, graduate, and professional students the opportunity to donate their unused guest meal swipes online to any undergraduate, graduate, or professional student in need at the University of Iowa. All of this is possible thanks to the collaboration of the Office of the Vice President for Student Life, Office of the Dean of Students, University Housing & Dining, University of Iowa Student Government (UISG)/Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG), Food Pantry at Iowa, Associated Residence Halls, and the charitable students of the University of Iowa.

Additional resources

Food Pantry at Iowa
Locations: East Pantry (G200 IMU)
Hours: Please visit the website for the most updated hours of operations.
Websites: https://basicneeds.uiowa.edu/food-pantry, https://www.facebook.com/foodpantryatiowa/
Unsure what to expect if you've never been? Check-out the informational video with walk-thru! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEsXKYfFsKI
Restrictions: Need to present a University of Iowa student, staff, or faculty ID

CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank
Location: 1045 Highway 6 East, Iowa City, IA 52240
Hours: See website
CRISIS LINE: (319) 351-0128
Website: https://builtbycommunity.org/foodbank/
Restrictions: Residents of Johnson County, IA

Coralville Community Food Pantry
804 13th avenue Coralville, IA 52241
Hours: Tues 2:00 - 6:00 pm, Thurs 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Sat 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Website: coralvillefoodpantry.org
Restrictions: Residents from Coralville, Tiffin, or Oxford

North Liberty Community Food Pantry
Location: 89 North Jones Boulevard North Liberty, Iowa 523317
Hours: Mon/Wed/Sat 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Tue/Thurs 10:00 am - 12:00 pm & 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Website: https://northlibertycommunitypantry.org/
Restrictions: Residents from Iowa City and Coralville receive limited services

Solon Community Food Pantry
Location: 122 N West St., Solon IA 52333
Hours: Mon 2:00 pm - 6:00pm
Website: https://soloniaumc.churchtrac.com/
Restrictions: none

The River Community Church Food Pantry
Location: 3001 Muscatine Ave, Iowa City, IA 52240
Hours: Wed 12:00 pm -5:00 pm
Website: https://www.therivercommunity.org/