Swipe Out Hunger

Available fall and spring semesters, after the Add/Drop Period. Not available during breaks and summer.

This program connects off-campus students facing food insecurity with food on campus. If you are experiencing financial difficulties and can’t afford meals Swipe Out Hunger offers short-term help until you are connected with more sustainable funding or other resources. Students may qualify for up to 14 meal swipes per academic year to purchase food from select dining locations at UVM. 

Meal swipes can be redeemed in the following ways:

1. Entry to Central Campus Dining, Redstone Dining, Harris Millis Dining, and Northside Dining: all-you-can-eat locations
2. Davis Center Marketplace and Green Roof Deli: meal exchange where 1 meal swipe = an entrée, side, and beverage.
   • Marketplace: available at breakfast and lunch, Monday-Friday.
   • Green Roof Deli: available at lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday and lunch on Friday.
3. University Marche: meal exchange where 1 meal swipe = an entrée, side, and beverage. Available at lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday.

Note: exclusions apply at Davis Center Marketplace and University Marche. Please refer to signage in these locations for item eligibility and hours as part of the meal exchange.

Enrollment each semester is limited to UVM students (undergraduate, graduate, and medical students) who live off-campus. Eligibility is based on the honor system. If you submit a request, it will be fulfilled if you do not have an active meal plan/Catscratch with adequate resources, (defined as fewer than $50 value). Have adequate financial resources, but want to purchase a commuter meal plan (Retail Points or Blocks)? Visit the UVM Dining Meal Plan Store.

Facing financial difficulties and need meal swipes?

Apply for Swipe Out Hunger

• Step 1: Fill out this short request form, which will get submitted to the UVM Meal Plan Office.
• Step 2: If approved, within 10 business days, 14 meal swipes will be added to your CatCard. You will receive an email once this happens with instructions on how to use the program.
• Step 3: Redeem your meals at select UVM Dining locations. (see above)

Questions?

Contact Nicole Reilly, UVM Dining Sustainability and Campus Partnership Manager,  Nicole.Reilly@uvm.edu.

Rally Cat’s Cupboard (available year-round)

Come visit us at our home on the first floor of the Davis Center near the tunnel and across from Feel Good. 

Follow @rallycatscupboard on Facebook and Instagram for updates or more information. Direct message on social media or email cupboard@uvm.edu to set up another time to get items. 

The Interfaith Center, Mosaic Center for Students of Color, Prism Center, and Women and Gender Equity Center also house smaller food pantries for the students they serve.

In addition to the normal operating hours for Rally Cats Cupboard, in partnership with UVM Dining, the Food Recovery Network student club holds Free Food Pop-ups every Friday of the academic year, starting at 3pm at Rally Cats Cupboard. They collect food that would otherwise expire over the weekend from several retail dining locations and distribute free of charge to our community.

Rally Cat’s Cupboard

Want to help?

Donations to Rally Cat’s Cupboard are always welcome. Contact cupboard@uvm.edu if you are interested in volunteering or making a food donation.

You can also donate non-perishable food items at Patrick Gymnasium and Gutterson Fieldhouse. Donation boxes are located in the Patrick Gym lobby, the Group Fitness Hub, and the Gucciardi Fitness Center lobby.

Make a monetary donation to Rally Cat's Cupboard

In the spring of 2025, UVM Dining launched their Food to Share program, to help divert extra portions of food from catering events in the Davis Center. This program helps reduce the amount of food going into the compost and helps feed community members and students in need.

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up for the Free Food listserv by texting “FREEFOOD” to 82257.

Max 10 text messages/month. Message and Data Rates May Apply. By texting [FREEFOOD], I agree to receive marketing text messages from Sodexo to my mobile phone number. Text STOP to 82257 to unsubscribe. Text HELP to 82257 for Help or e-mail support@MYDTXT.com. Mobile Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy at www.MYDTXT.com.

• When there is leftover catering food, a text message will go out to the Free Food listserv.
• Food will be available on a table outside of Rally Cats Cupboard (Davis Center, room 103) while supplies last, for a maximum of 30 minutes. Grab some free food and enjoy!

Food help

Food Pantries

• Feeding Chittenden: hosts food shelves and provides other programs and resources to fight hunger.
• South Burlington Food Shelf: a food shelf on Dorset Street in South Burlington.

Get Help Affording Food

• 3SquaresVT food benefits: check your eligibility for 3SquaresVT  

Farmers Markets and Farm Shares

• Intervale Center Fair Share Program: Offers no-cost, gleaned CSA shares and discounted, delivered CSA shares for students enrolled in EBT. 802-660-0440

Our partners in the Office of Student and Community Resources offer additional information about support services in the community.