Tips & Resources for Saving Money

Mobile Food Pantry

The CSU Mobile Food Pantry is here for you.  To access the CSU Mobile Food Pantry just bring your CSU ID & Bags for transporting food. Come to the intersection of University Ave and Meldrum St. (in front of Hartshorn building) and get up to 20 pounds of food including fruits, vegetables, dairy and baked goods. To view income qualifications for Larimer county Food Bank programs visit the Food Bank of Larimer County webpage.

Location: West University Avenue (across from Hartshorn Building and near Intramural Fields). In the event of bad weather, the pantry will be held at the Lory Student Center Theater.

2019- 2020 Mobile Pantry Dates:

September 5, 2019: 4pm-6pm
October 3, 2019: 4pm-6pm
November 7, 2019: 4pm-6pm
December 2, 2019: 4pm-6pm
February 6, 2020: 4pm-6pm
March 5, 2020: 4pm-6pm
April 9, 2020: 4pm-6pm
May 7, 2020: 4pm-6pm

Interested in volunteering for the mobile food pantry?  Please sign up here: CSU Mobile Food Pantry Volunteer

Pocket Pantries

Visit the CSU Pocket Pantries.  These small food pantries across campus are stocked with free and accessible food stuch as granola bars, cereal, soup and noodles that can be eaten on the go, without worry or discrimination.

Locations:

Adult Learner & Veteran Services
Lory Student Center, Room 288

Associated Students of Colorado State University – Plaza Entrance
Lory Student Center level 200

CSU Health Network Building 
University Counseling Center – 3rd Floor

Fostering Success/Student Achievement
CSU Stadium, Room 629

Student Diversity and Program Services Kitchens
Lory Student Center Levels 200 & 300

Thrift Stores

Thrift Stores sell a variety of items such as clothing, shoes, accessories for adults and children, as well as household wares, books, and furniture. Most items in the store are previously-owned and slightly used, but they must be in good condition for the store to resell them. Thrift stores are a great place to pick up clothing and toys for growing children because you don’t lose very much money if the child ruins the clothes or outgrows them quickly. Thrift stores are also a very economical and environmental choice in purchasing adult clothing and household items (reduce, REUSE, recycle). The following is a list of local thrift stores in Fort Collins:

  1. Surplus Property – 201 West Lake Street (On Campus) – Monday – Friday from 7:30am to 4pm
  2. Brand Spanking Used Thrift Store – 227 South College Avenue
  3. ARC Thrift Store – 2701 South College Avenue
  4. Flamingo Boutique – 140 West Oak Street
  5. Goodwill – 315 Pavilion Lane
  6. Habitat Home Supply Store – 4001 S. Taft Hill Rd. (970) 223-9909
  7. Salvation Army – 246 N. College Ave. (970) 224-3340
  8. Savers – 4106 S. College Ave (970) 282-9446
  9. Harmony Kids – 925 E. Harmony (970) 226-2662
  10. Once Upon a Child – 4519 S. College Ave. (970) 266-9999
  11. Goodwill – 320 Walnut St. (970) 482-5856
  12. Repeat Boutique – 239 Linden (970) 493-1039 or 3307 S. college Ave. (970) 377-9678
  13. The Mint Clothing Exchange 702 S. College Ave. (970) 407-1406
  14. Eco Thrift- 302 N Meldrum St (970) 484-422

Coupons

Cutting coupons from the local newspaper and using them in stores and restaurants can be a great way to save money and try out new restaurants. The Fort Collins Coloradoan Sunday newspaper and the Denver Post Sunday newspaper have inserts of coupons that give you a discount when you purchase certain products. Also, CSU prints coupon books each semester that offer discounts at restaurants and businesses close to campus. The coupon books can be obtained from your area office or from the Lory Student Center. Many coupons offer buy one- get one free promotions or saving a certain amount of money when you purchase a specific brand of product or a special service.

In addition, most newspapers contain the insert all grocery stores publish advertising the specials of the week. If you carefully investigate the weekly specials and purchase items in bulk when they are on sale, you can save a lot of money.

Meal Swipe Program

Rams Against Hunger: Meal Swipe Program is an opportunity for CSU students to utilize meal swipes at any CSU dining hall.  The meal swipe program allows for each participant to receive a total of 75 meals per semester on their RamCard.

How it works

  • Students apply for dining hall meals via the application on this website.
  • Applications are evaluated by Student Financial Services (eligibility for the program is outlined below in the “eligibility” section).
  • Applicants will be notified of their selection after no more than 1 week by the Assistant Director, Community Engagement & Volunteer Programs. Applications are accepted year-round and are accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Selected applicants will receive 75 meals per semester on their RamCard. If an applicant applies mid semester, the number of meals they receive will be prorated. These meals are loaded electronically onto the recipient’s card. Recipients will be notified via email when their card has been loaded with meals and is ready to use in the residence hall dining centers.
  • Recipients can swipe their RamCard at any CSU dining hall. Hours and locations of CSU dining centers can be found here.
  • Recipients may reapply each semester.

Who’s eligible

  • Undergraduate students enrolled at Colorado State University and registered for 6 or more credits

Criteria

  • Must have a valid RamCard (can be obtained at RamCard Office).
  • Have an Expected Family Contribution of 10,000 or less based on Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CSU ASSET Bill Institutional Aid Application.
  • Must not currently have a meal plan at CSU Residential Dining Centers.
  • Priority will be given to students who have not received support from Rams Against Hunger previously.

For more information, email the Assistant Director, Community Engagement & Volunteer Programs or call 970-689-2175

Complete the student application.

Rams Against Hunger

The goal of Rams Against Hunger at Colorado State University is to serve as emergency food relief for Colorado State University undergraduate students experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity broadly defined is “the state of being without reliable access to sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.” Indicators of food insecurity include skipping meals due to lack of financial resources, cutting the size of meals due to lack of financial resources, experiencing hunger but not eating, the inability to afford balanced meals, and/or running out of food at the end of a pay period. According to a CSU survey conducted in the Fall of 2013, approximately 10% of students at Colorado State University experience food insecurity.

Visit their page for Rams Against Hunger Programs for more information.