Free Store

The Free Store is an on-campus resource for students, faculty and staff of VCU and VCU Health that promotes equitable access to everyday items such as school and art supplies, housewares, electronics, and more, while keeping usable goods out of our landfills. 

Read the VCU News story about our reopening in October 2023.

Volunteers are needed throughout the semester. If you would like to volunteer with the Free Store, please sign up through our Sign Up page.

How to take

Schedule your appointment to shop the Free Store

VCU students, faculty and staff can shop the VCU Free Store by following the instructions below. 

1. Register for a PantrySoft account at https://app.pantrysoft.com/login/vcu.edu
2. Sign into your PantrySoft account using your VCU eID and password. 
3. Select a 15-minute appointment time from the dropdown menu to shop the Free Store. 
4. Once you have selected your appointment time, you will be directed to a confirmation screen. 

Shop the Free Store during your scheduled appointment and follow the credit system

The VCU Free Store operates on a credit system with each item being assigned a certain amount of credits. 

• Low-value item: Items with no sticker are worth one credit. 
• Medium-value item: Items with a yellow sticker are worth two credits.
• High-value item: Items with an orange sticker are worth three credits.
• Extra-high-value item: Items with a blue stickers are worth five credits. These items can only be purchased once a semester. 

Students, faculty and staff may take up to three credits worth of items each month. Once a semester, they can take a five credit (extra-high-value) item. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, email freestore@vcu.edu. 

How to give

All goods available at the Free Store have been donated by VCU and VCU Health students, faculty, staff and community members. Donate your unneeded goods during our hours of operation Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. at 930 W. Grace Street. We will also host donation drives throughout the year and will post details as they are confirmed.

Donations are tax-deductible. If you would like a receipt for your donation, please let staff know at the time of your donation.