Now entering its second academic year in Aiden Hall, the Purple Door food pantry has become a fundamental part of life at Carlow University. What began as the Carlow Closet and Mercy Center for Care has evolved into something larger; a welcoming resource where members of the Carlow community and the surrounding neighborhood can find nourishment, clothing, and other essentials when they need them most.
The Purple Door embodies the values of the Sisters of Mercy, whose vision of compassionate service to others has shaped Carlow since its founding in 1929. By removing barriers and creating a space where everyone is treated with dignity, the pantry reflects the University’s belief that caring for one another is central to a more just and merciful world.
More Than a Pantry
Through partnerships with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and the American Heart Association, the Purple Door offers:
- Fresh produce, meats, and dairy that support healthy living
- Pantry staples and ready-to-eat meals for busy students and families
- Clothing, hygiene items, and other essentials
What makes the Purple Door unique is its choice-based model: visitors select the items that meet their specific needs, making the pantry a community hub: a space where dignity is honored and compassion creates change.
A Living Lesson in Service
“The Purple Door is a food pantry that focuses on more than just food — it offers human dignity. Volunteering here I can live out the Carlow values of mercy and hospitality. Students and community members come to us and share their stories. They are grateful for the freedom to choose the items that fit their needs — extra milk for grandkids, or microwavable dinners for students — like ‘shopping with no money,’ they say! And I am excited to bring this concept back to my community in Vietnam to better serve the poor.”
— Sister Thuan Bui, Daughter of Our Lady of the Visitation and MSW student
For volunteers like Sister Thuan Bui, the Purple Door is a place where Carlow’s values are alive. By working side by side with students, faculty, and neighbors, volunteers experience the power of empathy, human connection, and community partnership.
The pantry also serves as a bridge between campus and the larger West Oakland community. By welcoming neighbors alongside students, faculty, and staff, the Purple Door creates relationships rooted in care and respect. It’s an example of Carlow’s Mercy heritage in action.
Part of a Bigger Story
The Purple Door isn’t an isolated effort; it’s part of a broader culture of service and hospitality at Carlow. From Grace’s Garden, which grows fresh produce for the pantry and local residents, to annual service trips abroad and local volunteer projects, Carlow’s commitment to community well-being runs deep.
Each of these initiatives reflects the same guiding belief: that a Carlow education should instill a sense of compassion, and compassion means lifting others up.
How to Support the Purple Door
The pantry thrives through the generosity and engagement of the Carlow community. You can help by:
- Donating food, clothing, or hygiene items at the Center for Mercy Heritage in University Commons or directly at the pantry
- Volunteering your time to help stock shelves, greet visitors, or assist with distribution
- Spreading the word so students, staff, and neighbors know the resource is here
Every act of giving — big or small — helps sustain this work of mercy. With every neighbor welcomed, every grocery bag packed, and every story shared, the Purple Door brings Carlow’s values to life, proving that when we lead with mercy, we create a more just and merciful world.