Basic Needs
Basic needs are what you need to survive and thrive and include:
To not have your basic needs covered, or not have the ability to access them, is considered insecurity. Food insecurity, for example, is to not have food or access to foods. It is a very real situation for the University of California students and affects more UCR students than one might think!
What Can I Do to Help
Get involved in the opportunities below:
REFER STUDENTS TO R'GARDEN AND R'PANTRY
R'Pantry is an emergency, on-campus food pantry. R'Garden is a community "grow your own" space with a year-round harvest. Both welcome financial donations and volunteers!
CONNECT STUDENTS TO STUDENT AFFAIRS CASE MANAGEMENT
If you suspect that a student is in distress for any reason, including food insecurity, refer them to Student Affairs Case Management at casemanager@ucr.edu or (951) 827-5000. Trained case managers will connect students to resources, and provide consultations to faculty and staff.
ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR CALFRESH BENEFITS
Eligible students can access up to $194 a month for groceries through CalFresh, the nutrition benefit formerly known as food stamps. A local CalFresh outreach coordinator also accepts applications. Double your CalFresh Dollars at any participating Farmer’s Market. By spending $20 you can get an extra $20 to spend at a farmer’s market. A valid student ID is required.
Questions
Contact the UCR Basic Needs Working Group at basicneeds@ucr.edu. This group of faculty, staff and students coordinates services and programming to address basic needs at UCR.
- Definitions of Food Security, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- 2015 Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) Survey (administered by the UC’s Office of the President; 759 UCR responses)
- 2016 University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCES) (5,210 responses)
- 2016 Graduate Well Being Survey (549 UCR responses)