Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a Basic Needs Intake?
  

  A 10-15 minute conversation with a Basic Needs student staff member to receive an assessment of your basic needs and learn more about all of the food and housing resources available at UCR. Students will receive a breakdown of services and how to access them and answer any questions.

  Students only need to complete 1 intake for the program requirements.

• How to complete a Basic Needs Intake?
  

  Basic Needs Intakes will begin Wednesday, March 4th

  Go to the Basic Needs Center located in Costo Hall 110 during drop-in hours:

  Monday: 2pm-4pm    

  Tuesday: 2pm-4pm

  Wednesday: 2pm-4pm

  Thursday: 9am-4pm

  Friday: 10am-2pm 
   

  When you visit the center, you can tell the front desk that you are there to complete a Basic Needs Intake.
  No need to bring anything with you. 
   

• Where can you use your meal swipes?
  

  Glasgow Residential Restaurant, Lothian Residential Restaurant & NOODS only. They are the dining halls located on campus. 

  Check their Hours of Operation here, as some holidays affect their hours.

  Reminder: Meal swipes & dining dollars will expire on Tuesday, June 30th, 2026

   

   

  Hours of Operation: 

  Location	Monday-Friday	Saturday-Sunday
  Glasgow Dining	Breakfast (7:30 AM - 10:30 AM) Lunch (10:30 AM - 2:30 PM) Dinner (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)	Brunch (10:00 AM - 2:30 PM) Lunch (Closed) Dinner (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
  Lothian Dining	Breakfast (Closed) Lunch (11:00 AM - 2:30 PM) Dinner (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)	Closed
  NOODS	Monday-Thursday: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM  Friday: CLOSED	Saturday: Closed  Sunday: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM

   

• What if I am unable to make it to the intake times?

  If you’re unable to attend the intake times we have available, please email us at basicneeds@ucr.edu
  to share more about your situation and why those times do not work for you. We will do our best to review your circumstances and determine whether an accommodation can be made.

  Our preference for in-person intakes is intentional because we want students to become familiar with the Basic Needs Center, know where we are located, and feel comfortable accessing our space and resources in the future. Building that connection helps ensure you know where to go if you need additional support.

  We appreciate your understanding and look forward to connecting with you.

• Where can you use your dining dollars?

  Below are the locations you're able to use your dining dollars:

  Biz Café	Bytes Coffee Shop	Emerbee’s	Glasgow Residential Restaurant
  Ivan’s Coffee Shop	Lothian Residential Restaurant	Noods: The Noodle Bar	The Market at Glen Mor
  Scotty’s C-Stores (The HUB, Glasgow, School of Medicine)	Savor	Scotty’s Grill & Market (Glen Mor Apartments)	Starbucks
  The Barn	The Den	The HUB Dining — featuring Panda Express, Hibachi San, The Habit, Subway, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Chronic Tacos, Halal Shack, and Scoops	The Market at North District — featuring Lollicup Boba, Street Eats, and BYO Ramen

• How should I utilize the this meal plan?

  This will depend on how many times you are on campus, below are ways the dining dollars and the meal swipes can be planned out to use throughout the quarter. 

  $150 in dining dollars & 30 meal swipes 

  Option 1: Balanced Approach Use 3 swipes per week for 8 weeks (24 swipes) Use 2 swipes per week for 3 weeks (6 swipes) = 30 total Dining dollars: Aim to spend $13–14 per week If you underspend one week, roll it over to a heavier week (midterms/finals)

  Option 2: Flexible Approach Use 2 swipes per week consistently (22 swipes) Save 8 swipes for busy weeks (midterms, long days on campus) Dining dollars:  Keep dining dollars closer to $12/week Save the extra ~$1–2 per week as a cushion

• Will this program be open again for summer?

  At this time, this program will not be available during the summer term due to limited funding. We understand how important this resource is for students, and we remain committed to offering support when funding allows.

  If you anticipate needing food assistance during the summer, we encourage you to connect with the Basic Needs Center. Our team can help you explore other available resources.

CONFIDENTIALITY DISCLAIMER: All information provided is PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL. It is intended for the use of the individual or entity who is applying and UCR Professional Staff. All information provided is protected by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Visit the Undocumented Student Programs office in Costo Hall 224 
 usp@ucr.edu

Undocumented Student Programs

Social: https://www.instagram.com/usp_ucr/ 

Other Food Resources Available:
R’Pantry & Community Sources
Meal Support 
 

For questions regarding the Butterfly Meal Swipes Program please contact basicneeds@ucr.edu.