Grocery Support
Short-Term Grocery Support is intended for UCR undergraduate and graduate students who are experiencing food insecurity and need additional financial support to purchase groceries.
When to Seek Short-Term Grocery Support
If you are having difficulty affording food, having to reduce portions, or skipping meals to make food last.
Grocery Support Eligibility
- Students must be currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate at UC Riverside.
- Students must use their UCR email and input their SID correctly when booking.
- Student has not received a grocery support card in the last 30 days.
Grocery Support Map
*Coming Soon*
How to Seek Short-Term Grocery Support
Students are eligible to choose a Stater Bros card for in person pick up OR an electronic Target card every 30 days.
Any issues with docusign you must notify us via email within the designated time frame (shared with you in the docusign itself) at basicneeds@ucr.edu, subject line "Grocery Support Assistance".
$50 Target card here.
OR
$50 Stater Brothers card here.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What time do appointments open up?
- Every Sunday morning. Typically, between 11am-12pm.
How often can I book an appointment for a card?
- Once every 30 days. For example: If you booked an appointment on 9/26/22, you are not eligible to book again until 10/26/22.
For in person cards, can I pick up on a different day than the day I booked for?
- No. We are flexible on the time picked up when designated staff is available, but it must be the same day you signed up for.
What happens if I don't complete the docusign before the deadline or if I don't make it to pick up my card on my booked day?
- Your card will be voided and no longer available for pick up. Please check your email frequently and read the docusign thoroughly.
What if I need more grocery support?
- We encourage you to check out our R Pantry page to book an appointment or to get information on our upcoming walk-in days.
What happens if I book both cards/multiple appointments?
- Only one stater bros appointment will be accepted, and you will be notified that signing up for multiple is not allowed.
Can I pick up my friends' card?
- No, this will no longer be allowed.
Check out these additional on- and off-campus resources.
On-Campus Food Resources
-
Cooking Well
Student Recreation Center (SRC)
Come by the SRC's classroom kitchen for weekly healthy cooking classes to learn how to prepare your own meals and try some good eats.
-
Fruit on Campus
Pentland Hills, Aberdeen, CHASS and HUB plaza
Students are welcome to pick fruit from any of the trees on the main campus and treat themselves to pomegranates, oranges and kumquats.
-
Convenience Stores
On-Campus Convenience Stores
Find groceries, grab-n-go food items and basic household supplies here. The store is open daily, though hours may change quarterly. Check the website for current hours.
CalFresh/EBT can be used on campus at the following locations: HUB Scotty’s Market and Glen Mor Market.
-
R'Garden
R'Garden
The 3-acre space includes a community garden, row crops, a Valencia orchard and a greenhouse area where members of the UCR community can grow fresh produce. Some of the fruits and vegetables grown are given to R'Pantry. Students are welcome to pick fruits and vegetables for free, and are invited to help harvest or plant new crops.
- Located next to Lot 30
- Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–sunset; Saturday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.–sunset
-
UCR Food Recovery
Join our messaging system to receive messages of free food around campus. To be an administrator please email rpantry@ucr.edu.
Off-Campus Food Resources
-
Arlington Temporary Resources
9000 Arlington Ave., No. 112, Riverside
Monday/Wednesday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Closed Friday)
(951) 689-5620Students, families and the homeless can access emergency assistance from the organization, including free food boxes (limit of six times per year), clothing and referrals to social services. Free produce is offered to the first 10 visitors (first-come, first-served basis). To qualify, you must bring a picture ID, proof of income and proof of address.
-
Community Assistance Program of Moreno Valley
24594 Sunnymead Boulevard, Suite W, Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm
(951) 485-7792Moreno Valley residents who are in need of emergency food, clothing, and utility assistance
-
Community Connect
2060 University Ave., No. 212, Riverside CA
(951) 686-4402This is a community hotline so callers must specify that they are hoping to sign up for or get answers about CalFresh assistance.
-
Faith Community Church
4070 Jackson St., Riverside
(951) 689-0642Free produce while supplies last. No qualifying required. *Email for more info: admin@faithchurchriv.com.
-
Family and Kids Foundation
115 W La Cadena Dr. Riverside, Ca 92501
(951) 733-3498Every Thursday: Seniors 12pm - 1pm and Families 1pm - 4pm; No RSVP needed * Drive up service
-
Feeding America
2950 Jefferson St., Riverside CA
(951) 359-4757Please ask for the CalFresh Outreach Coordinator and specify that you are part of UC Riverside.
-
Galleria at Tyler Farmers Market
1299 Galleria at Tyler, Riverside
Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Accessible via RTA bus: From Bannockburn take RTA Route 1, exit Galleria at Tyler. Accepts WIC.
-
Kaiser Permanente Farmer's Market
10800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside
Friday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Accessible via RTA bus: From Bannockburn take RTA Route 1, exit Magnolia and Polk. Accepts WIC and CalFresh. -
La Sierra University Church
4937 Sierra Vista Ave, Riverside, CA 92505
Wednesdays 8a-10:30a *Closed the 5th Wednesday of each month.
(951) 354-7095Box of supplemental food once a month for families and individuals who live in 92505
-
Lutheran Social Services/Genesis Food Pantry
3772 Taft St., Riverside
Tuesday/Thursday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
(951) 689-7847Free food boxes are available on a first-come, first-served basis once a month. Clothing assistance is also available. Only a picture ID is required.
-
Mt. Rubidoux Seventh-Day Adventist
5320 Victoria Ave., Riverside
(951) 276-8374Every Saturday 3pm - 5pm; Drive up pantry; First come, first served basis
-
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Food Pantry
5250 Central Ave., Riverside
Riverside Monday–Friday, 9–11:30 a.m.Located in the parking lot of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church is the community Food Pantry. It is open to all those in need, providing a shopping bag of donated food staples (not prepared food).
-
Riverside Cunty Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)
Jurupa: 5921 Mission Blvd., No. 100
(951) 509-8243Riverside: 11060 Magnolia Ave.
(951) 358-3400 -
Riverside Farmer's Market Downtown
Main St., between Fifth and Sixth, Riverside
Saturday, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.Accepts MarketMatch
Accessible via RTA bus: From Bannockburn take RTA Route 1, exit West University and Lemon. Accepts WIC.
-
Rubidoux Certified Farmer’s Market
5256 Mission Blvd, Rubidoux
Monday, 8am-1pmAvailable via RTA bus: From Bannockburn Village
-
Set Free Church Thrift Store
3021 14th St., Riverside
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
(951) 682-0960Free food boxes available. You must call ahead to request a box. No ID or eligibility requirements.
-
St. George's Episcopal Church
950 Spruce St., Riverside
Thursdays, 5–6:30 p.m.Students can enjoy a hot meal at the church every Thursday evening. Please call the church for more information.