Food for Thought

College can be a stressful time as you balance school, work, relationships and more. Some things you shouldn’t have to worry about, though, like when and how you're going to eat. Turn to these campus and community resources to stay well-fed and healthy.

CalFresh 

CalFresh is a federally mandated, state-supervised and county-operated government entitlement program that provides monthly food benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels. These benefits can be used at various local grocery and convenience stores, including Scotty's convenience store located at the Highlander Union Building (HUB) and now online!

Find out if you qualify and how to apply.

Short Term Grocery Support

Intended for UCR graduate and undergraduate students who are food insecure (having difficulty affording food, having to reduce portions, or skip meals to make food last). To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled at UC Riverside. Approved students can receive a maximum of  $50 in grocery support every two weeks. 

Due to the large volume of requests please expect a 2-3 week delay in receiving your grocery cards. 

APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE NOW

Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT)

  • Are you experiencing an urgent financial need?
  • Are you in need of food but do not have enough money to buy groceries?
  • Are you struggling to find a safe, stable place to sleep? (living in your car, temporarily staying with friends or family, living on the street)

Eligibility Criteria (Updated Summer 2020)

  • To receive grocery card support or emergency housing, you must be an enrolled or continuing UCR undergraduate or graduate student
  • To receive an emergency financial grant for basic needs, you must be a UCR student enrolled in the current term (Summer Session 2020)
  • Be able to demonstrate an urgent financial need with supporting documentation

Examples of supporting documentation 

  • Copy of lease, rental agreement, or mortgage statement
  • Bank statement or Venmo screenshot showing payment history (to landlord or friend/family for rent, etc.)
  • Eviction notice
  • Copy of bills or past-due notices
  • Letter or email from landlord about past-due balance
  • Any document that shows proof of the amount of your rent

The Economic Crisis Response Team is a cross-campus collaboration with representatives from Financial Aid, Housing, Case Management, Student Business Services, and The Well. For questions contact basicneeds@ucr.edu

Graduate and undergraduate students can request assistance for a financial, food, or housing crisis using the form button below
 

APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE NOW

 

Emergency Food Resources
 

Student Affairs Case Management

125 Costo Hall

casemanager@ucr.edu
deanofstudents.ucr.edu
(951) 827-5000

If you're struggling with an issue, the Case Managers will help you brainstorm, problem solve and connect you to the right resources.


R'Pantry

Temporarily Located at the Physical Education Building at Lot 19.

By Appointment Only: https://rpantry.youcanbook.me/

go.ucr.edu/rpantry

facebook.com/ucrpantry
rpantry@ucr.edu

The Well: (951) 827-9355

R'Pantry is managed by The Well and provides emergency non-perishable food, personal hygiene, household care and childcare items for students experiencing food insecurity. Hours of operation vary per quarter.

Grad Student Hours at R'Pantry

Temporarily Located at the Physical Education Building at Lot 19.

go.ucr.edu/rpantry, rpantry@ucr.edu

Graduate students experiencing food insecurity can get emergency food, personal hygiene, household care and childcare items during our graduate student only food distributions at R'Pantry.  Graduate students are also welcome to come to any general food distribution at R'Pantry as well.  Hours of operation vary per quarter.

Food Resources
  • Cooking Well

    Student Recreation Center (SRC)
    recreation.ucr.edu/cookingwell

    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.

  • On-Campus Convenience Stores

    On-Campus Convenience Stores
    dining.ucr.edu/marketatglenmor/shop.html

    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

    Located next to Lot 30
    Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–sunset; Saturday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.–sunset
    rgarden.ucr.edu, rgarden@ucr.edu

    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.

  • Arlington Temporary Assistance

    Monday/Wednesday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Closed Friday)
    9000 Arlington Ave., No. 112, Riverside
    (951) 689-5620

    Students, 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) on Monday/Wednesday. To qualify, you must bring a picture ID, proof of income and proof of address.

  • Faith Community Church/Angel Food

    Monday/Wednesday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
    4070 Jackson St., Riverside
    (951) 689-7090

    For $30, an individual can enjoy a large box of food. Food boxes must be ordered ahead of time and can be picked up once a month.

  • Lutheran Social Services/Genesis Food Pantry

    Tuesday/Thursday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. 
    3772 Taft St., Riverside
    (951) 689-7847

    Free 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

    Second Tuesday of the month, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. 
    5320 Victoria Ave., Riverside
    (951) 276-8374
    info@mtrubidouxsda.org

    A monthly food box is offered to those in need of food services. A picture ID is required.

  • Our Lady of Perpetual Help/Food Pantry

    Monday–Friday, 9–11:30 a.m.
    5250 Central Ave., Riverside
    (951) 689-8921

    Students can enjoy fresh, nonperishable food materials through donations from local vendors. To sign up, bring a picture ID and proof other household members (ID or birth certificate), Social Security card/number and medical paperwork (if needed). Please call for more information.

  • St. George's Episcopal Church

    Wednesday, 5–6:30 p.m.
    950 Spruce St., Riverside
    (951) 686-9936

    Students can enjoy a hot meal at the church every Wednesday evening. Please call the church for more information.

  • Set Free Church Thrift Store

    Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. 
    3021 14th St., Riverside
    (951) 682-0960

    Free food boxes available. You must call ahead to request a box. No ID or eligibility requirements.

  • Riverside Farmer's Market Downtown

    Saturday, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
    Main St., between Fifth and Sixth, Riverside 
    Accepts MarketMatch
    Accessible via RTA bus: From Bannockburn take RTA Route 1, exit West University and Lemon. Accepts WIC.

  • Galleria at Tyler Farmers Market

    Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
    11299 Galleria at Tyler, Riverside 
    Accessible via RTA bus: From Bannockburn take RTA Route 1, exit Galleria at Tyler. Accepts WIC.

  • Kaiser Permanente Farmer's Market

    Friday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
    10800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside
    Accessible via RTA bus: From Bannockburn take RTA Route 1, exit Magnolia and Polk. Accepts WIC and CalFresh.

  • UCR Food Recovery

    Join our messaging system to receive messages of free food around campus. To be an administrator please email rpantry@ucr.edu.

  • Rubidoux Certified Farmer’s Market

    Rubidoux Certified Farmer’s Market
    Monday, 8am-1pm

    5256 Mission Blvd
    Available via RTA bus: From Bannockburn Village