Basic Needs

What you need to survive and thrive

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. A student can re-apply for a grocery support card 1 x every 2 weeks.

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 Winter 2021)

  • 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 (Winter 2021)
  • Be able to demonstrate an urgent financial need with supporting documentation

Examples of supporting documentation 

  • Copy of lease, rental agreement, or mortgage statement (if rent is split between roommates, please indicate your portion of the rent in your application and submit documentation of your payment only) 
  • 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
  • If you are unsure of what documentation to submit, please contact basicneeds.ucr.edu before submitting your application 

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. Due to a high volume of applications, please allow up to 4 weeks for a final determination on your case. 

Graduate and undergraduate students can request assistance for a financial, food, or housing crisis using the form button below. For additional emergency fund resources please visit https://financialaid.ucr.edu/emergency-funds

Winter 2021 APPLICATIONS OPEN ON JAN 4, 2021 AND CLOSE ON MARCH 12, 2021  

    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 Highlander Union Building room 269.

    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 Highlander Union Building room 269.

    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 Resources

      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). To qualify, you must bring a picture ID, proof of income and proof of address. 

    • Faith Community Church

      4070 Jackson St., Riverside (951) 689-0642 

      Free produce while supplies last. No qualifying required. *Email for more info: ​admin@faithchurchriv.com 

    • 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

      5320 Victoria Ave., Riverside
      (951) 276-8374
      info@mtrubidouxsda.org

      Every Saturday 3pm - 5pm; ​Drive up pantry; First come, first served basis

    • Our Lady of Perpetual Help/Food Pantry

      5250 Central Ave., 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).  

    • 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. 

    • 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


       

    • Community Assistance Program of Moreno Valley

      24594 Sunnymead Boulevard, Suite W, Moreno Valley, CA 92553  (951) 485-7792 

      Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm 

      Moreno Valley residents who are in need of emergency food, clothing, and utility assistance 

    • Family and Kids Foundation

      115 W La Cadena Dr. Riverside, Ca 92501 951-733-3498 

      Every Thursday: Seniors 12pm - 1pm and Families 1pm - 4pm; ​No RSVP needed * Drive up service 

    • La Sierra University Church

      4937 Sierra Vista Ave, Riverside, CA 92505  (951) 354-7095 

      Wednesdays 8a-10:30a *Closed the 5th Wednesday of each month. 
      Box of supplemental food once a month for families and individuals who live in 92505