Basic Needs Resources

The Basic Needs Center at Merritt college is committed to advancing justice and holistic care on our campus to support the well-being of our students. We believe that food security, housing security, and financial stability are essential. The Basic Needs Center aims to remove barriers and offer tools and assistance to bolster students’ capacity to thrive personally and academically. We provide short-term emergency relief and connect students to campus and community resources. We are in the process of expanding virtual and physical workshop offerings and resource hubs.

All enrolled students including international and undocumented students are eligible for Basic Needs Center resources and services.

BASIC NEEDS REQUEST FORM

Are you a student in need of basic resources to help you remain academically successful?

For more information regarding Merritt College’s Basic Needs Resources, click

Basic Needs Request Form

What to expect after submitting this form

Submitting this application does not automatically guarantee your eligibility for all services applied for.
The Basic Needs Coordinator will outreach to you to schedule a 20-30 minute meeting within 3-4 business days
The purpose of the meeting is to become more familiar with your situation, connect you with additional resources based on your situation, as well as collect information to assess eligibility of services that you are requesting
Once your meeting is complete the information is reviewed, you will be contacted via email about the status of your application and what services you are eligible for.

Best Colleges’ List of Basic Needs Resources

bit.ly/StudentResourcesBasicNeeds

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Merritt College Emergency Aid Program: Project Success

Purpose: The Project Success Emergency Aid Program is designed to assist students in dealing with unforeseen financial emergencies that, if not quickly resolved, could cause students to drop out of school.

Grant Amount:

$500.00 (limit over the life of the program)
Student Eligibility Requirements:
Merritt College must be the student’s home college.
Enrolled in 6 units or more.
GPA of 2.0 or greater

How to Apply:

Complete the online application. Students requesting assistance to pay an outstanding bill should be prepared to upload a copy of the outstanding bill. Approvals for food or grocery requests will not exceed $200.

For questions, contact Susana Abdurahman (Basic Needs Coordinator) at

sabdurahman@peralta.edu.

FOOD RESOURCES

Merritt S.O.U.L. Food Bank

Merritt College’s Food Bank occurs every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month when school is in session. It is held in R-127 (R Building, Student Center) from 12 PM to 2 PM. For more information, visit https://www.merritt.edu/foodbank/.

CalFresh

Would you like to receive money for groceries every month? Apply for CalFresh here!

Alameda County Food Banks

Name	Address	Contact Information
Alameda Food Bank (Only those who live or work in Alameda can receive food)	650 West Ranger Avenue Alameda, CA 94501	(510) 523-5850 https://www.alamedafoodbank.org/
Alameda County Community Food Bank	7900 Edgewater Dr Oakland, CA	(510) 775-2527 www.accfb.org
California Association of Food Banks	1611 Telegraph Ave, Ste 830 Oakland, CA	(510) 272-4435
Hope 4 the Heart Food Bank	22035 Meekland Ave Hayward, CA	(510) 581-4673
Butler’s Pantry LLC Food Bank	2159 National Ave Hayward, CA
Berkeley Food Network Food Bank	1925 9th St Berkeley, CA	https://berkeleyfoodnetwork.org/contact-us/
Berkeley Food Pantry Food Bank	1600 Sacramento St Berkeley, CA	(510) 525-2280
Dorothy Day House Food Bank Homeless Shelter	Berkeley, CA	(925) 519-9881
Chubby Pantry Co Food Bank	3448 Oak Knoll Blvd Oakland, CA
Monday Night Mission: East Oakland Food Bank	5733 San Leandro St Oakland, CA	(510) 516-0166

HOUSING RESOURCES

Building Futures/211/Operation Dignity

Contact Building Futures at 866-A-WAY-OUT (24 HOUR TOLL FREE CRISIS LINE) or Call 2-1-1 For the same intake The 24 hours, 7 days a week resource for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness is to call 2-1-1.

Staff there have the most in-depth knowledge of available resources, shelter locations, and available housing applications. There are a number of resources countywide that can be accessed by calling 2-1-1 or visiting their website at http://211alamedacounty.org/.

Mobile Outreach Non-profit organizations Operation Dignity and Building Futures provide basic necessities to those experiencing homelessness while working on stabilizing their situation and helping them to find housing.

Dine and Connect

Dine and Connect Held on the last Monday of each month, dinners lead by Alameda’s faith based community provide more than just a warm meal to those experiencing homelessness. Alongside dinner, this program connects individuals to services and resources and fosters community with an opportunity for individuals to meet, talk, and connect.

Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church 1420 Lafayette St. Alameda, CA (click to view contact info)

Covia Home Match

Covia Home Match
881 Turk St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 351-1000
https://covia.org/programs/home-match/

Home Match Oakland Rooms Catalog

LEGAL RESOURCES

East Bay Community Law Center’s Free Immigration Legal Services

To schedule a virtual appointment with the East Bay Community Law Center, click here.

PANTHER PARENT RESOURCES

We see you Panther Parents!!! We know it’s not easy juggling school, work, parenthood, and life. Merritt College and the Panther Basic Need Center are here to support you and your cubs (children) with Panther Pride.

Browse through the information below and click the links to access more support services and resources.

Panther Parents qualify for early (priority) registration. To prepare for registration, parents are encourage to complete all of the steps to apply and enroll (apply for admission, complete orientation, meet with a counselor, enroll in your classes, and pay your fees.
Don’t forget to apply for additional support. Click the links below check the eligibility requirements and apply for
- Financial Aid,
- EOPS/CARE,
- CalWORKS,
- Next UP (former foster youth)
Panther parents might also qualify for CalFresh Benefits , California Earned Income Tax Credit , the Young Child Tax Credit , and nutrition education, breastfeeding support and healthy foods through the WIC program.
Peralta Child Care @ Merritt College

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