Basic Needs Resource Center (BNRC)

Two people stand inside RCC’s Basic Needs Resource Center pantry, smiling as one hands the other a canned food item. Shelves behind them are stocked with cereal, peanut butter, canned goods, and other grocery essentials for students.

Basic Needs Resource Center

The Basic Needs Resource Center (BNRC) is here to make sure no RCC student goes without food, housing, or support. Through a quick intake form, we connect you with resources like the Food Pantry, housing help, hygiene items, counseling referrals, and programs like CalFresh. Our team checks in each semester so you’re not navigating challenges alone. When your basic needs are met, you can focus on school, and we’re here to help you get there.

Need Support?

Complete our Student Needs Intake Form (5–10 minutes). Your responses help us connect you with the right resources.

COMPLETE INTAKE FORM

"Basic Needs Resource Center is a godsend. They helped my family and me when all the money I had went to moving costs. They offered me diapers, wipes, and hygiene products for my baby and us. The food is excellent... one of the best things on campus."

Tabatha Flickinger

RCC Student | Special thanks to: Dez, Amiyah, and Marianne

Contact Us

Center & Pantry

Kane Building #104
Monday–Friday: 8 am – 5 pm
Call: (951) 328-3777
Email: basicneeds@rcc.edu
May close temporarily on Wednesdays during delivery times. 

After-Hours

Digital Library, Rm 231
Dates: TBD
5:30 - 8 pm
Snacks, Grocery Bags, & Hygiene Kits Available

DPSS Outreach VAN

In front of the Digital Library
Dates: 2/18, 3/5, 3/18, 4/2, 4/22, 5/7, 5/20 and 6/4
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
CalFresh & Medi-Cal Help

Services Offered

The Basic Needs Resource Center provides grocery-style food support to students experiencing food insecurity. Students typically may access the pantry once every two weeks. If a student indicates a higher level of need through the Student Needs Intake Form or by communicating directly with our team, access may be increased when possible.

Eligibility & Guidelines

  • Must be actively enrolled in the current semester
  • Student ID required at each visit
  • Students are encouraged to bring reusable bags to support sustainability

While the Basic Needs Resource Center does not offer snacks, snack sponsorships are provided to each of the six Academic Engagement Centers on campus. Students may visit their assigned engagement center to pick up snacks during operating hours.

Our center offers essential hygiene items, including feminine products, dental hygiene supplies, deodorant, and more. These items can be accessed as needed.

Laundry & Shower Services
Free laundry and shower services are available by appointment. To request an appointment, please email BasicNeeds@rcc.edu. Laundry and shower supplies are provided with a confirmed appointment.

The Basic Needs Resource Center facilitates housing support programs designed to address homelessness and housing insecurity among Riverside City College students.

Types of Housing Support

  • Long-Term Housing Support: Rental assistance for up to one academic year, including wraparound case management and personal development support to assist students in exiting homelessness. Students contribute rent on a progressive scale and transition to full rental responsibility upon exiting the program.
  • One-Time Emergency Housing Support: Short-term financial assistance to support housing stability, including help with security deposits, move-in costs, or late rental payments to prevent eviction.
  • Community & Emergency Resources: Access to a comprehensive list of community-based and emergency housing resources that students may explore independently.

Disclaimer: Our housing program has limited capacity. Applying for support does not guarantee housing or immediate placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to receive support is by completing our Student Needs Intake Form. This allows you to privately share your needs with our team. After submitting the form, you will receive our resource booklet and may be contacted directly if additional support is available, including extended grocery support or our Housing Support Application.
You may also access grocery and personal hygiene resources in person by visiting the Basic Needs Center during open hours:
  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8 am – 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 8 am – 6 pm
Our food pantry operates during the same hours as the Basic Needs Center. Students are welcome to shop for groceries and personal hygiene items during their visit. We encourage bringing reusable bags when possible.
To shop in the pantry, students must:
  • Be actively enrolled in the current term
  • Bring their student ID each visit
  • Check in at the front desk before shopping
Please note: We do not distribute snacks at the Basic Needs Center. However, we proudly sponsor snacks at the six Academic Engagement Centers on campus. Snacks are also available at the ASRCC Tiger's Den located on the second floor of the Bradshaw Building.
If you are currently experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, please complete the Student Needs Intake Form as soon as possible. You may also contact us directly at BasicNeeds@rcc.edu
Either option will allow us to connect you with the Basic Needs Housing Support Application (the first step in our process) and community resources that may be able to provide immediate assistance. Please note that for all Basic Needs Housing Programs, students must have successfully completed at least one prior term and remain continuously enrolled to be eligible for housing support.
Housing Support Process:
  1. Complete the Housing Support Application
  2. Our team verifies enrollment and financial aid eligibility
  3. Student is placed on the active waitlist
  4. An intake interview is scheduled to determine the best support path
  5. Student is referred for available housing support
Please note: Basic Needs Housing Programs do not include the RCCD-UCR Residential Scholars Program. That program's information and interest form can be accessed here.
To request a laundry or shower appointment, please email BasicNeeds@rcc.edu
  • Laundry appointments:
    • Tuesdays & Thursdays
    • 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
    • Appointments are limited and subject to availability
    • Laundry services are provided in partnership with Athletics
  • Shower appointments:
    • Available as needed, based on availability
Students who book laundry or shower appointments may receive detergent and shower essentials, including shampoo, body wash, and towels, from Basic Needs.
Yes. In addition to our core Basic Needs services, we work to connect students with both on-campus and community resources that support essential needs such as food, housing, health care, mental health, and transportation.
We partner with the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) to bring CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, and General Assistance support directly to campus through the DPSS Outreach Van. Our team also works closely with Health Services and Mental Health Services and can help provide information and referrals to these support services as needed.
For transportation support, eligible students can access the RTA Go Pass, which provides free bus transportation throughout each academic term.
If you’re unsure what support may be available to you, completing our Student Needs Intake Form is the best way for our team to help identify resources and connect you with appropriate services.