Basic needs are the minimum resources necessary for personal well-being, generally described as food, water, shelter, clothing and sleep. The Basic Needs Center works to provide access to essential resources for all students at CU Boulder to support students’ overall wellness.
The Basic Needs Center and the Buff Pantry are run by our team of student and professional staff, with the support of many campus and community volunteers.
The Basic Needs Center partners closely with several student services departments on-campus. We work directly with SSCM to process student requests and referrals through one referral form. SSCM and BNC review incoming requests together and determine which office is assigned to each case based on the student’s needs and situation. This collaboration with SSCM makes the intake process more efficient and decreases the number of touchpoints students must navigate to receive support.
SSCM provides individualized support for students throughout their college career. SSCM takes a holistic, non-clinical case management approach to help students address myriad needs or personal life events that may impact their educational career. A case manager supports a student facilitating connections and navigating the resources and services available to them whether on campus or in the community. Learn more about SSCM.
The Basic Needs Center can only provide direct assistance for food and housing needs at this time. However, we provide referrals to campus and community resources that can support additional needs. Contact our office to see which resources are available for you.
We are here to help you! We strive to ensure that our office feels safe and welcoming for any student that needs assistance. Reach out to us in any way that feels comfortable for you.
You can submit a request for resources on behalf of someone else. Once we receive your referral, we will connect with the student in need without disclosing who submitted the request or requiring that they respond.
Experiencing basic needs insecurity can feel overwhelming and isolating. Let the student know you’re here to support them and there are resources available for them at CU Boulder. If the student needs support beyond basic needs, we can connect them to SSCM for long-term support.
There is no weight limit on food distributed to Buff Pantry visitors. Our staff will weigh your food at the end of each visit to track how much we are distributing, but the weight of your food is not attached to your name in our database.
Refer to the community resources page to see other food assistance programs and pantries are available within the Boulder area. Additionally, we recommend filling out a referral form to meet with one of our staff members so that we can determine how to serve your needs better.
Our programs are available to all CU Boulder students currently enrolled in classes, regardless of financial aid status. When visiting the Buff Pantry, please bring your Buff OneCard to verify your student status. If you need housing assistance, our staff may ask for financial aid information to support you.
University staff can attend our mobile food pantries held once a month. Additionally, we can assist with connecting staff to community and governmental resources.
Using our food assistance programs will not affect financial aid. If you need housing assistance, we will need to schedule a meeting to discuss potential changes to financial aid awards.
Thank you for advocating for the well-being of those around you; we appreciate your support! You can share information about our office with other students, classes and departments by requesting a presentation, referring a student in need or by visiting our office to pick up outreach materials.
We provide a variety of volunteer opportunities for students, staff, faculty and community members, including one-day events and long-term volunteer opportunities. Visit our volunteer page to learn more and sign-up.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded food assistance program that provides nutrition benefits for qualifying families and individuals to support their food budget. The Basic Needs Center can submit SNAP applications on your behalf. Learn more or schedule a meeting with us.
Our staff can help connect students to emergency housing if needed. Please complete the referral form on our website or call our office at 303-735-9938. We strive to respond to requests in a timely manner. Be sure to check your email for a message from the Basic Needs Center.
