Education

Education

Food Assistance and Basic Needs

Gina Calco, student and co-founder of the Food Resource Center and Nicolette Ulrich, Student Health & Wellness Center program coordinator in the Food Resource Center in the OHSU Student Center on Marquam Hill.]

On this page you’ll find information about:

Food Resource Center

As a part of Student Health and Wellness, the Food Resource Center provides free groceries, fresh produce and hygiene items to all OHSU students. Whether you’re a local, regional or remote student, we encourage you to drop by and browse our current stock. We frequently receive donations of:

  • Frozen meat, prepared meals and ripe produce from local grocery stores
  • Basic, shelf-stable ingredients and seasonal produce from the Oregon Food Bank.

The Food Resource Center purchases popular items that are not often donated, such as eggs, toilet paper and detergent, in bulk to reduce costs.

Order online

You can order shelf-stable groceries and hygiene products online and pick them up at either the Student Center or the House Finch Hub in the southwest corner of the Robertson Collaborative Life Science Building.

Volunteer with us

Volunteering with the Food Resource Center is a great way to support your fellow students and boost your own well-being. Our student volunteers often report feeling more fulfilled and less stressed, which aligns with research about the mental health benefits of volunteering.

Some common volunteer tasks include restocking shelves, packing online orders, sorting donations, helping with student outreach, and cleaning.

If you’re interested in volunteering or have any questions, please fill out our volunteer interest form or email food@ohsu.edu.

Ways to donate

The Food Resource Center relies on donations to keep our shelves stocked. You can support students by donating:

  • Funds
  • Shelf-stable groceries
  • Home-grown produce
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Dishes
  • Utensils
  • Kitchen appliances
  • And more

We use donated funds to purchase items in bulk, which allows us to get more out of every dollar.

If you have questions about donating, please email us at food@ohsu.edu.

Food Resource Center coordinator Nicolette Ulrich and student co-founder Gina Calco talk about how OHSU’s Food Resource Center is addressing food insecurity on campus.

Food assistance for students on regional campuses

If you’re a student at one of our regional campuses, food resources are available through your host campus: 

Additional food resources may be available through your host campus. Email your student inclusion and success coordinator to learn more. 

Additional food resources for students

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

SNAP is a government-funded program that helps you buy food when income is low. Check if you're eligible and apply online at Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon.  

With SNAP benefits, you might also qualify for:

  • Help repaying federal student loans through economic deferment 
  • Double SNAP dollars at local farmers markets, including the OHSU Farmers Market 
  • $5 tickets to some cultural events and art shows 
  • Programs that can cut your phone bill by up to half 
  • Help with paying for internet 
  • Free or reduced-cost school meals if you have kids in K-12 
  • Nutrition education and food vouchers through Women, Infants and Children (WIC) 

     

10% OHSU student food discount

Swipe your OHSU student badge when checking out at OHSU-owned dining locations to receive 10% off. 

The discount is available at: 

  • Blink Cafe 
  • Cafe on Third  
  • It's All Good natural food store  
  • Plaza Cafe  
  • Sam's Cafe  
  • Summit Cafe 
  • Vesta’s Table 

If you’re on the West Campus, Anne's Deli sponsors a meal discount. You can purchase a $25 voucher for only $18. 

Find free groceries near you

Enter your ZIP code in the Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder to find free groceries, meals and fresh produce.

Urban Gleaners also offers free groceries and meals in the Portland area.

Basic needs assistance

Whether you need short- or long-term support, we’re here to help you find campus and community resources so you can thrive at OHSU.  
  
We can connect you to services to help you: 

  • Manage your finances
  • Access emergency funds
  • Find legal services
  • Apply for SNAP
  • Find child care
  • Find housing

Email basicneeds@ohsu.edu and tell us how we can help. We'll respond within 1-2 business days and work with you to build a support plan. 

If you’re a student at one of our regional campuses, email your student inclusion and success coordinator for support with basic needs in your area. 

Basic needs resources

Visit our Student Support page for a list of resources at OHSU. 

Resources in the community: 

If you’d like to help address students' basic needs, join our task force by emailing us at basicneeds@ohsu.edu. 

If you’re a student at one of our regional campuses, email your student inclusion and success coordinator for information about basic needs resources in your area. 

Contact us

Please email us if you have any questions or need support.

Food Resource Center locations and hours

Visit us inside the Student Center on Marquam Hill at 722 Campus Drive and in the House Finch Hub in the southwest corner of the Robertson Life Science Building at 2730 S. Moody Avenue.

Student Center shopping hours:

  • Mondays, 2-7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 2-7 p.m.
  • Fridays, 2-7 p.m.

House Finch Hub shopping hours:

  • Tuesdays, 2-7 p.m.

Not an OHSU student?

Email us at food@ohsu.edu to learn about food resources that may work for you. Also visit Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder and Urban Gleaner’s website to find free groceries, meals, and fresh produce near you.