Basic Needs Center

Evergreen's center for student basic needs, advocacy, and resources

About the Center

College Activities Building (CAB), Room 135

The Basic Needs Center facilitates access to necessities such as housing, food, clothing, and hygiene products, and community resources at no cost to students. Our Basic Needs Navigator offers private one-on-one and virtual appointments and helps students connect to community resources through tailored referrals and advocacy.

The Basic Needs team collaborates with support services across campus and a variety of community partners – including peer support, transportation, health services, legal aid, family support, and more - to ensure students have the guidance they need to navigate local resources/services and overcome challenges. 

Bilingual support is available in English/Spanish.  

Directions to the Basic Needs Center

Campus maps

The Center is accessible from the outside of the CAB, just across from the Costantino Recreation Center.  Olympia Map and Directions

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Basic Needs Center Location Campus Map
Basic Needs Center, CAB 135

Appointments and Drop-in Hours

Winter Break Hours
December 23 & 30: 1 - 5 pm by Appointment
Closed for the rest of Winter Break 

Winter Quarter Hours | Starting January 6, 2025
Mondays & Fridays: 1 - 5 pm by Appointment
Wednesdays: 1 - 5 pm Drop-ins

Appointments

Students unable to come to the Olympia campus are encouraged to contact us so we can help you access services and resources near you.

Schedule an Appointment

Evergreen Campus Food Bank

2 - 4 pm, every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month

Evergreen has partnered with the Thurston County Food Bank to create a pop-up food bank at Evergreen Olympia Campus for the community. Food can be picked up from the Basic Needs Center. 

Learn more about the Campus Food Bank

Essential Items

We also stock many other items students may need, including school supplies, home items and cookware, cleaning supplies, books, and plant care items.

Shelf-stable Food Pantry

In addition to the Evergreen Campus Food Bank, we also have a pantry of shelf-stable items for students. 

Clothing Items

We provide clothing, including gender-affirming items. Fitting rooms are available so you can look and feel comfortable.

Hygiene & Personal Care

We have a variety of hygiene products, such as shampoo and conditioner, menstrual items, toothbrushes, and PPE. 

Referral Services 

Access Referral Services on Unite Us

While we work with a variety of campus and local community partners to assist students with basic needs, we also offer referral services for students via the Unite Us platform.

  • SNAP/EBT
  • Family Support
  • Housing
  • NAMI Mental Health Support
  • Legal

Resources and Services

The Basic Needs Center Team offers one-on-one meetings available virtually or in-person, in office or at the Basic Needs Center, for support with many resources.

Basic Needs Navigator

V. Guardado

Here to help you navigate essential resources on- and off- campus including but not limited to EBT/SNAP support, medical, mental health support, peer support, legal assistance, community housing connections, and more.

Housing Case Manager

Lane Moss

Facilitates access to the Student Support Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) grant and provides resource referrals for students experiencing on in danger of housing insecurity, utility cut off, or other housing-related emergencies.

Americorps Food Resource Coordinator

Rachel Espinoza-Ortiz

Coordinates and helps facilitate access to Food Satellite Distribution in collaboration with the Thurston County Food Bank.

Support the Basic Needs Center

Volunteers and donations from our community provide necessary access to basic needs such as food, clothing, and hygiene products at no cost to students.

Make a Donation

Donations from our community go a long way to supporting student needs at Evergreen. We accept in-person donations from students, staff, faculty, the community at the Basic Needs Center year round.

Become a Volunteer

Support your community by volunteering at the Basic Needs Center. Work with staff and the volunteer team to assist students in accessing free services and resources for needs such as housing, food, clothing, and hygiene products.