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.]](/sites/default/files/2024-03/EDU-Food-Assistance-Basic-Needs.jpg)
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 OHSU students in the Portland area. All students are welcome. Visit as often as you need.
If you’re a remote student, or a student studying at one of our regional campuses, you’re welcome to visit whenever you're in Portland.
Order online
Place an order online and pick up your food at the Student Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ways to volunteer
- Prepare online orders (1-2 hours per shift)
- Work at the Food Resource Center during shopping hours (2 hours per shift)
- Help with administrative tasks
- Sort donations (1.5-2 hours per shift)
- Help with outreach to students
To volunteer, fill out a volunteer interest form or email us at food@ohsu.edu.
Before handling food, volunteers will need to get ServSafe certified by Oregon Food Bank.
Ways to donate
Donate funds:
- Donate by debit or credit card on our secure site
- Donate through OHSU employee payroll deduction
Donate food or equipment:
- Email us at food@ohsu.edu
- Donate through our Amazon Wish List
We cannot accept any temperature-sensitive food donations.
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:
- Southern Oregon University Food Pantry
- Oregon Institute of Technology Food Pantry
- Eastern Oregon University Swipe Out Hunger Program
- Western Oregon University Food Pantry
Additional food resources may be available through your host campus. Email your student inclusion and success coordinator to learn more.
Food resources
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
- Mac Hall Bistro
- 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 Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder to find free groceries, meals and fresh produce near you.
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:
- Call 211 or visit 211.org for food, housing, health and other resources.
- Visit Legal Aid Services of Oregon for civil legal help for low-income Oregonians.
- Visit Community Alliance of Tenants for information about renters’ rights.
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
- Food assistance support: food@ohsu.edu
- Basic needs support: basicneeds@ohsu.edu
Food Resource Center location and hours
Visit us inside the Student Center on Marquam Hill at 722 Campus Drive.
Shopping hours:
- Mondays, 3-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, 3-7 p.m.
- Fridays, 3-7 p.m.
Not an OHSU student?
Email us atfood@ohsu.edu to learn about food resources that may work for you. Or visit Oregon Food Bank's Food Finder to find free groceries, meals and fresh produce near you.