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Basic Needs Center

Basic Needs Resources

The Basic Needs Center strives to provide services and share resources to remove barriers and equip students with tools that support their success and wellness. Here you will find information about various resources on campus and in the community for food, housing, transportation, finances, and more. All enrolled students, including international and undocumented students, are eligible for Basic Needs Center resources and services.

Merritt Basic Needs Spring 2025 Flyer

Come volunteer with us on Thursdays! Fill out the Panther Pantry Volunteer Interest Form 

Follow us on IG for the latest updates! @merritt.bnc

Basic Needs Center

The Basic Needs Coordinator is working hard to establish Merritt College's first Basic Needs Center. The Basic Needs Center will serve as a physical resource hub for students, stay tuned for the launch date! 

For additional resources, please explore the tabs below! If you still have questions, or would like to meet with the Basic Needs Coordinator, you can make an appointment at this link: https://calendly.com/sabdurahman-bnc 

The links and information on our most frequently asked about referrals can be found on our linktr.ee:

https://linktr.ee/merrittbnc 

If you need emergency aid please read more about the Project Success Emergency Grant under "Financial Resources"

Best Colleges’ List of Basic Needs Resources

bit.ly/StudentResourcesBasicNeeds

Financial Resources

ECMC Financial Literacy Trainings

ECMC is pleased to offer webinars that provide you with timely, up-to-date information in a concise format—giving you the right amount of information in the right amount of time. Our webcasts are at no cost to you. Register today for the next training. https://www.ecmc.org/schools/training

Food Resources

The Basic Needs Center's Food Banks are every Thursday, 12 PM - 2 PM.

Housing Resources

 A list of housing resources is available by clicking this link.

For urgent housing needs, call 2-1-1 

More information below:

Building Futures/211/Operation Dignity

Contact Building Futures at 866-A-WAY-OUT (24-HOUR TOLL-FREE CRISIS LINE) or call 2-1-1 for the same intake. The 24-hour, 7 days a week resource for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness is to call 2-1-1.

Staff there have the most in-depth knowledge of available resources, shelter locations, and available housing applications. There are a number of resources countywide that can be accessed by calling 2-1-1 or visiting their website at http://211alamedacounty.org/.

Mobile Outreach Non-profit organizations Operation Dignity and Building Futures provide basic necessities to those experiencing homelessness while working on stabilizing their situation and helping them to find housing.

Dine and Connect

Dine and Connect is held on the last Monday of each month, dinners led by Alameda’s faith-based community provide more than just a warm meal to those experiencing homelessness. Alongside dinner, this program connects individuals to services and resources and fosters community with an opportunity for individuals to meet, talk, and connect.

Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church 1420 Lafayette St., Alameda, CA (click to view contact info)

Covia Home Match

Covia Home Match
881 Turk St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 351-1000
https://covia.org/programs/home-match/
Home Match Oakland Rooms Catalog
Legal Resources

East Bay Community Law Center’s Free Immigration Legal Services

To schedule a virtual appointment with the East Bay Community Law Center, click here.

Centro Legal de La Raza: https://www.centrolegal.org/ 

Eviction Defense Center: https://www.evictiondefensecenteroakland.org/ 

Just Cause/Causa Justa: https://cjjc.org/ 

Oakland Lawyers In the Library: https://oaklandlibrary.org/lawyers-in-the-library/

Panther Parent Resources

We see you, Panther Parents!!! We know it’s not easy juggling school, work, parenthood, and life. Merritt College and the Panther Basic Need Center are here to support you and your cubs (children) with Panther Pride.

Browse through the information below and click the links to access more support services and resources.

Contact Information

Office Hours:
Monday 10 am – 12 pm 
Tuesday 9 – 11 am 
Wednesday 2 – 4 pm 
Thursday 2 – 4 pm

Hankins-Doris-Merritt-College-Staff-Photos-Apr-7-2020-195x273-1

Doris Hankins,
Director of Student Activities & Campus Life
dhankins@peralta.edu
(510) 434-3982
R-124

Michelle Mai

Michelle Mai
Staff Assistant, Student Activities

mmai@peralta.edu
(510) 436-2419
R-124

Susana Abdurahman

Susana Abdurahman
Basic Needs Coordinator
sabdurahman@peralta.edu
(510) 436-2431