Division of Student Affairs
Hello Colleagues,
At Oregon State University, we care for OSU community members facing food insecurity and financial stress. The Basic Needs Center (BNC) and university partners are preparing for potential impacts of the federal government shutdown on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Please familiarize yourself with the resources below so that we can all help our community navigate this challenge.
Support of Basic Needs at Corvallis and OSU-Cascades:
Peer Navigators can help students access resources like food programs, cost-effective meal strategies, and employment opportunities. If you’re unsure about referring students to the BNC, we invite you to visit Champinefu Lodge in Corvallis for a tour and to meet our student leaders.
The Associated Students of Cascades Campus (ASCC) and the Student Care Case Manager are great starting points for information about accessing basic needs support at OSU-Cascades and in Central Oregon. ASCC has several Student Support Programs, including a food pantry, basic needs products, and emergency housing and childcare subsidies.
Peer Navigator Services:
Drop-in at Champinefu Lodge (1030 SW Madison Ave)
Hours: M–Th 8am–6pm, F 8am–3pm
Non-Corvallis students: email bnc.help@oregonstate.edu for remote appointments
Grocery Support Programs:
1. Food Pantry on the Corvallis Campus: Most Wednesdays, 8am–2pm (check @bncatosu on Instagram or call 541-737-9127 for updates). This program also supports staff who meet income qualifications.
2. Beaver Healthy Boosts on the Corvallis Campus: Fridays, 12–1:30pm (while supplies last).
3. Food Pantry on the OSU-Cascades Campus: Mondays and Thursdays from 6pm to 10pm; Tuesdays from 11am to 1pm; and Wednesdays from 4pm to 10pm.
Upcoming Events:
1. SNAP & OHP Support Event:
Wednesday, Oct. 29 | SEC 112 | 9am–1:30pm
BNC staff will assist with applications and share strategies for navigating the shutdown. Partners include the MU Teaching Kitchen and Student Health Services.
2. Lunch & Learn for Staff – Making Great Referrals to the BNC:
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 12–1pm
Learn a 5-step referral process and BNC basics. Register at: https://beav.es/xKj
Sustaining Basic Needs Efforts:
Financial gifts to the Beavers Fight Hunger fund help our Basic Needs Center (BNC) student leaders support their peers in creating strategies for meeting their basic needs while in college and long-term, plus provide the immediate assistance they need through the BNC food pantry on the Corvallis campus and the Associated Students of Cascades Food Pantry at OSU-Cascades. Contributions are particularly welcome at this difficult time.
Additional Resources for OSU Community Members:
If an OSU community member or someone in their household receives SNAP benefits, here are things to consider:
• Visit the Oregon Department of Human Services Food Resources website to find local programs and food support.
• Visit the Oregon Food Bank Food Finder and Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon websites for additional resources.
• To identify local food-pantry resources, call 2-1-1, text their ZIP code to 898-211, or visit www.211info.org.
o Benton County Food Pantries and Meal Sites
o Linn County Food Pantries and Meal Sites
o Deschutes County NeighborImpact Database for food pantry and meal service providers
• Older adults and people with disabilities can connect with the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) to find government and community resources. Call 1-855-673-2372 or visit www.adrcoforegon.org.
• Challenges like this can add stress and impact mental health, especially when people are juggling work, family, student loans, or caregiving. If you need support, remember that OSU employees have mental health resources through Lyra Health. Students can also access Counseling & Psychological Services for mental health and counseling support; Anytime Anywhere: A 24/7 mental health support app offering multilingual counseling can be downloaded from your mobile app store.
• OSU employees can sign up for a ONE Online account and download the Oregon ONE Mobile app at benefits.oregon.gov to get notices about their SNAP benefits.
Regardless of what occurs with SNAP, the strategies and supports above are good to know and to share with our campus community. Knowing where help is available makes a meaningful difference. Let’s continue to connect students and colleagues with the support they need and ensure no one faces these challenges alone.
Sincerely,
Kevin A. Dougherty, Ed.D.
Senior Associate Vice President & Dean of Students
Division of Student Affairs
Bonny Ray
Executive Director
University Human Resources
studentaffairs.oregonstate.edu