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Welcome to the Basic Needs Hub at Western Washington University, home of the Basic Needs Office, Off Campus Living, Western Success Scholars and the WHOLE Pantry. We know that know that over half of Washington college students report experiencing basic needs insecurities (WSAC) Our mission is to ensure that every student has access to the resources they need to thrive... Resources for individuals experiencing food insecurity. Resources for housing security available for WWU students, staff, and faculty. Financial resources for students experiencing unforeseen emergencies. The Basic Needs Hub includes The Basic Needs Office, The Office of Off Campus Living and Western Success Scholars.

We are here to support you as you navigate housing, food needs, finances, and the things that adulting entails. We encourage you to make an appointment if you are in facing a basic needs emergency or have questions regarding resources. You may also visit the Basic Needs Hub located in Viking Union 420. Basic Needs helps students connect to housing, food, and other essential resources. Off Campus Living helps students learn the basics of renting, rights and responsibilities as a tenant and connects students to off campus housing. Gina Ebbeling (she/her)Basic Needs Resource NavigatorEmail Gina

Western Success Scholars is a campus-based supportive program designed to assist all incoming WWU first year, transfer and continuing students who have experienced foster care or homelessness. If you were struggling to meet your needs, where [on campus] would you turn to first? Nearly half of all college students in Washington experience basic needs insecurity1. Your friend, your classmate, or even your needs may not be currently met. The Washington Student Achievement Council defines basic needs as being anything a student requires to live successfully: access to food, shelter, healthcare, childcare, internet, and more1. According to the Washington Student Experience Survey, students who are unable to meet their basic needs struggle to thrive academically, leading to decreased retention during learning and increased risk of dropout1.

Even more concerning, rates of need insecurity skyrocket when observing specific student groups compared to their peers; especially Black and African American students, American Indian and Alaska Native students, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students,... Oftentimes these students reach levels of crisis before they find help, leaving them nowhere left to go. A red and white sign reading, “No Loitering. Police Enforced.” On the wall below is a spray-painted red X. Kaeson Warnes // Wavelength With such high numbers, wouldn’t you think that those holding power in Washington state would be more vocal about this issue?

Shouldn’t we be hearing more about the college needs epidemic? State universities like WWU have begun to implement vital resources that work directly with the community to uplift students and help meet their needs. These resources have faced significant barriers when receiving state funding and recruiting knowledgeable employees, but they are attempting to provide help to the students that need it most. Students, staff, and faculty- stop by and visit the Basic Needs Hub! See our space and learn about the work we do. Snacks provided!

If you have questions or would like additional support, please contact Gina Ebbeling to make an appointment. Food insecurity is when people can’t access the food they need to live their fullest lives (Feeding America). According to a survey across WA State 39 colleges and universities in 2024, 43.8% experienced food insecurity in the last 30 days. We believe that all students should have equitable access to quality, nutritious food. Financial Aid can assist students with food costs that create a barrier to pursuing educational goals. Approved requests give funds to use for food on campus.

Requests can be made through Financial Aid by making an appointment with a financial aid counselor or scheduling an appointment with Gina Ebbeling, Basic Needs Resource Navigator. Students who work at least 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month, or who have accepted work study on campus, or who have dependents may be eligible for food assistance, also known... The Basic Needs hub can assist students with applications Friday during the quarter from 11-2pm in VU 420 or by meeting with the basic needs resource navigator, Gina Ebbeling. We have workshops and events throughout each quarter that assist students in applying and understanding the process. See our events page for more information. Students are welcome to visit campus food pantries as needed.

Each pantry is run independently and vary depending on size. The WHOLE pantry in the Viking Union is managed by Basic Needs and is consistently stocked each week offering food and hygiene products. Basic Needs HubViking Union 420HWHOLE@wwu.edu360.650.3750 WHOLE is located in the Viking Union room 435 and provides food and hygiene items to Western students at no cost. We recognize that over half of students attending public institutions in WA are facing basic needs insecurities (WSAC). WHOLE is openWeekdays 9:00 am - 5:00 pmWeekends 10:00 am - 5:00 pm(except on holidays and when the Viking Union is closed)

WHOLE is a welcoming space that strives to support students. The pantry is restocked 1-2 times per day on weekdays and sustained through donations and an AS Government self-imposed student fee. WHOLE serves over 2,000 WWU students per week. We encourage students to also look into resources such as SNAP/Food Assistance and The Bellingham Food Bank to supplement their basic needs support. Western’s Basic Needs office works with students experiencing basic needs insecurities and connects students to resources and support. Gina Ebbeling (she/her)Basic Needs Resource NavigatorEmail Gina

The Basic Needs Hub is located in Viking Union 420 and is open Monday-Friday 9-5 The Basic Needs Hub is excited to share that its updated website, designed to better serve our students and connect them to on- and off-campus resources. The hub is home to Basic Needs, Office of Off Campus living and Western Success Scholars. You can find the site at https://basicneeds.wwu.edu and note that it is easily accessible on My Western's top navigation bar under Basic Needs Hub as well. This site is the designated basic needs site for Western, bringing together an extensive list of resources. With 50 percent of Washington college students reporting basic needs insecurities easy access to resources is important.

We hope staff and faculty can utilize this site as they are working with students who may be in search of resources as well. You will also find ways to schedule appointment for students and view upcoming events such as our Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week of programming, Nov. 18-22, 2024. This site is updated often, and we welcome additional information if you know of a resource not listed. To share additional resources or if you have questions, please contact Gina Ebbeling, Basic Needs Resource Navigator, at ebbelig@wwu.edu. .page-title { --h1-size: var(--font-size--5xl); max-width: var(--content-area-max-width--sm); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; } h1 { line-height: 1.1; text-transform: none; font-weight: var(--font-weight--semibold); } .float-right { float: right; margin-left: var(--space--md); } .byline.float-right:after { width: 100%; }...

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Welcome To The Basic Needs Hub At Western Washington University,

Welcome to the Basic Needs Hub at Western Washington University, home of the Basic Needs Office, Off Campus Living, Western Success Scholars and the WHOLE Pantry. We know that know that over half of Washington college students report experiencing basic needs insecurities (WSAC) Our mission is to ensure that every student has access to the resources they need to thrive... Resources for individuals ...

We Are Here To Support You As You Navigate Housing,

We are here to support you as you navigate housing, food needs, finances, and the things that adulting entails. We encourage you to make an appointment if you are in facing a basic needs emergency or have questions regarding resources. You may also visit the Basic Needs Hub located in Viking Union 420. Basic Needs helps students connect to housing, food, and other essential resources. Off Campus L...

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Western Success Scholars is a campus-based supportive program designed to assist all incoming WWU first year, transfer and continuing students who have experienced foster care or homelessness. If you were struggling to meet your needs, where [on campus] would you turn to first? Nearly half of all college students in Washington experience basic needs insecurity1. Your friend, your classmate, or eve...

Even More Concerning, Rates Of Need Insecurity Skyrocket When Observing

Even more concerning, rates of need insecurity skyrocket when observing specific student groups compared to their peers; especially Black and African American students, American Indian and Alaska Native students, students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students,... Oftentimes these students reach levels of crisis before they find help, leaving them nowhere left to go. A red and white sign reading, “No ...

Shouldn’t We Be Hearing More About The College Needs Epidemic?

Shouldn’t we be hearing more about the college needs epidemic? State universities like WWU have begun to implement vital resources that work directly with the community to uplift students and help meet their needs. These resources have faced significant barriers when receiving state funding and recruiting knowledgeable employees, but they are attempting to provide help to the students that need it...