UCI Basic Needs Center

Congratulations to the winners of our Pantry 10th year Anniversary event! Your prizes are ready to be picked up during pantry hours at the Basic Needs Center! And thank you to everyone who joined us today 🎉🧡
1)JBL Portable Speaker - Gimin Roh 2)Instax Mini - Jyoti Maharjan 3)Mini Air Fryer - Cierlyn Ricafort

CalFresh HQ is officially open! Our annex room across the patio has been redesigned to serve as our CalFresh enrollment and support space. In collaboration with , we will be offering Calfresh Office Hours with county representatives for same day application and interviews on select days! Our staff members will also provide regular in-person application assistance appointments in this space 🧡🎉🍎🥕🥦

Got CalFresh Benefits ⁉️ 📣 The Zot ‘N Go Express at Social Sciences now accepts EBT purchases 💳

Grab a pick-me-up on your way to or between classes at this convenient location 🐜 🍪

💫 Giving Day is officially a week away on Tuesday, April 22nd. The Basic Needs Center will be participating in this occasion, an exciting 24-hour online fundraising opportunity to gather funds to increase the variety of options offered at our Pantries, ensuring every UCI student has access to nutritious food 🥕🍎

Our campaign page is now live at bit.ly/BN2025Giving. As the date draws closer, we humbly ask of you to support our mission at the Basic Needs Center in the following ways:
 
- Give early! Contribute today at our campaign page, look over our mission, goals, and challenges, and learn more about our impact on students.

- Spread the word! Share our campaign on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn with friends and family to help us reach more supporters.

Another day another recipe! Learn how to make this protein packed meal that is perfect for your weekly meal plan. Best part is, you can get all of the produce here at the FRESH Pantry!🐣🍅🥬

Ingredients:
- 6 Eggs
- Kale
- 1/2 Onion
- 4 String Cheese
- Chicken (optional)
- 1/2 Potato
- 1/2 Zucchini
- 1/2 Tomato
- 1 cup of Milk

Seasonings:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika Powder
- Parsley (optional)
- Nutmeg Powder (optional)

*Feel free to substitute any veggies with your favorite!🧅🥔

Directions:
1. Dice your ingredients until they are small enough to go into your muffin pan.
2. Heat up a dash of oil and stir-fry the chicken until they’re golden brown (It’ll take a while but trust the process!), set them aside.
3. Heat up a dash of oil and stir fry your onion until they are 1/2 cooked before adding zucchini, tomato, and potato. Season them with salt and pepper, cook until the potatoes are 1/2 cooked.
4. Crack 6 eggs on a bowl.
5. Add your milk, chicken, veggies, and cheese into the bowl. Season them with salt, pepper, paprika powder, parsley, and nutmeg powder before mixing them until even.
6. Preheat your oven to 375 degree Fahrenheit.
7. Oil the surface of your muffin pan before pouring your mixture in.
8. Bake the frittata cups in the oven for 30-45 minutes, and check every 5 minutes once it hits the 30 minute mark to avoid burning.
9. Your meal prep is all done! ⭐️

Ajay is our Student Ambassador! He loves the basic needs and as you can see was always showing his support even if he was the only one commenting. His favorite even is the Cal Fresh Enrollment Party where he got his ebt card and Basic Needs Insulated Bag(3 years ago). If you see him at any event do not be afraid to say hello!

Dress to impress at no cost with FRESH FITS 👔✨ Swing by our professional clothing pop-up to snag the ultimate outfit for your next big interview or special event!

Additionally, bring your resume for expert tips from and level up your LinkedIn and networking skills 📄📈

Open to all currently enrolled UCI students, book your spot now! Walk-ins limited.

🗓️ Date: Friday, November 15
🕐 Time: 9:30AM - 2:30PM
📍Location: Division of Career Pathways (across from the Student Center Starbucks)

🔗REGISTRATION LINK IN BIO

📣 Hey Anteaters!

The Basic Needs Center & Pantries are closed this week (9/16-9/20) while our staff prepares to welcome you all for the Fall 💙💛

We’ll be returning to operations in the FRESH Pantry on 9/26 🛒🥕

Final Mobile Pantry of the summer today 9/11! 😎☀️Pantry services will resume on 9/26 at the Basic Needs Center. Emergency food support will still be available in the form of grocery cards via our Basic Needs Assistance form on our website during this gap as our team will be in training and preparing for the Fall quarter. See y’all soon! 🧡💚

Have a great weekend, Anteaters! Our hard-working Summer team recently enjoyed some time in the sun kayaking in Newport Back Bay ☀️😎🌊

Our 1st Summer Calfresh Enrollment Party was a success! We supported 40 students with same-day Calfresh application and benefits approval with a 100% approval rate! That means 40 students walked away with their approved case and an EBT card on hand! Thankful to for partnering with us to host the event on their campus, and for our ongoing partnership with to make more accessible to students 🐜🥕🍏 Missed our enrollment party? We have a second one scheduled for 8/29 at the Student Center and we will release the sign-ups soon via IG and our newsletter!

Despite remote classes and most campus staff working remotely today Thursday 5/16, our center will remain open and the Fresh Pantry distribution will take place as scheduled. As an essential service on campus, our staff is choosing to still open our doors to support our community with their basic needs 🤍