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Basic Needs

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Going beyond simply providing a top-notch education to our students, Minneapolis College is shaping our environment through a more holistic approach, creating opportunities by providing access to basic needs. Attending to mental and physical health, hunger, housing, supplies, COVID-19 and other essential services helps ensure students can attain their goals.

If you need personal assistance, please contact the Student Resource Center:

Location: T.2200 (Student Resource Center)
Phone: 612-659-6709
Email: resources@minneapolis.edu

Food Pantry

The Student Resource Center's Food Pantry is open and students are now able to access the food pantry up to two semesters past their last semester of enrollment.

Open Wednesday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | T.1220 - across from the College Store.

All order forms will be completed in person at the food pantry during the above operating hours.
You must be in line by 3:45 p.m.

The Food Pantry needs Bags! Please bring your own reusable grocery bag if you have one. And, if you have some to share, please bring them to the Food Pantry as a donation.

Questions? Please contact us at resources@minneapolis.edu.

Childcare/Parenting

The Student Parent Center is located within the Student Resource Center. This is a space for currently enrolled students and their children; this is not a drop-off center and students must be with their children at all times. Please click the link to learn more about the center and hours of operation.
Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) Grant is a childcare grant that helps currently enrolled students pay for childcare. Please click the link to learn more and see if you qualify. Contact ccampis@minneapolis.edu for any questions.
HelpMeGrow Minnesota provides resources for families to understand developmental milestones and learn if there are concerns.
HelpMeConnect Navigator is a navigator connecting expectant families, families with young children (birth – 8 years old) and those working with families to services in their local communities that support healthy child development and family well-being.
HelpMeConnect Family Well-being and Mental Health webpage and parenting support programs highlight services and resources that support family health, mental health and safety.
HelpMeConnect parenting support programs offer resources, information and connections with other parents.
Minnesota Follow Along Program through the Minnesota Department of Health helps parents and caregivers track their children's development and let them know if their children are playing, talking, growing, moving and behaving like other children the same age.
Early Childhood Family Education is a parenting program offered through Minnesota public school districts and community organizations for families with children between the ages of birth to kindergarten entrance.
HealthyChildren.org by the American Academy of Pediatrics provides child and youth development resources for caregivers.
Childwelfare.gov – Understanding Children’s Developmental Stages offers resources on child development.
Minnesota’s Parent Support Outreach Program is a voluntary support service that helps pregnant and parenting families thrive.
DHS’ mental health webpage provides links to mental health resources, crisis lines and more.

Non-Emergency Assistance

United Way 211

Looking for non-emergency assistance but don't know where to call?

2-1-1 is an easy to remember FREE telephone number that connects callers to a specialist who can assess the caller's needs and link the caller to the right service/services using a comprehensive database of services, whether federal, state, local government, faith-based or non-profits.

TEXT: YOURZIPCODE to 898211 (ex: Text 55943 to 898211 if you are in Houston, MN)

Benefits to 2-1-1 Users:

2-1-1 is efficient, fast and easy to use
One call gives you access to resources across your community
No more wrong numbers means no more wasted time trying to find help
2-1-1 maintains the integrity of the 9-1-1 system—reserving the 9-1-1 system for life and death emergencies

2-1-1 has the capability to link people in need of assistance with various types of services such as:

Basic Human Needs: food banks, clothing, shelter, rent & utility assistance and more. 
Physical & Mental Health: health insurance programs, Medicaid, Medicare, maternal health, children's health insurance plans, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug & alcohol rehabilitation, victims services and more.
Employment Support: Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and educational programs
Support for Seniors and People with Disabilities: adult day care, activity centers, Meals on Wheels, home health care, transportation, specialized services and more
Support for Children, Youth and Their Families: advocacy, empowerment, child care, after school programs, family resource centers, summer camps, recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring, and more.  
Disaster Aid: Find shelter, food distribution centers, state and federal assistance, volunteer opportunities, emergency financial assistance and more.

If you need assistance, please dial 2-1-1. Not working correctly? Try 1-888-421-1266.

You may also visit their website to view their online resource directory or chat with a call specialist.

Random Acts of Kindness

Minneapolis College Random Acts of Kindness grants are now accessible to enrolled students. This program is designed to help students experiencing unexpected financial challenges.

You can apply for a Random Acts of Kindness grant through a simple electronic application process. Whether you're experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, transportation issues, or unexpected expenses, this grant program may be able assist you.

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Grant

The Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Fund helps students meet basic needs such as one-time emergency expenses, transportation costs, food, the cost of taking certification exams after graduation and many other things.

The Random Acts of Kindness Grant application is available here. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact resources@minneapolis.edu.

Please note: Due to limited funding, we are working with the Financial Aid Office to check overages. Students who receive large overages will be denied for RAK.

Nursing Program Random Acts of Kindness

The Nursing Program Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) is a program of random acts of kindness to assist currently-enrolled nursing students who are undergoing extreme financial difficulties so that they can continue their education at Minneapolis College.

The Nursing Program Random Acts of Kindness Grant application is closed. All funds have been depleted.

Please note: Due to limited funding, we are working with the Financial Aid Office to check overages. Students who receive large overages will be denied for the Nursing Program RAK.

Please reach out to resources@minneapolis.edu for any questions or concerns.

Food

Housing

AmeriCorps Housing Navigator, located within the Student Resource Center - Gaynell Edaferierhi
Ways to Pay for Rent and Housing

If you are within 14 days of Houselessness:

Individuals seeking shelter should contact the County office in their county of residence. In Hennepin County, single adults would contact Adult Shelter Connect at 612.248.2350. Families seeking shelter should contact Hennepin County at 612.348.9410. After hours, please call United Way 211 (mobile: 651.291.0211).

Mental Health

If you are a Hennepin County resident, call COPE (Community Outreach for Psychiatric Emergencies) at 612-596-1223. The COPE team is available 24/7.

For LGBTQIA+ crisis and suicide prevention support, call Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 and/or The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 (24/7/365 available, text options available at TrevorText: Text START to 678-678 stand messaging rates apply).

Connect with a Personal Wellness Counselor in the Student Resource Center. Click the link to learn how to make an appointment with Counselors, Melissa Schultz or Merlita Lockman.
Crisis Text Line offers free help to those who are having a mental health crisis or are contemplating suicide. Just text MN to 741741. Services are available 24/7 across Minnesota.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Line (toll free) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Ramsey County Crisis Mental Health Support

Student Parent Support Initiative (SPSI) Grant

Minneapolis College has received the Student Parent Support Initiative Grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for student parent retention and overall completion rates. Currently enrolled students who are parents or pregnant may apply for the grant by providing details, and demonstrating their need for funds. Grant award amount will depend upon how many credits you are currently taking.

Student Parent Support Initiative Grant - Spring 2025 Application

Please reach out to resources@minneapolis.edu for any questions or concerns.

Technology/Internet Access

Transportation

Other resources for basic needs: