Basic Needs Center

Basic Needs Services

The Ventura College Basic Needs Center provides support to help students meet essential needs and stay focused on their education. Services include:

  • CalFresh application assistance (help applying for monthly grocery benefits)
  • Care Room (Mental health and wellness referrals)
  • Food pantry access with free groceries and daily snacks
  • Housing referrals and support for students experiencing housing insecurity
  • Meal Voucher Program
  • Medi-Cal application assistance for free or low-cost health coverage
  • Transportation assistance through free Ventura County bus access with a valid VC student ID
  • Treasure Chest Boutique (hygiene supplies, clothing options, cleaning products)
  • VC Student Emergency Grant support for unexpected financial hardships

Services are available to currently enrolled Ventura College students.

Have questions?
Call (805) 289-6583 or email vcbasicneeds@vcccd.edu

The BNC helped relieve a lot of external challenges. I used the food pantry daily, allowing me to make academics my priority. It was a space to get a quick snack or heat a meal. The BNC helped me apply for the CalFresh program. I know I would have struggled to focus on school without this resource. Thanks to all the resources and support I received at Ventura College, I was able to transfer to my dream school, UCLA, and will graduate next year with a B.S. in Neuroscience. I am extremely grateful to Ventura College.

Natalia Bucio, Ventura College Student | Transfered to UCLA

natalia bucio