Basic Needs Center
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Basic Needs Center
Over the last decade, college and university leadership, staff, and faculty have increasingly
recognized the urgency of student basic needs.
Basic needs
include a student’s essential requirements for health and well-being that must be
met in order for them to succeed in college. When students cannot meet their basic
needs, it is often (although not always) because they are experiencing short- or long-term
financial instability. Examples of basic needs include, but are not limited to:
Sufficient food
Adequate and stable housing
Appropriate physical, mental, and/or behavioral health care
Ability to pay essential bills
Transportation to school and employment
Safe spaces in which to sleep, relax, and study
Access to showers and other hygiene necessities
Ability to provide these needs for their children or others for whom they are the
primary caregiver
Students who cannot meet their basic needs often cope with these challenges by dropping
classes, working more hours, or skipping semesters, all of which puts them at risk
for dropping out or not transferring (Dubick et al., 2016; Sackett et al., 2016; Chaplot
et al., 2015).
Much of the research on basic needs among college students has focused on hunger and
homelessness, and researchers have found that rates of food and housing insecurity
are much higher than previously believed—especially in two-year institutions. Food
and housing insecurity can create a cognitive, physical, and financial burden that
interferes with students’ ability to learn, to achieve a high GPA, or even to remain
in college and to learn (PattónLopez et al., 2014; Maroto et al., 2014).
Porterville College is committed to our student and community needs and looks forward
to assisting with students’ educational needs on the path to success.
Interest Form
Location:
AC-105,
Basic Needs Center/Pirate Pantry
Phone:
559-791-2281
Hours:
Monday: 7:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Wednesday: 7:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday: 7:30am - 5:30pm
Friday: 8:00am-12:00pm
Please see the
Pirate Pantry page
for Pirate Pantry hours.
Homeless Students
Basic Needs Center Technician
yatziry.mendez@portervillecollege.edu
Showering Facility, AB 1995
Homeless students may use the PC locker room showers Monday-Friday 8:00am - 10:00am
*Check-in required
AC-105 Basic Needs Center
Eligibility:
Must be enrolled in 1 unit
Has paid enrollment fees
In good standing with the CCD
Hygiene and showering necessities available upon check-in
Walking or Appointment Options Available
Interest Form
Community Hot Meal Opportunities
Helping Hand of Porterville- 135 E Olive Ave, Porterville, CA 93257
Phone (559) 854-7008
Open: Monday 8:00am-1:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am-1:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am-1:00pm
Thursday 8:00am-1:00pm
St. Anne’s Food Pantry- 271 S Wallace St, Porterville, CA 93257
Phone (559) 783-8018
Open: Wednesday 8:30am-11:30am
Thursday 8:30am-11:30am
Stannes Parish Food Pantry
Shelter/Housing
Temporary Housing Opportunities
Family Crisis Center
- 211 N Main St, Porterville, CA 93257
Phone (559) 781-7462
Office Hours: Monday 8:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am-5:00pm
Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Evening Shelter Opportunities
Turning Point, Porterville Welcome Center
- 140 S. C St. Porterville, CA 93257
Phone (559) 334-6410 -- it is recommended you call first as it is sometimes difficult
to find up-to-date information online about the Welcome Center
Open: Monday 9:00am-4:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-4:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm
Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm
Turning Point's general website
Resource Opportunities
Porterville Rescue Mission
- 30 South A Street, Porterville, CA 93257
Phone (559) 350-9002
Open: Monday 6:00am-5:30pm
Tuesday 6:00am-5:30pm
Wednesday 6:00am-5:30pm
Thursday 6:00am-5:30pm
Friday 6:00am-5:30pm
Saturday 7:00am-5:30pm
Sunday 7:00am-5:30pm
Wellness Center
- 333 W Henderson Ave #1732, Porterville, CA 93257
Phone (559) 570-5000
Office Hours: Monday 8:30 - 5:00pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm
Transportation – transPORT
PC students get discounted transportation to and from campus
Download the transPORT app
Visit the
transPORT page
for details.
Student ID Cards
Create your Student ID on the PC website for FREE
Go to the
Student ID request page
to begin the process.
CalFresh Application Assistance
Contact Information
Email
yatziry.mendez@portervillecollege.edu
Cal Fresh Food
Complete the
Interest Form
Family Health Care Network
Porterville College and Family Health Care Network have partnered together to share
what is offered in Service and Assistance in the following:
Emergency Medical
Medical Application Assistance
CalFresh Assistance
Housing Assistance
Join us on these dates:
April 8, 2025
May 13, 2025
June 10, 2025
*More Dates TBD*
8:00 am – 5:00 pm (AC-105)
For more information and to schedule an appointment, fill out Basic Needs interest
Form:
Interest Form
Helpful
Links.
Important Dates
Counseling and Advising
Academic Pathways
2025-2026 Catalog