Basic Needs
Basic Needs at College of Alameda takes a holistic, student-centered approach to helping students with the basics, so that they can focus on their education. Our services include three pillar programs: The Market, Tasty Tuesday, and The Boutique. When available, we also distribute: Emergency Food Grants, Emergency Aid, Wi-Fi Hot Spots, and we help connect students to other Basic Needs resources both within and outside the CoA community.
Information on our short-term, more immediate services can be found below. For more long-term, sustained services, please review this Resource Guide.
EMERGENCY FOOD GRANT
Grant Amount: $300.00, one-time grant provided as a gift cards for Safeway
Purpose: Groceries
To Apply: Complete the online form HERE
Eligibility Requirements:
- Home campus must be College of Alameda
- Must be enrolled in at least three (3) units at College of Alameda
- Have not received Emergency Food Grant in prior semesters
- High school special enrollment students are NOT eligible for Emergency Food Grants
Contact: Jeremy Simmons, Basic Needs Coordinator, jsimmons@peralta.edu
STUDENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS
This collection of short-term reoccurring grants range in amount from $50 to $100, depending on the type of grant. Students can apply for multiple grants, but can only receive a maximum of two per semester and are not eligible to receive the same grant multiple times per semester.
All grants below require students to be enrolled in at least 3 units at CoA, and they must have CoA as their home campus. Additional grant requirements:
TRANSPORTATION GRANT ($100 per semester)
Intended to help student with their commute to campus
$100 Gas Card or Clipper Card (Student’s Choice)
Apply HERE
SCHOOL SUPPLIES GRANT ($50 per semester)
Intended to help students with school supplies
$50 gift card to CoA bookstore
Apply HERE
** WHILE SUPPLIES LAST & NOT GUARANTEED **
QUESTIONS?
Contact Jeremy Simmons, Basic Needs Coordinator: jsimmons@peralta.edu
The Market at CoA
The Market is a bi-monthly outdoor where students* can pick-up free fresh produce and select grocery items on the
2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month while classes are in session.
Time: 11:30am-1:30pm
Location: Behind the Student Center / F-Building
*Students should bring a valid student ID with current term sticker and reusable shopping bags
THE BOUTIQUE
The Boutique is an extension of the on-campus pantry and offers a variety of free, gently used clothing items and
accessories. The Boutique is primarily supplied via donations; so items are available to students on a first-come, first
served basis.
Time: 10am – 4pm Every Day (except Tuesday)
Location: Room F122 – Student Center / F-Building (1st Floor)
One Stop Shop at CoA is just that, one place on-campus where students can stop-in and shop for:
• Grocery Basics, Fresh Produce, and occasionally Eggs and Frozen Meat products
• Personal Care and Hygiene Items
• Gently used Clothing, Shoes, and assorted random Knick-Knacks
Time: 10am – 4pm Every Day (except Tuesday)
Location: Room F122 – Student Center / F-Building (1st Floor)
WI-FI HOT SPOTS
A limited number of internet wi-fi hot spot devices are available to students enrolled in at least one online course — hot spots are checked-out to students on a first-come, first served basis and are not guaranteed to be available.
Submit a request using this online request form.
The COA Library has Chromebooks for Checkout
Registered COA students may check out a Chromebook from the Library for the entire semester. For more information, visit the College of Alameda Library.
our contacts
Jeremy Simmons
Basic Needs Coordinator
E: jsimmons@peralta.edu
L: Building F, First Floor