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
This collection of one-time or short-term grants range in amount from $50 to $200 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.
Some grants are limited to a one-time award.
All grants below require students to be enrolled in at least 6 units at CoA and they must have CoA as their home campus. Additional grant requirements:
STUDENT PARENT GRANT ($100-200 one-time)
- At least 1 or more children under 18 in household
- Written Statement (brief) explaining need
- Visa gift card
PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING GRANT ($100-200 one-time)
- Intended for students to buy clothing for job search
- Written Statement (brief) explaining future purchase
- Visa gift card
TRANSPORTATION GRANT($100 per semester)
- Intended to help student with commute to campus
- $100 Gas Card or Clipper Card (Student’s Choice)
SCHOOL SUPPLIES GRANT
($50 per semester)
- Intended to help student 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)
TASTY TUESDAYS
In collaboration with Academic Programs and Student Services, Tasty Tuesday provides FREE weekly lunch for currently enrolled students. Lunches are available while’s supplies last. Students must present their ID with a valid, current semester sticker.
Time: 11:30am-1:30pm
Location: Student Center / F-Building (unless otherwise indicated)
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’s 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