Get Help With Your Basic Needs
At CWS, we know students do their best when their basic needs are met – whether you need help with food, housing, or access to healthcare, we’re here to support you. CWS connects students with resources both on campus and in the community so they can focus on their education. We offer one-on-one support with our Basic Needs Navigator as well as self-guided resources, making it easy to find the help you need.
Basic Needs Navigator
Our Basic Needs Navigator is here to work with you one-on-one to help you connect with campus and community resources, take advantage of state/federal assistance programs, and see if you might qualify for emergency funding through the university. Use the form below to request an appointment.
CWS Request Form
Meet With Basic Needs Navigator
Community Resources
Looking for a self-guided approach to finding basic needs assistance? Check out our resources below to see what is available at EWU and the greater Spokane community. For those in WA State, call 2-1-1 to be connected with resources in your area.
Food Resources
The EWU Food Pantry program is dedicated to ending hunger on our campus, providing access to fresh food and basic hygiene products to EWU students, staff, and faculty. Our program gives the EWU community access to our central food pantry and 9 food cabinets located on the Cheney and Spokane campuses.
For more information, click here to access our Food Pantry website.
Part of Cheney Outreach Center, the Cheney Food Cupboard is a shopper’s choice style pantry. Hours vary, click here for more information.
Based out of Deer Park, GreenHouse provides a food bank, clothing bank, and energy assistance programs. Click here for more information.
One of our pantry suppliers, Second Harvest brings community resources together to feed people in need through empowerment, education and partnerships in Eastern Washington. Their website has a Food Bank Locator. They also host mobile markets, offering a free “shopping” experience to anyone in need.
SNAP (or Basic Food) is a government program providing low-income with funds for groceries. WIC provides free groceries for pregnant and breastfeeding parents, and for children under 5. They also offer nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support. For more information, click here.
Clothing Resources
Located in Williamson as part of the Education program, this clothing closet is open to EWU students by appointment only. Contact Stephanie Lauritzen via email at slauritzen@ewu.edu to set up a time to visit!
Don’t have time to schedule? There is a mini closet just outside the elevator doors on the 2nd floor of Williamson Hall.
The clothing bank is open four days a week (Tues – Fri) during regular business hours (10:00 am to 2:30 pm). Located at 170 S Madison, Spokane, WA. City Gate provides a wide variety of clothing, shoes, coats, blankets and toiletries for adults and teenagers. Each guest may use the clothing bank services one time per month as needed. Please visit at 10am OR 12:30pm, to ensure an appointment that day.
Each 90-minute Sister’s Closet appointment focuses on fitting a client with items to help them feel beautiful, boost their confidence, and support their personal and professional goals. A client will receive clothing, shoes, makeup, accessories, and personal hygiene products as available during their scheduled appointment. Call 509-789-9280 on Friday mornings to schedule an appointment for the next week.
Housing Resources
Catholic Charities offers a wide range of programs and assistance for those who are low-income, have a disability, or are experiencing homelessness.
Family Promise serves families in the Spokane area, providing assistance for long- and short-term housing as well as an emergency shelter in the downtown area.
A free crisis shelter with a long-term residential option. Anna Ogden Hall serves women and children. There may be additional requirements. Please contact UGM through the link for mor information.
They offer counseling groups, life skills classes, educational/vocational learning center, parenting classes, personal enrichment opportunities, fun activities, exercise, diet and nutrition, case management, opportunities for health management and medical care.
Admission process requires attending orientation held at Anna Ogden Hall most Fridays – call 509-327-7737 to RSVP.
House of Charity is a low-barrier emergency shelter in Spokane. The HOC provides emergency services including meals, shelter, and case management to an underserved population of homeless, transient, and poor individuals in the Spokane area.
Spokane Housing Authority offers affordable housing and housing choice vouchers to qualifying low-income families. For more information please call 509-328-2953.
St. Margaret’s ensures that families coming from homelessness, incarceration or drug treatment or fleeing domestic violence have safe and welcoming living spaces. They offer stabilization services that are driven by the families we serve and provide housing and vocational experts to assist families with resources and connections to community partners and programs. Their goal is to serve as a brief stop that helps families’ on their path toward moving in to their permanent, new home.
The Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs (OHY) leads statewide efforts to reduce and prevent homelessness for unaccompanied youth and young adults, ages 12-24. Offering five priority service areas to teens and young adults: Stable Housing, Family Reconciliation, Permanent Connections, Education & Employment, and Social & Emotional Wellbeing.
Spokane shelter dedicated solely to homeless young adults aged 18-24. All are welcome, including couples. First come, first serve. Open 24/7. Call 509-309-3744 for more information.
Healthcare Resources
Free or low-cost healthcare for qualifying applicants. To access the Apple Healthcare FAQ, click here.
Students at Eastern Washington University are eligible to receive clinical services through MultiCare Rockwood each quarter. To learn more about Student Health Services through Multicare, click here.
PPGWNI offers a variety of healthcare services including telehealth and in-person appointments, birth control and STD testing by mail, sports physicals, and yearly check-ups.
CHAS Health is a non-profit federally qualified health center providing quality medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services to families and individuals of all ages, regardless of background, insurance status, or ability to pay. They can also help identify insurance options for low-income clients.
