Basic Needs
Basic needs include food, housing, and assistance with utilities. Please use this website to navigate local resources, if you're an on-campus students, or if you you're an online student, use the Resources Beyond Central Louisiana section of each topic to find support near you.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Two general resources are recommended to anyone seeking assistance with food, housing, or utilities.
Try the United Way’s 211 program. Simply call 211 to be connected to a local United Way agency that can direct you to services in your community.
You can check your eligibility for a number of government-provided benefits here. The results of this 10-30 minute questionnaire will include a list of services you may qualify for as well as where to apply for them.
Food Security Resources
The LSUA Food Pantry is open to all students and is located on the second floor of the Student Center’s West Wing (above the Bookstore). Please check in at the front desk. Hours of operation are Tuesday from 1:00pm-3:00pm, Wednesday 12:00pm-2:00pm, Thursday 8:00am-9:00am, and also by appointment by emailing HMalone@lsua.edu. The pantry is stocked by private donations. There are microwavable means and shelf-stable foods, as well as a number of travel-sized hygiene products in the pantry.
The Food Bank of Cenla. The Food Bank distributes food from an Alexandria location, local pantries throughout Central Louisiana (use the Agency Locator), and mobile pantries. Please be sure to check eligibility requirements. You will need a picture ID as well as the number of people in your household and total household income. They can also assist you with applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also called food stamps. Request assistance here.
Feeding America has a Food Finder that can help you find a local food bank or agencies to assist you with applying for SNAP. The Food Finder can also help you to determine what kinds of programs are available to you, depending on whether you have children or not. You can use links on the right side of the site to find BackPack programs that feed school-aged children during weekends and school breaks.
FoodFinder is a website that connects people to emergency food supplies in their communities. Search by zip code to find local agencies, churches, and pantries that distribute food.
Food Hero is a website that helps you to plan tasty, quick, and affordable meals, with additional information about nutritious foods and best methods to preserve foods.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to help eligible households buy the food they need. If you live in Louisiana, you can apply here. Video tutorials on creating an account and applying for SNAP are available here. If you live in another state, check this directory for your state’s SNAP office.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Louisiana can provide eligible families with healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and links to other social services. If you live in another state, find your WIC Program Office here.
Utilities & Financial Assistance
The LSUA Office of Financial Aid is committed to providing exceptional service to our students. You can speak with a staff member about your financial aid to determine whether you are maximizing your potential aid as well as other potential sources of aid.
Cenla Community Action Committee can provide eligible individuals with assistance paying for energy and water bills through the LIHEAP and LIHWAP programs. They also offer diapers for families with infants. Please pay attention to the documents required for assistance.
Local congregations sometimes provide assistance to individuals struggling to pay utility bills. Please check with St. Rita Catholic Church and St. James Episcopal Church.
The FCC’s Lifeline program can lower the monthly cost of phone or internet service.
LIHEAP is a program that assists eligible households to pay their energy bills. You can determine your eligibility and find your state agency here.
LIHWAP provides funds to help eligible households with water bills. You can find your local administering agency here.
Housing Insecurity
The Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition operates many homelessness services, as well as supportive housing programs.
Hope House provides safe transitional housing to the homeless, offering financial and job-search education as well.
Local congregations sometimes provide assistance to individuals struggling to pay rent. Please check with St. James Episcopal Church.
Volunteers of America-North Louisiana offers a Level Up program to move homeless or housing-insecure youth, aged 18-24, into permanent supportive housing quickly while addressing current needs and past trauma. You can apply here.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development maintains a list of state offices, which provide resources to renters, those looking for affordable housing, and homeowners. Find your state agency here.
Faculty and Staff Resources
What are basic needs?*
Basic needs include food, housing, mental health, and financial resources, among others. Student basic needs security is critical for ensuring strong academic performance, persistence and graduation, and overall student wellbeing.
How Can I Help?
Referrals
Issues of food and housing insecurity can come with a significant amount of stigma. If a student does disclose that they are facing these challenges, you have several options to offer support. You can refer them directly to Student Engagement, complete a CARES: Student of Concern Form, or share this webpage with them.
Referral Steps:
Thank them for sharing with you.
“I’m sure it was hard to share that struggle with me; thank you for trusting me.”
Acknowledge the challenge they are facing.
“I can’t imagine how hard it is to focus in class when you are hungry.”
Discuss options for support.
“Did you know we have a food pantry in the Student Center?”
“Student Engagement may be able to help connect you to local resources.”
Follow-up to see if they accessed the resource or need more help.
“Were you able to connect with Student Engagement?”
* Adopted and adapted from the Rutgers University Department of Off-Campus Living and Community Partnerships.
