Basic Needs Resources
The Owens Harvest Project: Campus Commitment to Supporting Our Students’ Basic Needs
Owens Community College recognizes that reliable and consistent access to affordable food, housing, transportation, technology, familial care and health care is a central condition for learning.
The purpose of the Resource Stability Team is to ensure the coordination of student resources across the College to best support students in a holistic way during their academic journey.
The committee will achieve this purpose through the following objectives:
- Identify obstacles to student success related to basic needs instability to meet the changing needs of our campus community.
- Propose solutions for overcoming obstacles.
- Share information related to our specific areas and basic needs support.
- Inform the College community of our resource stability efforts.
Find Resources
Our Commitment
We choose to name our project HARVEST in accordance with our commitment to:
Help All people Reap the Value and Experience of Serving and working Together.
Community Resources
Food and Clothing
Locate an Off-Campus Food Distribution Site
Do You Have an Immediate Need for Food or Clothing?
Do You Need an Outfit for a Career or Professional Event?
Do You Need To Apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or Find Out if You Qualify?
Do You Need Food for Your Baby or Young Child?
Health, Wellness, Addiction and Recovery
Do You Need Help With Mental Health?
- Owens Counseling Services Resources
- Dial 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or go to 988lifeline.org or seek the nearest emergency room
Would You Like to Exercise?
Are You Struggling to Manage Stress?
- Student Health and Activities Center (SHAC)
- 5 Ways to Bust Stress in 5 Minutes or Less
- Owens Counseling Services
- FREE Yoga Classes for Owens students
- 9 Tips for Managing Stress in College
Do You Feel Like You Could Hurt Yourself or Others?
- When on campus, please pick up a red phone or call (567) 661-7575 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year
- For an emergency, call 9-1-1
Do You Need Resources for Addiction Support?
- Zepf Center or call (419) 841-7701 (inpatient/outpatient treatment)
- Arrowhead Behavioral Health
- United Way 2-1-1
Do You Have a Physical, Learning, Mental Health, Chronic Health or Sensory-Related Disability?
Are You Interested in Joining an Athletic Team?
Housing and Utilities
Do You Need Emergency/Shelter Housing?
Do You Need Public Housing Assistance (Income-Based Housing)?
Are You Looking For a New Place?
Are You Having Trouble With a Landlord?
Do You Need Gas, Water or Electricity (or Help Paying for Them)?
Parenting and Childcare
Do You Need To Find a Childcare Option for Your Child?
Do You Need Help With Paying For Childcare?
Do You Need Legal Assistance Related to Custody or Guardianship?
- Legal Aid of Western Ohio or call (419) 724-0030
- Legal Aid Line of Western Ohio or call (419) 724-0460
- ABLE: Advocates for Basic Legal Equality
- Family Court, Lucas County
- Family Court, Wood County
Does Your Child Need Health Care?
Are You Looking for Tips on Managing Parenting While Going to School?
Do You Need Any Help With Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention?
Transportation
Are You Having Car Trouble?
- Owens Transportation Technologies call (567) 661-7285
- Penta Career Center
- Whitmer Career and Technology Center
Do You Need Information About the Owens Shuttle?
Do You Need Information About Public Transportation Options (Tarta)?
Foster and Kinship Alumni and Support
Are You Interested in Learning About Resources for Foster Youth and Alumni?
Are You in Need of Emergency or Scholarship Assistance Available To Foster Alumni?
Harvest Food Pantry
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Appointments preferred. Must present a valid Owens ID
Toledo-area Campus Location:
College Hall 151 | Google map location | Building layout map (PDF)
Findlay-area Campus Location:
Please email Community Connections to schedule an appointment in Findlay.
The Owens Harvest Food Pantry is open during regular business hours whenever the campus is open and classes are in session. We are closed during holiday breaks and when the weather is inclement.
For office closures, please review the academic calendar and the events calendar.
Our Services
Our services are available for any Owens students who are currently registered or who have recently graduated.
- Our pantry is stocked with non-perishable food items and we have fresh meat, dairy and produce when available.
- Five snack/mobile pantry carts are located in both the Perrysburg and Findlay library locations as well as in Perrysburg in Heritage Hall, the Center for Fine and Performing Arts and the Healthcare Education Center. There is also a cart located outside of College Hall 151.
- Students are encouraged to use the food pantry as often as needed to remain present for classes and program requirements.
- We encourage every eligible student to apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
- Application process help: Email Community Connections to schedule an appointment online or in person.
Career Closet
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Appointments preferred. Must present a valid Owens ID.
Toledo-area Campus Location:
College Hall 144 | Google map location | Building layout map (PDF)
The Owens Career Closet is coordinated with the food pantry and students are invited to visit the career closet to obtain the following (when available):
- Professional and business casual clothing
- Weather-appropriate clothing (coats, hats, gloves and scarves)
- Shoes
- Accessories
- Some children’s clothing
FREE Store
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Appointments preferred. Must present a valid Owens ID
Toledo-area Campus Location:
College Hall 151 | Google map location | Building layout map (PDF)
Also located in College Hall 151, in the food pantry, is our campus FREE store that collects donations of household items (dishes, silverware, cookware, etc.), linens, towels, books and school supplies.
Students are welcome to stop by to see if we may have what you need before you purchase it unnecessarily.
The campus FREE store serves as a resource for students, but also a sustainability effort on behalf of the campus.
As new spaces are developed on campus, many office supplies are replaced and could otherwise be disposed of. By reclaiming these items for students, we are lessening the burden on our landfills while providing needed resources to students who need them.
Community Garden
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Appointments preferred. Must present a valid Owens ID
Toledo-area Campus Location:
College Hall 151 | Google map location | Building layout map (PDF)
Outside and adjacent to the Center for Campus and Community Connections in College Hall 151, the Harvest Community Garden is available for students, faculty and staff who would like fresh seasonal produce and herbs.
Our community garden operates as a part of the Toledo Grows network of over 100 community gardens in our area and is maintained by the Owens Connection mentor team.
Without the use of pesticides or dangerous chemicals, we can grow tomatoes, greens, herbs, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, blackberries, raspberries, several squash varieties and more. Please visit and help yourself to our seasonal veggies, fruits and herbs whenever seasonally appropriate.
The community garden is also a volunteer site and an outdoor learning lab/classroom for any interested student or faculty member.
The quiet, peaceful vibe in the garden can also be utilized for meditation, reflection, small meetings and for enjoying a lunch break.
To Donate Items
Donation Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Appointments preferred. Must present a valid Owens ID
Donate to the Toledo-area Campus Location:
College Hall 151 | Google map location | Building layout map (PDF)
We are always in need of the following items:
- Hygiene items (tampons, menstrual pads, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, soap, body wash, etc.)
- Cleaning supplies (disinfecting wipes, household cleaners, bleach, scrub brushes, etc.)
- Laundry detergent and stain removers
- Grab-and-go snacks and meals (ramen cups, mac and cheese, tuna/cracker packs, salty snacks and beverages)
Donations of clothing must be freshly laundered or dry-cleaned. Excess items will be donated to other partner agencies.
If you would like to host an event or donation drive to benefit the pantry, closet or FREE store, please email Community Connections.
Monetary donations can be directed to the Owens Community College Foundation. When providing a monetary gift, you can designate the Owens Harvest Project as the recipient.