Life Help: Basic Needs Resources
We understand life can be unpredictable. Unexpected costs, needs and life challenges can cause stress and impact your academic success and wellbeing. Use the resources on this website to connect you to campus and community resources related to basic needs to help you overcome any barriers in your life that interfere with your academic success.
Food Resources
Swipe out Hunger
Sodexo, Swipe Out Hunger, and Minnesota State University, Mankato partner to find fight food insecurity by providing meals to establish a Meal Swipe Bank for use by food-insecure students. Students may apply for swipes by using the form on the Dining Service website. Once meal swipes are added to the applicant’s MavCARD, those meals can be used by swiping in at the University Dining Center.
Campus Cupboard
Located in the Crossroads Campus Ministry next to campus, it is a food shelf open to all college students. Enjoy Lunch For-A-Buck on Tuesdays. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
ECHO Food Shelf
The Emergency Community Help Organization (ECHO) provides emergency food assistance to people in Blue Earth County and North Mankato. ECHO Food Shelf is located in downtown Mankato; get there using the Route 7 Downtown Express.
Maverick Food Pantry
The Maverick Food Pantry is a Minnesota State University, Mankato initiative providing perishable and non-perishable food as well as toiletries for students who are in need.
Food for All
The Food For All program is funded by proceeds from the Neighborhood Thrift Store. Everyone is welcome to attend with no paperwork necessary. The program is held on the second Saturday of each month. The cost is $5 cash per family and you will need to bring a basket, box, or tote to carry your food. Visit their website or Facebook page for more up-to-date information.
SNAP Outreach
SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps Minnesotans with low incomes get the food they need for nutritious and well-balanced meals. SNAP is a federal program designed to make groceries more affordable for hungry families.
Second Harvest Heartland – a team of SNAP Outreach Specialists can help you navigate the SNAP screening and application process.
Hunger Solutions Minnesota – Hunger Solutions Minnesota works to end hunger in our state. Visit their website to find out if you may be eligible for SNAP and an estimated amount of benefits.
Health and Counseling Resources
988 Lifeline
It can be difficult to ask for help, particularly when in distress. It is hard to think clearly or rationally when your life seems overwhelming or hopeless. For some people, these feelings may lead to suicidal thoughts. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Call, text, or chat.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor, 24/7.
211 Basic Needs Resource Hub
Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Minnesota State have partnered with United Way 211 to establish a statewide basic needs resource hub. The basic needs resource hub provides Minnesota State University, Mankato students access to basic needs resources and support available on campus and in the community via phone, text, or chat 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Learn more about this new resource.
Campus Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides a range of help and services, from individual and group counseling to referrals. Services are free, comfortable, and confidential; the Counseling Center is here to help students navigate any difficulties going on personally, socially, or in school. It doesn’t have to be a crisis - no problem is too small, if it’s in the way come to the Center and explore the services we have to offer you. http://www.mnsu.edu/counseling/
Mantra Health
Mantra Health is virtual mental health care available for free to Minnesota State students 24/7, including crisis services. In order to use these services, create an account with Mantra Health by clicking here. Students have access to 12 free sessions per academic year.
Student Health Services
The Student Health Services Medical Clinic and Pharmacy remain open weekdays from 8am to 4:30pm Medical providers are available for both in-person and telehealth visits. These can be scheduled through the Patient Portal or by calling during business hours. For information about student medical care or connection to campus resources, contact Student Health Services at healthservices@mnsu.edu or 507-389-6276.
Quality and affordable health care is available to every student. An accredited on-site medical clinic with a full-service pharmacy, lab services, and health education are all part of Student Health Services. http://www.mnsu.edu/shs/
Parent Navigator
Provides pregnant or parenting students with information and referrals regarding support services and other resources available to students, including: medical and behavioral health coverage and services; public benefit programs, including programs related to food security, affordable housing, and housing subsidies; parenting and child resources; employment assistance; transportation assistance; and other resources that assist student parents. A parenting student is an enrolled student who is a parent or legal guardian of a child of any age. Contact Natalie Schuette in Student Health Services at natalie.schuette@mnsu.edu or 507-389-6203.
Parenting students are eligible for early registration. To request early registration access, please email registrar@mnsu.edu.
Open Door Health Center
Open Door Health Center continues to see patients. When you call for an appointment, they will screen for COVID-19 symptoms. They offer telemedicine but realize that not all of their patients have access to devices. If you need to come into the clinic, they screen for COVID-19 at the door. Open Door Health Center is a nonprofit community health center, providing quality affordable health care to everyone! https://odhc.org/
Financial Resources
Financial Aid Office
The Student Financial Aid office is committed to providing valuable information about financial aid programs and processes to ensure each student has access to the maximum available funds. The financial services specialists at the Campus Hub are available to answer questions and connect students with additional advising assistance if needed. https://mankato.mnsu.edu/university-life/campus-services/campushub/
Scholarships
Minnesota State University, Mankato is fortunate to have generous individuals who donate to scholarship funds. The purpose of the scholarships is to assist undergraduate students in meeting the cost of attendance at Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://mankato.mnsu.edu/university-life/campus-services/campushub/financial-aid/scholarships
Emergency Grant for Students
For many students, an unexpected car repair or a medical bill can mean the end of their college hopes. While typically not large expenses, they can be enough to put these students in a serious bind: stay in college or pay the bill. By quickly delivering small grants to students encountering unexpected expenses, Minnesota State University, Mankato helps more of these students stay in school and on track for degree completion. http://www.mnsu.edu/emergencygrant/
Blue Earth County Human Services / Social Services
The Human Services Department’s mission is to effectively and efficiently deliver essential services to families and individuals so they can achieve their potential through active community participation. https://www.blueearthcountymn.gov/99/Human-Services-Social-Services
Handshake
Use Handshake to look for jobs and internships, register for career events, schedule an appointment, and more! https://mavjobs.joinhandshake.com/login
Legal Services
Student Attorney
Students at Minnesota State University, Mankato have access to free legal advice. The Student Association provides a licensed practicing attorney through funding from student activity fees. Offering legal advice to individual students and researching legal issues for student body governance are the most important functions of the Student's Attorney. The Student's Attorney advises and informs students and special interest groups at Minnesota State Mankato on a part-time basis. https://www.mnsu.edu/mssa/services/student_attorney.html
Transportation Resources
Mankato Transit Services
Social distancing has been implemented on all city buses and additional efforts include daily sanitation and twice-a-week deep cleaning. View Mankato’s COVID-19 webpage for helpful information and resources about city service. https://www.mankatomn.gov/city-services-a-z/city-services-a-m/city-bus
Grocery Store Bus Routes
Discovering the various bus routes can be difficult at first. To make it easier, check out the grocery store bus route comparison for each of the Mankato grocery stores and ECHO Food Shelf from Julia Sears Residence Hall.
Donation Opportunities
Support College Students in Need
MavCares Emergency Grants
A MavCares Emergency Grant provides critical resources so students can stay in school even when their campus or other employment is not available. Your gift helps students afford housing, transportation, online learning resources, and more. With your support, we can help students facing emergencies right now. Donate to MavCares here.
Student Affairs Food Shelf Donation
Food insecurity is an issue for some of our college students and your gift to provide food for students who need this help is welcomed. Your donation will go directly to support a local food shelf that directly supports our students. On the Donation Page select More Giving Options and then Student Affairs Division. Donate to the Student Affairs Food Shelf here.
General Scholarship Fund
The need for scholarship support is greater than ever. At Minnesota State Mankato almost all scholarship support available to students comes from private support – from donors– the majority of whom are alumni. Would you make a gift to support a student this fall through the general scholarship fund? Donate to General Scholarships here.
Please direct any questions you may have to student-affairs@mnsu.edu or 507-389-2121. Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, David Jones is the contact for this website.
