Basic Needs Resources
It’s hard to focus on our educational and future goals when we’re worried about our basic needs in life, like food or housing. This list is a starting point for getting students connected to on-campus and community resources that can help them get support for these essentials.
For All Basic Needs:
Indiana 211
https://in211.communityos.org/
Indiana 2-1-1 connects you with a variety of social services. Trained staff will answer your call 24/7 and assist you with the agency contact information that can best help you. If you are using a cell phone, call 1-866-211-9966 or text your ZIP Code to 898-211. If you are using a landline phone, simply dial 2-1-1.
*Hours for community resources are subject to change. Please contact the individual organizations for the most up to date information.
To Search for Nationwide Resources:
Concern Center Lite
https://butleruniversity.concerncenter.com
Concern Center Lite is designed to help you find virtual resources simply by indicating your concern. Select the category associated with your concern, search for your concern, or check out the alphabetical listing of concerns to find resources to help support you.
On Campus
Butler’s Food Pantry
Atherton Union 301
https://www.butler.edu/student-life/volunteer/butler-food-pantry/
The Butler Food Pantry is a free, confidential service for all Butler students. The Pantry is staffed by student members of the Office of Service and Community Engagement and provides nonperishable food packages for any Butler student in need of assistance.
Off Campus
St. Vincent de Paul-Indianapolis Food Pantries
Multiple Locations
317-924-5769
https://www.svdpindy.org/i-need-help/#need-food
Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Indianapolis hosts multiple food pantry locations in Indianapolis and is an international organization of people dedicated to offering person-to-person service to those who are in need, living on the margins, or experiencing homelessness.
Mid-North Food Pantry
3333 N. Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-924-7900
https://www.midnorthfoodpantry.org/
The Mid-North Food Pantry’s (MNFP’s) mission is to enhance the health of our mid-north neighborhoods by providing supplemental food and basic necessities for our neighbors in need.
Crooked Creek Food Pantry, Inc.
6940 N. Michigan Rd, Suite 160, Indianapolis, IN 46268
www.ccfpindy.org
Crooked Creek is a drive-thru food pantry working to eliminate hunger while building relationships to support the needs of families and persons it serves.
Gleaners Drive Thru Pantry
3737 Waldemere Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46241
317-925-0191
https://www.gleaners.org/
Gleaners distributes food to hungry Hoosiers through a network of nearly 300 partner agencies in 21 counties, including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.
Cathedral Kitchen
1347 North Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-634-4519
https://www.ssppc.org/cathedral-kitchen
The Cathedral Kitchen had its beginning during the Great Depression, when the cathedral parish handed out peanut butter sandwiches to those in need. Eventually these offerings grew to include coffee and donuts, and eventually a weekly dinner. Currently, the Cathedral Kitchen serves 3,200 meals and provides food pantry items to 1,080 clients each month.
Community Compass
https://www.indyhunger.org/compass/
Community Compass is a free, quick, and easy app designed to show you where you can find food assistance in Marion County.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/snap-food-assistance/about-snap/
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits, which are described on this page. SNAP income and resource limits are updated annually.
Indiana Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/2059
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is a nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children eat well and stay healthy. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Indiana and one of the following:
- Pregnant; or
- Breastfeeding (up to 1 year postpartum); or
- Non-Breastfeeding Postpartum (up to 6 months); or
- Infants; or
- A child under 5 years ol
On Campus
Blue’s Closet (Butler Thrift Store)
https://www.butler.edu/sustainability/campus-sustainability-initiatives/butler-thrift-store/
Butler Thrift allows our community to minimize our environmental impact by reducing clothing waste and new clothing demand. This student-led business will provide the Butler community with the opportunity to shop sustainably and affordably, right here on campus. Butler Thrift serves as a way for individuals to reduce their environmental impact and easily access inexpensive clothing by donating gently used clothing and shopping second-hand.
Off Campus
Good Will of Central & Southern Indiana
Multiple Locations
https://www.goodwillindy.org/shop/locations/
Goodwill Thrift Stores offer donated goods at affordable, reduced prices to anyone in need.
Dress For Success Indianapolis
820 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-940-3737
https://indydfs.org/style-for-success/
The Style for Success provides women with clothing for a job interview or new job. It doesn’t matter if they’re unemployed, underemployed, or changing jobs – if they need help with clothing, we can help!
On Campus
Office of Residence Life
Office of Residence Life
Atherton Union 303
317-940-9458
https://www.butler.edu/student-life/housing-dining/
The Office of Residence Life is responsible for promoting and maintaining an environment on campus where students are free to develop academically and socially. Developing a sense of personal and communal responsibility and respecting the rights of others also is an important part of this program. Residence Life staff members oversee the management of Butler’s three residence halls and two apartment-style options.
Butler University Terrace
317-940-6444
https://www.butlerartscenter.org/university-terrace-apartments/
University Terrace Apartments provide an affordable living experience for seniors and recent grads in one of Indianapolis’ most sought-after neighborhoods. Our apartments come with essential amenities, providing everything you need for a comfortable and convenient living experience, all at competitive rates.
Off Campus
Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention (CHIP)
1014 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN 46203
317-630-0853
https://www.chipindy.org/
Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention is the only organization in Indianapolis driving a system-wide, community response to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. Through leadership and collaboration, CHIP: Secures funding for housing and services; Manages and analyzes data collected by homeless providers; Advocates for policy change at the local and national levels; Supports community partners as we work together to end homelessness
Wheeler Mission
205 East New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Admin Office: 317-635-3575
https://wheelermission.org/our-work/mens-services/
Wheeler is a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, which provides critically needed goods and services to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and need in Central and South Central Indiana without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, or religion.
Gennesaret Health Recovery Homes
Men’s Health Recovery Home: 317-653-6041
Women’s Health Recovery Home: 317-536-2750
https://www.gennesaret.org/hrh/
Gennesaret Free Clinic’s Health Recovery Homes are transitional housing for men and women experiencing homelessness to live in after being discharged from the hospital. Here, they have a place to focus on their health and achieve personal goals in a safe, stable environment instead of trying to manage their physical health concerns while living in a shelter or on the street.
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program comprises the majority of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s Section 8 rental assistance programs. IHCDA administered vouchers help over 4,000 families pay their rent each month. Eligibility for the Housing Choice Voucher program is based on a family’s household income.
Indiana Housing Now
877-428-8844
https://www.indianahousingnow.org/
This is a free, state online resource for renters and property managers in Indiana. The dynamic search options allow you to find affordable, accessible and market-rate housing that will fit your needs.
Safe Park Indy
Safe Park Indy provides safe overnight parking, basic amenities and a connection to social services for the unhoused in Indianapolis living in their cars due to homelessness.
https://www.safeparkindy.org/
National Resource
Counseling Psychology has compiled a large list of resources designed to assist students experiencing homelessness. The list consists of: national organizations, wraparound services, online resources, housing resources, food resources, educational funding supports, and more.
https://www.counselingpsychology.org/homeless-college-resources
On Campus
Uber for Butler Students
Atherton Union 100
317-940-9361
https://butlersga.org/uber
To provide the student body with more options for seamless travel between campus and select locations, the Butler University Student Government Association is excited to relaunch its transportation partnership with Uber. With Uber, all full-time undergraduate students will be able to charge select rides directly to Student Government Association.
Take advantage of full transportation coverage to/from these area health services:
- Ascension St. Vincent Medical Campus
- Ascension Urgent Care
- Indiana Youth Group
- Julian Center
Have full transportation coverage to/from these health service providers due to a referral from one of the services above:
- Nora Urgent Care
- Athletico Physical Therapy
- Northwest Radiology
Utilize full transportation coverage to Indianapolis transportation centers during the 3 days before and 3 days after scheduled holiday breaks:
- Indianapolis International Airport
- Julia M. Carson Bus Transit Center
Enjoy discounted trips to the IUPUI campus for classes through the Consortium for Urban Education, Engineering Dual Degree Program, and ROTC programs. Students will receive $5.00 off per ride between the hours of 7:30am and 9:30pm.
Take advantage of discounted trip coverage to several area groceries. Students will receive $5.00 off their ride. Limited to 2 trips per month.
- Target – Glendale
- Saraga International Grocery
Off Campus
IndyGo Bus System
317-635-3344
How to Ride: https://www.indygo.net/how-to-ride/
Bus Fares and Passes: https://www.indygo.net/fares-and-passes/
IndyGo is the largest transit agency in Indiana! With 30 routes to choose from, IndyGo can help you reach your destination easily and affordably!
On Campus
Free Microsoft 365 ProPlus
https://butleru.my.site.com/askbutler/s/article/Email-Microsoft-365-Exchange-Article-Index
Microsoft 365 (previously known as Office 365) ProPlus apps are available for current students, faculty, staff, and Affiliates who qualify for a Butler technology account to download for personal use at no cost.
Laptop Loaner Program
The Student Success Center, in collaboration with the Financial Aid Office and the IT Department, has available a limited number of loaner laptops for eligible students. These loaner laptops are able to be checked out for up to a full semester.
Off Campus
Central Indiana Child Care Answers
https://childcareanswers.org/
Child Care Answers offers free support and information on quality child care and development in the Marion, Hamilton, and Hendricks counties.
Head Start, Family and Social Services Administration
https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/head-start-and-early-head-start/
Early Head Start programs serve infants, toddlers and pregnant women and their families who have incomes below the federal poverty level. Early Head Start programs were established in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to a child’s growth and development.