During winter break, the UC Santa Cruz campus is comparable to a ghost town.

Yet, the students who stay in Santa Cruz are still living life normally. Especially in a time where the federal administration continues to dismantle national basic needs initiatives, students are susceptible to losing these resources. When vital on-campus resources close during this time, it can leave those in need without a place to go.

Whether you are staying in Santa Cruz by choice, or because your finances don’t allow you otherwise, City on a Hill Press has compiled a list of resources for you to utilize during the break, as well as information regarding various resources that will be closed. 

And if you won’t be in Santa Cruz this winter break, don’t forget that a number of these resources are available to you year-round.

On-Campus

Health Care

The front entrance to the Cowell Student Health Center seen from McLaughlin Drive. Photo by Reggie Sasaki.

  • Cowell Student Health Center:* Offers a variety of medical services including general check-ups, immunizations, a pharmacy and more. Between Dec. 22 to Jan. 4, the Cowell Student Health Center recommends using the Nurse Advice Line listed on their website for non-emergency situations. 
  • They also recommend looking into off-campus clinics or pharmacies for other needs, or to call 911 in the case of an emergency. A few of these resources are listed in the off-campus section of this guide. 
  • Address: 525 McLaughlin Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 
  • Phone number: (831) 459-2211
  • Nurse Advice Line: (831) 459-2591
  • Email for General Questions: healthcenter@ucsc.edu

* Between Dec. 22 to Jan. 2, the Cowell Student Health Center and all UCSC Student Health Center other related resources will be closed.

The front entrance to Student, Health, Outreach & Promotion seen from the left bridge entrance to Porter Building B.

  • Student, Health, Outreach & Promotion (SHOP): SHOP provides a variety of services concerning harm reduction, sexual health and general well-being. SHOP is closed from Dec. 22 to Jan. 4, but you can still get free health care supplies at one of the three Healthcare kiosks on campus.
  • Address: 409 Porter-Kresge Rd. Santa Cruz, CA 95064
  • Phone Number: (831) 459-4459
  • Email for General Questions: shop@ucsc.edu

The front entrance to the Center for Advocacy, Resources and Empowerment (CARE) which is connected to Hahn Student Services. 

  • Center for Advocacy, Resources and Empowerment (CARE): Offers support resources for individuals seeking a confidential space to discuss interpersonal issues regarding domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. CARE will be closed from Dec. 22 to Jan. 4. 
  • Address: Hahn Student Services 400 Hahn Rd. Suite 104 Santa Cruz, CA 95064
  • Phone Number: (831) 502-2273
  • Email: care@ucsc.edu

Food

On-campus dining halls will be closed from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1. Other basic needs stores such as Porter Market, Merrill Market and Slug Stop will be closed until Jan 4. 

On Dec. 12, dining hall locations and basic needs stores on campus will be on an adjusted schedule. Following Jan. 2, each dining hall will be functioning and open on their own respective schedules as outlined on the UCSC Dining Services Website. 

The front entrance of the Lionel Cantú Queer Center is located behind Merrill College, across from the KZSC Broadcasting Station.

  • Lionel Cantú Queer Center Food Pantry:  The Lionel Cantú Queer Center offers a number of resources relative to health and well-being, alongside an indoor and outdoor free food pantry. The indoor food pantry will be open until Dec. 19. They plan to update the availability of their outdoor food pantry during winter break through their Instagram.
  • The outdoor pantry is currently closed and will reopen come winter quarter.
  • Address: 633 Crown Rd. Santa Cruz, CA 95064
  • Email: queer@ucsc.edu
  • Instagram: @cantuqueercenter

Housing and Other Basic Needs

  • Slug Support: Slug Support serves as the primary on-campus resource for housing support. They offer consultation services for students who need housing or access to basic needs during winter curtailment. They currently only accept non-emergency cases through an intake form, which can take up to 3-5 business days for processing. If you need emergency housing or assistance, you can reach out to the Basic Needs Crisis Line below. 
  • Email: deanofstudents@ucsc.edu
  • Phone Number: (831) 459-4446

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  • Basic Needs Crisis Line: The Basic Needs Crisis Line is an extension of Slug Support that is available for students experiencing a housing crisis or basic needs crisis and are in need of immediate support. They are accessible only by phone until Dec. 19 and are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Phone Number: (831) 459-7003

Mental Health

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), will be closed from Dec. 22 to Jan 4. Online services will still be available. 

  • 24/7 Crisis Support at CAPS: The crisis line offers support for students suffering distressing situations. You can call the line and select option “3” to speak with an on-call crisis counselor.
  • Phone Number: (831) 459-2628

Off-Campus

Food

Accessible food resources available off-campus include food pantries, food banks, and other donation-based initiatives. If you want a more fleshed out list of locations and hours, access this link and adjust the filters — we recommend calling locations ahead of time if possible, to ensure their hours are still consistent with what’s listed. 

Below are a few more local options, some of which are more accessible by bus or car. 

The photo depicts the entrance to the Holy Cross Food Pantry which is located to the left of the main entrance to the Holy Cross Catholic Church on High Street.

  • Holy Cross Food Pantry:  They offer a free food pantry every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays from 8-11 a.m. on location. No proof of residency necessary, everyone is welcome!
  • Address:  210 High St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Phone Number for Food Pantry Services: (831) 469-0631

Depicted in the photo is the front entrance to the Santa Cruz Bible Church services which is located at 440 Frederick St.

  •  Santa Cruz Bible Church: They offer a free food pantry every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and every Thursday from 12-1 p.m. The only information required is a name and a zip code. A post with further information is available on their instagram. 
  • Address:  440 Frederick St. Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Instagram: @scbible
  • Phone Number: (831) 429-1162      
  • Email: info@santacruzbible.org

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  • Nueva Vista Community Resources: This resource offers a food distribution pantry in partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank. No proof of residency is required. Food distribution is every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month and occurs from 2:30-5 p.m.
  • Address: 711 East Cliff Dr. Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Phone Number: (831) 423-5747
  • Email:  info@cbridges.org

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  • Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos: Among many of this nonprofit organizations’ community programs is a food pantry, which offers produce, dairy and other nutritious foods to community members every Friday and Saturday starting at 11:45 am. Since hours vary, it is best to call ahead before visiting.
  • Address: 1817 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Instagram: @santa_cruz_barrios_unidos
  • Phone Number: (831) 457-8208
  • Email: info@scbarriosunidos.org

Housing and other Basic Needs

  • United Way 211 | Santa Cruz: Offers a number of support services in acquiring emergency housing as well as relocation assistance for individuals searching for interim housing shelters. United Way 211 recommends calling the number listed below for more specific consultation services and information about available resources on a case by case basis. Their primary on-site office is located in Capitola, and is open for walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  
  • Address in Capitola: 4450 Capitola Rd. Suite 106, Capitola, CA 95010
  • Local Phone Number: (831) 479-5466
  • Email: 211scc@unitedwaysc.org

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Healthcare

The Cowell Student Health Center has a list of recommended health care services listed at the bottom of their After-Hours Care webpage as well as on their Basic Needs webpage. A couple of those resources are listed below. 

Depicted in the photo is the front entrance of the Dominican Hospital Emergency Room, located on 1555 Soquel Dr.

  • Dominican Hospital Emergency Room: A hospital that is open 24/7 with an accessible Emergency Room. This location is recommended by the Cowell Student Health Center for students to go to, if the health center is not accessible. 
  • Address: 1555 Soquel Dr. Santa Cruz, CA 95065
  • Phone Number: (831) 462-7700

The entrance to the Walnut Avenue Family and Women’s Center, located at 303 Walnut Ave..

  • Walnut Avenue Family and Women’s Center:  They offer a number of services including, but not limited to, a housing and employment program,a food pantry and family support services. This center also has a 24/7 crisis response through their domestic violence hotline. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. 
  • Address: 303 Walnut Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Phone Number: (831) 426-3062
  • Domestic Violence Hotline: (866) 269-2559
  • Email: info@wafwc.org