Basic Needs

Peoria Unified School District will be offering a Summer Meal Program which will provide free breakfast and lunch for all children age 18 and younger. For adults aged 19 and older, breakfast can be purchased for $2.00 and lunch for $4.00. The Peoria Community Center will also be offering free snacks and dinner for all children 18 and younger. For adults, snacks are $1.00 and dinner is $4.00.

For summer meal dates, locations and times please visit the Peoria Unified Summer Meals page.

A New Leaf’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides low-to-moderate-income households in the Valley with entirely free tax preparation.

VITA is a volunteer-based program, with local accountants, financial experts, and others stepping up to help their community. By recruiting top-quality volunteers and requiring rigorous training, VITA provides top-tier service to the communities it serves.

Each year, the VITA program puts countless dollars back into the pockets of hard-working families and individuals. Offering such an important service to low-income households free of charge is critical, and A New Leaf is proud to invest in our community.

Please visit the VITA program website.

The MCCCD Foundation Emergency Funding for Fall 2023 opens on August 21, 2023. The funding application window will remain open until December 15, 2023, or until funds are exhausted.

Apply for funding.

The purpose of this fund is to assist currently enrolled Maricopa Community College students with a short-term, unforeseen financial hardship or immediate expense that may impact their academic success. 

Types of Expenses Covered (Emergency funding is not intended for tuition and fees)

• Required books
• Bus Pass
• Car repairs
• Transportation
• Food/Gas
• Personal Hygiene Supplies
• Baby Care Products
• School supplies
• Utilities
• Housing

Students may receive $300 through the emergency assistance fund. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To be eligible, students must:

• Complete and submit the online Emergency Assistance Fund Application.
• Be in good standing with the College (minimum 2.0 GPA)
• Be enrolled in a minimum of three credit hours at any Maricopa Community College
• Documentation associated with the emergency must be attached to the application
• Clock and credit hour students, as well as undocumented students, are eligible to apply as long as they meet the above eligibility requirements.

If the emergency student funding has been exhausted, Glendale Community College may have emergency funds available. Please apply for GCC Student Financial Assistance.

Please note that the GCC Student Financial Assistance fund provides short-term financial assistance to students who have demonstrated need. Students are eligible to receive funding one time.  

Please also visit the links below for additional resources:

• Basic Needs
• Financial Resources

The GCC Student Financial Assistance fund provides short-term financial assistance to students who have demonstrated need. Students are eligible to receive funding one time.  

Apply for GCC Student Financial Assistance

Please note: Submission of the application does not guarantee funding. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, as funds allow. 

• Additional Resources:
  • Food Pantry
  • Basic Needs
  • For Emergency Bookstore Scholarship - please contact the Student Life Office.
  • Students are also encouraged to complete a FAFSA application for the current academic year.

The COVID Relief Home Delivery Program through St. Mary's Food Bank expanded in October 2020 to help bring vital supplies to households unable to travel to and from their local food bank. There is no age requirement to participate in this program and all deliveries are made free of charge. However, interested households will need to self-certify that they meet our home delivery qualifications, certify they meet the USDA TEFAP income guidelines, and register for delivery each time.

They are currently delivering to clients in Maricopa County Monday-Friday, Yavapai County every Monday (registration starts now), and Pinal County every Wednesday. It can take anywhere between 7-10 days from the time a family registers for their delivery to the first available delivery date.

To sign up for a home delivery, please visit the St. Mary's Foodbank website. They also have Customer Service Representatives signing up interested clients on our Home Deliver Hotline at 602-344-4124. 

The City of Glendale CAP Office offers many services for those who may be experiencing difficulty in paying their utilities. Visit the CAP Office website and click on “Renters and Homeowners Online Application.” You will be asked to verify that the address for assistance is in Glendale. If the address is in Glendale the page will forward to a login page, where you will need to create an account to submit your application online. If you run into any issues, you can contact the CAP office at 623-930-2854.

If you feel that you are not getting proper nutrition consistently, or you are constantly worrying about money for food, it can have a negative effect on your performance in school. We want to help you be at your best.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a monthly nutrition program that provides funds for qualified individuals and families to purchase healthy food from local grocery stores, farmers’ markets, or online.

For assistance with applying for SNAP benefits, please contact:

          Maria Kay, SNAP Support Specialist

          snap@domail.maricopa.edu

          Visit the MCCCD SNAP landing page for more information.

Assurance Wireless is a federal Lifeline Assistance program. Lifeline is a government assistance program. The Assurance Wireless offer provides eligible low-income customers free monthly data, unlimited texting, and free monthly minutes. Plus a free phone.

Qualifications:

Enrollment is available to individuals who qualify based on federal or state-specific eligibility criteria. You may qualify if you are on certain public assistance programs, like Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

You can also qualify based on your household income. If you are unemployed, you can use your Unemployment Benefits Letter as proof of eligibility until 6/30/22.

Proof of Eligibility:

You must provide proof of program participation or proof of income.

One Account per Household:

The Lifeline Assistance program is available for only one wireless or wireline account per household. Separate households that live at the same address are eligible, including residents of homeless shelters and nursing homes. Residents with temporary addresses are also eligible.

Lifeline Program for Low-Income Consumers

How Lifeline Assistance works

Apply to the Federal Lifeline Assistance Program

Looking for ways to save money on gas, reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, get some additional exercise, make new friends, reduce pollution in the valley, lessen traffic congestion or score a front-row parking spot? We can help. Consider these alternative transportation modes.

Carpool

To apply for carpool parking at GCC, contact TRP site coordinator Stefanie Macias (stefanie.macias@gccaz.edu).

Valley Metro's ShareTheRide

Discover the simplicity of Valley Metro's ShareTheRide program for your daily commuting needs:

1. Visit the ShareTheRide platform.
2. Input your starting point and destination addresses.
3. Click "Let’s Go."
4. Explore displayed carpool and other commuting choices.
5. Sign up to access all commute options and proceed with your preferred selection.
6. ShareTheRide will automatically calculate your gas savings and pollution reduction based on your chosen commute.

Don't miss out on a chance to win gift cards each month! Remember to record your trips and consider logging telecommuting, online classes, and remote work under the "telecommuting" category.

Bus and Light Rail

Registered students with 6 credit hours or more who commute to campus at least twice a week using bus/light rail are eligible for a 50% bus pass discount. Transit subsidy forms are available at the Enrollment Center reception desk with a student ID or contact TRP site coordinator: nanette.espinocilla@gccaz.edu.

Learn about Valley Metro’s Reduced Fare Program and ADA Paratransit/Dial-a-Ride Service.

Metro bus route 90 runs east and west past the college on Olive Ave (Dunlap). Route 59 runs north and south on 59th Avenue.

Find bus and light rail schedules via the Trip Planner or download the New Valley Metro App. Learn about the Reduced Fare Program. For assistance, call Valley Metro Customer Service: 602-253-5000. TTY 602-251-2039. Email: csr@valleymetro.org

Bicycling and Walking

Cycling recommended gear list (.pdf).

Biking and walking routes are available in the mobile-friendly ADOT Bicycle User Map.

Be safe and know the Arizona Bike Laws.

Learn about Bicycle Parking on campus.

Showers and lockers are available on campus. Contact the Fitness Center for information.

Vanpool

Learn about the benefits of joining a vanpool.

Join a vanpool or create one. Call Valley Metro: 602-523-6062 or email: vanpool@valleymetro.org.

Park & Ride and Transit Center

Use the Valley Metro Park-and-Rides as part of your commute. Meet your carpool or vanpool partners there and ride together to your destination. All Valley Metro buses and light rail are equipped with bike racks.

WIC Arizona will be in the GCC Student Union, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on 

• November 8
• December 6

Stop by their table for more information. Find their flyers in the Downloads section below.