Mutual Aid Center

The Mutual Aid Center at Seattle University's College of Arts and Sciences, located within the Casey Building, provides essential resources to Arts and Sciences students who may be facing food insecurity and other basic needs challenges. By offering food, school supplies, and other household and hygiene items in a confidential, shame-free environment, we support students’ holistic well-being and academic success by reducing barriers in accessing these essential resources.   

The Mutual Aid Center is just one resource that connects to the larger ecosystem of Seattle University’s resources that are available to every student, such as the Office for Wellness and Health Promotion's Wellness Café and Food Pantry and their other wellness-centered initiatives.

We ensure that students are receiving the support they need as a member of the College of Arts and Sciences, supplementing your ability to access and connect to the resources offered with Student and Campus Life. We strive to center student feedback, ongoing engagement, and strategic partnerships so this initiative can improve the quality of life for students in the College of Arts and Sciences as they continue their educational journey with us.  

The Mutual Aid Center is located in Casey 130-03, a centralized location where Academic Advisors can direct students with access needs to this office, where the Assistant Dean and Student Assistant for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice will be present to support. The Center is open to all students enrolled in a major/minor program in the College of Arts and Sciences who are facing food insecurity or other basic needs challenges. 

Food Pantry: The Mutual Aid Center offers a rotating selection of non-perishable items such as canned goods, rice, pasta, and granola bars, as well as perishable items when available (e.g., fruits and vegetables).   

Household and Hygiene Items: The Mutual Aid Center offers basic household items such as soap and laundry detergent, and hygiene products such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, menstrual hygiene products, and more.  

School Supplies: The Mutual Aid Center offers basic school supplies such as notebooks and writing utensils. 

Confidentiality and Accessibility: All resources are made available in a way that preserves student dignity and ensures access without fear of judgment. Students sign in at the front desk and are encouraged to take what they need.   

The Mutual Aid Center is not designed to provide long-term support for students, so in the event that a student needs a deeper level of support, Mutual Aid Center staff will help connect the student to other available resources offered by the Student and Campus Life Division, such as through the Office of the Dean of Students. 

If you are an alum, active community member, or potential donor who is looking for a way to share your resources and support current and future Redhawks, there are many ways for you to support our Mutual Aid Center.
   
You can donate non-perishable food items, new household goods, new school supplies, and new hygiene products. Contact Darozyl Touch touchd@seattleu.edu to coordinate a drop-off/pickup.  

You can also make a financial contribution:

• Visit Seattle University Giving
• Select "I want to support 'College of Arts & Sciences Dean's Fund'" 
• In the comments, write "Mutual Aid Center" 

You can collaborate with us to start a food/household and hygiene product/school supplies drive through your business, organization, or workplace, and you can continually share this information with your networks to help us gather donations, all year round.