In the Fall of 2022, the REEF Support Center opened the Community Resource Room (CRR) at Simmons, the first dedicated space for on-campus students to provide non-perishable food and basic need items. This resource was made possible due to the vision and partnership of current students, staff, and faculty. By establishing the CRR, we hope to alleviate barriers to accessing food, celebrate community through food, and support students in fully participating in campus life.
Food sustains us, keeps us whole, heals us, and connects us. Thank you for supporting the CRR by placing an order, reading this webpage, and sharing this resource with your circles.
What is the Community Resource Room (CRR) at Simmons?
Opening in the Fall of 2022, The Community Resource Room is a community-centered resource within the REEF Support Center (A-075 C) that strives to provide accessible and sustainable food/household products for free distribution. Much like a food pantry, students can access shelf-stable food items, hygiene products, and school supplies at no additional cost.
A full list of what is available can be found by accessing our CRR Online Order Form, which updates throughout the semester.
How can I get started?
Step 1: Each student who utilizes the CRR is asked to also complete the Community Resource Room Registration Form before placing their first order
Step 2: Place your first order by using the CRR Monthly Online Order Form.
Step 3: Pick up your order via contactless pick up at Main College Building A-075 hallway across from the Simmons University Bookstore. Within 48 hours, you will receive an email (with your order number) for pick up, except orders placed during weekends or holidays.
What am I eligible to access?
The CRR strives to be an accessible resource that prioritizes students who are facing challenges in accessing consistent food sources. Eligibility guidelines are adjusted as we learn more about our gaps and successes. Please find the 2025-2026 eligibility guiidlines below:
Commuter Students:
- Each commuter student is eligible for 1 CRR order per month, starting on the 1st day of each month.
- Commuter Students can access 30 Coral Bucks (our point system) per month, with access to all CRR offerings.
Residential Students:
- Each residential student is eligible for 1 CRR order per semester, with access to hygiene products, period products, school supplies, and monthly specials.
- Please note that if you are a residential student with a meal plan, you are not eligible for food items, as your meal plan covers 3 meals per day.
- Coral Bucks (our point system) are not related to your Simmons Dining meal plan and should be accessed separately.
Finals Week Specials (For Winter and Summer Breaks):
- All students are eligible to place a Finals Week Special Order before winter and summer breaks. Promotion for Finals Week Orders will be on CampusConnect and the REEF Support Center Instagram @simmonsreef. All students can access 30 Coral Bucks for any available product during the week of finals.
Community Resource Room FAQ
- Why are residential students unable to order non-perishable food products in their orders?
Since our initial opening, we have been dedicated to providing resources for all Simmons students. Moving forward, we want to do a better job at prioritizing food resources for our commuter students and students without meal plans. If you are a residential student with a meal plan and are struggling to access food, please reach out to the REEF or Simmons Dining so that we can brainstorm more sustainable food resources with you. Remember, all students can access an extra order during the finals week before winter and summer break! Additionally, we still welcome all students to access school, period products, hygiene supplies, and monthly specials.
- Who can access the CRR?
Short answer: The CRR is for anyone who eats!The Community Resource Room can be accessed by on-campus undergraduate and graduate students through our CRR Online Order Form. This includes international students, as well as both residential and commuter students. We hope to expand this resource to our greater Simmons community over time. Utilizing the Community Resource Room will not impact your access to other supports on/off campus, or impact your immigration status.
- What are “Coral Bucks”?
“Coral Bucks” is the point system that the Community Resource Room uses to ensure that our resources are accessed as equitably as possible. Coral Bucks are free “points” that determine how many items each student is eligible for based on how long an item may last. For example, a snack item may be 1 Coral Buck and a jar of peanut butter may be 3 Coral Bucks.
- What are the CRR hours?
The REEF Support Center is staffed M-F 8:30-4:30pm during the Fall and Spring semesters. Resource Advocates, the team that staffs the Community Resource Room are available Mon,Wed, Thurs, Fri, 11-4pm, and Tuesda,y 11-2 PM in the space. Contactless pick-up is available at any time once you receive a notification that your order is ready. The CRR is closed from May Graduation-September 1.
- Why are students limited to 1 order per month?
We hope to provide an opportunity for students to access the CRR multiple times per month. At this time, students are eligible to place one order per month. We will adjust this as technology and budget allow.
- Why do I need to fill out two forms to access the CRR?
The information collected from our CRR Registration Form helps us accurately meet the needs/wants of our community, as well as assess where additional support can be implemented. The demographics collected in this form will be kept private from fellow students/departments and will be reported only in aggregate (group) form for reporting and advocacy purposes. You will never be identified individually. Collecting this data will aid us in telling a powerful story about our community and further emphasize the importance of sustaining food resources. The CRR Online Order Form is our routine process for receiving your order.
- How many CRR items is each student eligible for per month?
Our point system is a tool borrowed from our friends at Bunker Hill Community College’s DISH Food Pantry.
Students can monitor their orders based on the point value of each item. Each food item will have a designated # of Coral Bucks listed on our order form. The point value will be determined by how often the item is requested and not the nutritional value or unit price of the item. Items such as laundry detergent may be limited to 1 per order to assure that we have a selection for all students.
- When will my items be ready, and where should I pick them up?
We offer contactless pickup. Once you have placed your CRR order, your items will typically be available for pickup within 48 business hours. You will receive an email notification when your order is ready. *No ID or proof is needed to pick up your orders.
- What if I need to access food immediately and can not wait 48 hours or what if I have already picked up my order for the month?
If you have already made an order for the month and you are in need of additional food, please contact [email protected] to get connected to additional food supports, including those through the City of Boston. You can also visit the REEF Support Center Food Access website.
- How will items be bagged?
All items will be packaged in donated reusable bags or large paper bags. If you have a heavier order with many canned items, let us know in your order form if you would prefer that we pack your order using more bags for easy transportation.
- How were the items offered in the CRR selected?
When we first opened in Fall 2022, 294 community survey responses and two “Food and Feedback Sessions” helped inform what our Community Resource Room would look like! Our Community Resource Kick-Off Committee was comprised of students, faculty, and staff. Our volunteer committee met throughout the semester to provide feedback, brainstorm ideas, and critically think about what accessible food access at Simmons looks like.
The feedback collected in every order form directly determines the items we offer. We review our item selection on a yearly basis based on the feedback of our users.
You may notice that there are items you want and have given feedback on, but you have not seen them on the order form. The CRR is sometimes limited by brand choices, product size, shipping options, and, of course, budget. We strive to prioritize dietary practices and fun items while still utilizing our budget diligently to provide as many resources as possible. If you want to meet with our team and learn more or have an idea to make the CRR even better, email us at [email protected]!
- How can I get involved?
Our Amazon Wish List:
We are always looking for donations. You can donate items from our Amazon Wish-List or schedule to drop them off in person by emailing [email protected]. Our wishlist is determined by what items are most in demand and what products are currently offered in our order form. If your donation is outside of typical staple offerings, email us! We will gladly take any items in quantities of 50-100+ or more to offer as a special.
Volunteer with your club, organization, or department! You could:
- Assemble and donate care packages for occasions like Back to School, Finals, or Heritage Months
- Promote your organization or department by sponsoring a product for the month! This is a great opportunity to help us source locally owned, BIPOC-owned, and LGBTQ+-owned brands.
- Sponsor/design a recipe or cooking tips to include in CRR orders
- Advertise your event or resource by sharing your flyers or department branded items as our monthly special.
- Have a dentist appointment? Drop off your new toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss to share with a community member and help us stay stocked
- Have unused office supplies? Donate items for our students to access for school.
- Share information about the CRR with your friends through social media, word of mouth, or by placing an order together!
- Add the CRR to your meeting agenda or email [email protected] to invite one of our team members to present about this resource.
What items are most helping to donate?
- Canned black beans
- Canned garbanzo beans/chickpeas
- Canned Corn
- Canned Peas
- Canned green beans
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Tomato Soup
- Pasta (GF also)
- Mac and cheese (GF also)
- Canned Tuna or chicken
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly/Jam
- Tomato/Pasta Sauce
- Oatmeal (GF also)
- Granola Bars (GF also)
- New winter gloves and hats
Questions?
For questions specific to your order, email [email protected]. All other related questions can be emailed to [email protected].