UT Dallas Basic Needs Resource Center

Being a student can get expensive, but we’re here to help! Introducing Student Savings, a list of all the ways you can save money as a UT Dallas student. With 57 resources and counting, there's something for you, whether you want to save on everyday essentials, handle an unexpected expense, or access entertainment and other fun experiences on a budget. Here's just some of the useful resources on our list, brought to you by our amazing campus partners: – Temoc's Closet: Get free clothes, shoes, hygiene products, and more. – @utdallascometcardoffice : Get discounted tickets, 10% off select on-campus dining, and free notary services. – @cometcupboard : A free food pantry for all currently enrolled UT Dallas students. – @utdauxiliaryservices and DART: Get a free pass to ride DART buses, trains, and more. – @utdsg Comet Discount Program: Get discounts on hotels, childcare, restaurants, and more. Want even more ways to save? Visit utd.link/student-savings for the full list, or get there from our Linktree! --- Alt text: A graphic that reads "Student Savings: Did you know UT Dallas students can save money on food, clothes, transportation, and more?" The graphic lists five on-campus resources described in the caption of this post.

Bass School students are making a difference beyond the classroom. 👕 This spring, COMS 3340 organized Take it or Leave it — a donation drive with Temoc's Closet (@utdbasicneeds ) that collected over 900 lbs of clothing for @ut_dallas students. 📍 Temoc's Closet is open Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm. #UTDBass #UTDallas #UTDBassComms #UTDArts

Hi LLC! We have an exciting event for you Thursday, May 7th, 4-7PM in the Andromeda Hall Lobby. We're hosting our Spring Move-Out Clothing Swap! Drop off donations of gently used clothes, shoes and accessories, and swap clothes with fellow students to help us avoid textile waste on campus. This amazing program will be in collaboration with @utdbasicneeds and some of our partners with University Housing! ---- Alt text: rack of clothes on the bottom of the flyer Additional symbols at the top: Basic Needs Resource Center, Temoc's Closet, University Housing

We’re excited to recognize our April 2026 Volunteer of the Month... Brooke Cooley! Brooke has spent over 110 hours hosting volunteer opportunities in our office in partnership with the student organization @stitch_to_enrich_utd . She teaches students how to upcycle excess t-shirts from Temoc's Closet into beautiful crocheted tote bags for the @cometcupboard ! We asked Brooke a few questions: What is your favorite part of volunteering with us? -- “Getting the opportunity to make something useful out of what would become garbage!” [Editor's note: We recycle excess clothes so they don't become garbage, but the point still stands!] Tell us a fun fact about yourself! -- “I'm on level 9000 in Gardenscapes!” We appreciate you, Brooke! #clothesforcomets #UTD #UTDallas --- Alt text: A graphic recognizing Brooke Cooley as our volunteer of the month, including a photo of Brooke. All other information on the graphic is included in the above post description.

A big thank you to the COMM 3340 Team Dynamics class, led by Dr. Totusek in @utdbass , who organized a donation drive and 'Take It Or Leave It Day' event as part of their semester-long class project in supporting Temoc's Closet! Their donation drive raised 935 pounds of clothes to support the mission of Temoc's Closet in ensuring every Comet has the ability to dress comfortably and confidently for their academic and professional pursuits. Whoosh! -- Alt text: Two group pictures of UT Dallas students, staff, and faculty at an event. In the first picture, everyone is doing the "mini-whoosh."

Congratulations to our inaugural Volunteer of the Month, Matthew Rodriguez, on receiving the Community Service Award at this week's UT Dallas Student Leadership Awards! We are so proud of Matthew and so appreciative not only of the time he has spent supporting Temoc's Closet, but of the kindness and generosity of spirit he has brought into our office as a regular volunteer. Matthew is more than deserving of this award, and we know it is just one of many great things to come in his future! #clothesforcomets #UTD #UTDallas --- Alt text: A graphic that says "Congratulations to Temoc's Closet Volunteer Matthew Rodriguez." It includes a photo of Matthew's award, which says "UTD Student Leadership - Community Service Award - Matthew Rodriguez - 2025-2026." It also includes a photo of Matthew holding his award.

Join the Basic Needs Resource Center and ANIM3 UTD for a Stressbusters anime lounge! Thursday, April 30th from 3PM to 5PM in the BNRC, SSB 4.300. Join us for snacks, drinks, and anime! One episode of each of the following four anime will be shown: The Royal Tutor, Inuyasha, Hinamatsuri, and Ouran High School Host Club. -- Alt text: A graphic advertising an upcoming event hosted by the UT Dallas Basic Needs Resource Center. All information on the graphic is included in the above post description.

UPDATE: In anticipation of inclement weather conditions, this event has been moved indoors to its rain location of the SSA Atrium. Hope to see you there! Join Student Affairs Health & Wellness Initiatives for our Summer Send-Off! Stop by for free refreshments and enjoy some games and activities. Connect with on-campus resources and learn healthy self-care strategies before heading out for summer break! Friday, May 1st, 11AM-1PM at the SU Green. In the event of inclement weather, the rain location will be the SSA Atrium. -- Alt text: A graphic advertising an upcoming campus event at UT Dallas. All information on the graphic is included in the above post description.

As part of Earth Week, join the Office of Sustainability and the Basic Needs Resource Center for a discussion on sustainable fashion and a hands-on upcycling project: making reusable bags for the Comet Cupboard! Attendees will earn volunteer hours, verified through EngageUTD! Two workshop dates: Tuesday 4/21 from 9 to 11 AM, and Thursday 4/23 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. Both workshops are in SSA 12.471. Sign up from the Linktree in our bio (linktr.ee/utdbasicneeds). #clothesforcomets #UTD #UTDallas   —   Alt text: A graphic promoting two upcycling workshops hosted by the Office of Sustainability and the Basic Needs Resource Center. All information on the graphic is included in the post description.

THANK YOU for all the generous support for the BNRC last week for Comets Giving Days! Thanks to your support, we raised almost $2700 for the BNRC, almost $1100 for the Student Emergency Financial Assistance Program, and $155 for the Douglas Aundre Peterson Scholarship Fund! We won the Student Affairs leaderboard and received an additional $100 for reaching our unique donor goal, thanks to the generosity supporting Student Affairs teams. The Basic Needs Resource Center would not be able to function without the support of our Comet community – students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members. Together, all of us can support our fellow Comets in need. Whether your donation was in your name or anonymous, thank you for supporting us and our mission to serve UT Dallas students! --- Alt text: Graphics thanking donors to the Basic Needs Resource Center during Comets Giving Days, an annual period of giving at UT Dallas. The full list of names can be found on the Comets Giving Days webpage, givingday.utdallas.edu/bnrc. The thank you message on the fourth slide is included in the above post description.

Do you have t-shirts taking up too much space in your closet? Good news: We need them! Student volunteers are turning t-shirts into reusable tote bags for the Comet Cupboard @cometcupboard , the on-campus food pantry at UT Dallas. This means your shirt gets a second life, helping a fellow student carry their food home! To donate, bring a shirt to our office, located in SSB 4.300. We are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Or drop a shirt off in one of our donation bins! We have bins in the Student Union, Andromeda Hall, the Activity Center, and more. Visit utd.link/tc-donation-bins for the full list. We're hoping to collect these shirts as soon as possible in preparation for Earth Week. Thanks for doing your part to help our office and UT Dallas students! #UTD #UTDallas --- Alt text: A graphic promoting a t-shirt drive hosted by the Basic Needs Resource Center. All information on the graphic is included in the post description.

In celebration of Comets Giving Days, we wanted to highlight our student intern, Yugi. Thank you for all you do, Yugi! When asked about her time with the Basic Needs Resource Center, she had this to say:   "When I first transferred to UT Dallas in 2024, I heard about the great amenities the BNRC provides (including the message chair!) and became and on-and-off visitor. The center always felt welcoming and homey. The more I found out about the BNRC, the more I wanted to be a part of the working team to help out fellow students. I started off as a volunteer and applied to be a student assistant as soon as the job opportunity opened up. The experiences I've learnt working here at the BNRC are something I'll always carry on. The best part about working here is the team; everyone is so supportive and wants you to learn and grow!   Beyond the services we provide, there are many days when a student walks in distressed and we help reassure them that someone is there for them and is willing to help out. College isn’t supposed to be a one-man battle. I'm proud to be a part of a team that makes sure we are that supporting pillar for students!"   #COMETogetherUTD -- Alt text: A picture of student intern, Yugi, posing inside the Basic Needs Resource Center while holding a Comets Giving Days sign.