OCStudent Affairs: Funding & Resources

The Resource Center (formerly SING- Students in Need Group) & Basic Needs

The Resource Center offers hope and help and partners with students to find answers to their situational distress. Many students face multiple barriers that may hinder their college aspirations. Pressures mount as students struggle to keep their academic dreams alive along with family life, financial constraints, physical and mental health, and housing issues. The final straw may be as simple as an empty tank of gas with no way to get to school; as a result, students may spiral down to the point of abandoning their educational goals.

The Resource Center is committed to help build a culture of completion one student at a time. Each student that succeeds at college has the potential to create multiple, life-changing events for future generations. The Resource Center works at finding the resources, financial support, information, and solutions to help surmount the obstacles in our student’s lives.

The program is located in Building 4, the Humanities and Students Services building (HSS), room 104. Please see the Resource Center page of the OC website for available hours and contact information.

If you know a student who is struggling, there are options at your disposal. Call or visit the Resource Center today. Brochures and business cards are available upon request. Working together, it is possible to help solve college attrition by helping students succeed.

Opportunity Grant

HSS 207, 360-475-6817

8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday 8:00am – 12:00pm

The Opportunity Grant is a state funded grant offering financial assistance. Eligible students pursuing approved technical degrees may receive funds to cover up to 45 credits and up to $1,000 per academic year for books and supplies. The goal is to help low-income adults reach their educational goals. This program has a wait list of 9 – 12 months.

Please visit Paying for College - Opportunity Grants tLinks to an external site.o learn of program eligibility, approved degrees, and the application process.

Passport Program, Foster Youth, and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

HSS Rm 104, 360-475-6817

8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday

The Passport Program offers help for former foster care youth at Olympic College. Through advocacy and financial support the Passport Program provides a supportive structure for qualifying students. Stop by to determine eligibility!

For more information, please visit the OC webpage: Passport Program - Foster Youth.

Food Pantry, Food Insecurity, Food Services

The Sheryl McKinley Food Pantry strives to provide nutritional food resources, hygiene products and other resources to the students of Olympic College. The food pantry is open year-round and available at all three campuses to all students while school is in session.

Access the Sheryl McKinley Food Pantry on all three campuses by completing a short form with your requested items. In addition, the Bremerton campus food pantry is open on a walk-in basis during hours posted below. For more information, contact the Food Pantry coordinator.

Food Pantry Locations

Bremerton Campus: Bldg. 10, Rm. 122; open 9 am to 4 pm, Mon-Thu; 9 am to 2 pm, Fri.
Poulsbo Campus: Bldg. P1, Rm. 11
Shelton Campus: Bldg. Rm. S1
What to Bring and What to Know
- The Food Pantry is available to current Olympic College students. You'll be asked to show your Student ID Card with the current quarter sticker.
- Students may receive up to two plastic bags of food per visit.
- Students may visit the Food Pantry two times per calendar month. Exceptions may be allowed on a case to case basis if there are extenuating circumstances.

If you can't make it to OC's Food Pantry, here is a list of area food banks. You must use the food bank in the area where you live with the exception of Bremerton Foodline.

Bainbridge Island Helpline House
206-842-7621
282 Knechtel Way NE, Bainbridge Island

Bremerton Foodline
360-479-6188
1600 12th street, Bremerton

Central Kitsap Food Bank
360-692-9818
3537 NW Anderson Hill Road, Silverdale

Community Food Pantry of Belfair
971-813-4027
71 Old Belfair Hwy NE, Belfair

Free Meals in Kitsap County
For an updated list please email SING@olympic.edu

Hood Canal Food Bank/Hoodsport
360-877.6507
331 North Finch Creek Rd - Hoodsport

Kitsap Heal; healthy eating and active living

Life Care Community Food Bank
360-876-5094
8730 Phillips Road SE, Port Orchard

North Kitsap Fishline Food Bank
360-779-5190
19705 Viking Ave NW, Poulsbo

North Mason Food Bank
360-275-4615
NW 22471 Hwy 3, Belfair

Olympic College Sheryl McKinley Food Pantry
sgoc@olympic.edu

Sharenet Food Bank – Hansville
360-297-2266
26061 United Road NE – Kingston

South Kitsap Helpline
360-876-4089
1012 Mitchell Avenue, Port Orchard

St. Vincent de Paul
360-479-7017
1137 N. Callow Ave, Bremerton
Assistance Office: 1137 North Callow Ave, Bremerton
360-377-2929

Supplemental Basic Food (EBT) Assistance
The Washington state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Basic Food assistance program provides monthly benefits to people with low incomes to help them buy food. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, emergency supplemental funding may be available to increase your benefits. For more information, visit the website, which includes translations in Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Laotian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

The Saints’ Pantry Food Bank/Shelton
360-427-8847
214 S Second St.

Thurston County Food Bank/Olympia
360-352-8597
220 Thurston Ave NE

Washington Connection
Apply for food benefits

Childcare & Student Parent Supports

Childcare - Sophia Bremer Early Learning Academy
The Sophia Bremer Early Learning Academy is dedicated to empowering both families and students by fostering respectful relationships and offering comprehensive support to young children, their families, and future educators. Our center provides high-quality childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, utilizing researched-based Creative Curriculum to create an enriching environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of each child. With a focus on affordability for student parents, we ensure that essential needs, such as diapers, meals, and snacks, are provided at no additional cost. We invite faculty and staff to recommend this valuable resource to any student or colleague seeking dependable and nurturing childcare services.

Director of Childcare and Student Parent Programs
We are proud to announce that Pranvera "Vera" Druschke, who oversees the operations of the Sophia Bremer Early Learning Academy, is also serving as the Director of Student Parent Achievement and Resource Center (SPARC). In this dual role, she is a vital resource for supporting student parents at Olympic College, offering guidance and advocacy to help them navigate the challenges of balancing academic and parenting responsibilities. Faculty members are encouraged to refer students to her for assistance with childcare, as well as for access to a broader range of resources and support services tailored to the unique needs of student parents. Her commitment to the well-being of both children and parents makes her an essential partner in our collective efforts to create a supportive and inclusive campus community.