UTD Basic Needs

We’re excited to recognize our September 2026 Volunteer of the Month...

David Blackwell!

David has spent over 74 hours sorting donations for Move-In Market, restocking and maintaining Temoc’s Closet, and upcycling t-shirts into tote bags so students always have their basic needs met. We asked David a few questions:

What is your favorite part of volunteering with us?

"I really appreciate how kind everyone at the BNRC is. The atmosphere always feels very welcoming. The service provided by the BNRC is something I appreciate and recognize as incredibly valuable to have as a student, and it has been rewarding to be able to help out with anything and everything."

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

"I was involved with Scouts BSA for practically my whole life, and I reached the rank of Eagle Scout.”

We appreciate you, David!

*****

[ID: A graphic recognizing David Blackwell as our volunteer of the month, including a photo of David. All other information on the graphic is included in the above post description.]

NEXT WEDNESDAY! Join us for free haircuts and a pop-up of free clothes from Temoc's Closet. Open to all students! First-come, first-served. In partnership with Modern Image Institute. Wednesday, 9/30 10AM - 2PM @ Student Union First Floor.

Please note: haircuts are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who arrive to the event are not guaranteed a haircut. Duration of haircuts can vary.
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Alt text: A graphic advertising an upcoming event hosted by the Basic Needs Resource Center. All event information is included in the above post description.

This year's North Texas Giving Day culminates on Thursday, September 17th, 2026. Consider supporting the UT Dallas Basic Needs Resource Center and the Student Emergency Financial Assistance Program! Donate through September 17th on NorthTexasGivingDay.org. Links in our bio!
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The UT Dallas Basic Needs Resource Center (BNRC) is a campus resource center aimed at addressing the basic needs of all UT Dallas students, ensuring they have access to necessary resources to succeed academically and personally. Your contribution supports our mission to ensure that every UT Dallas student has their basic needs met!

The Student Emergency Financial Assistance Program, also known as the Student Emergency Fund, operated by the BNRC, supports undergrad and grad students who are experiencing financial hardship due to an emergency, accident, illness, or other unanticipated life event. Awards from the Student Emergency Fund are not required to be repaid. Last academic year, over 85 Comets were awarded emergency funds to assist them in continuing their academic journeys!

Your support ensures we can provide quality programs and services, and helps keep our shelves full of clothes, menstrual products, and school supplies for students!

WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR WORK:
- VISIT NorthTexasGivingDay.org
- SEARCH UT Dallas Basic Needs Resource Center OR Student Emergency Financial Assistance Program
- COMPLETE your donation through September 17th.

We also accept in-kind donations of clothing, shoes, and accessories year-round and accept direct donations via our Amazon Lists. For more info visit: utd.link/BNRC-donate


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Alt text: A five-slide graphic promoting the UT Dallas Basic Needs Resource Center's participation in North Texas Giving Day. All text on the graphics are included in the above post description. Pictures of staff members, BNRC events, and Temoc’s Closet are found throughout the graphics, especially the first and fourth slides. At time of posting, the full details for the North Texas Giving Day listings can be found through a link in this account’s bio.

THIS THURSDAY! Join us for free haircuts and a pop-up of free clothes from Temoc's Closet. Open to all students! First-come, first-served. In partnership with Modern Image Institute. Thursday, 9/17 10AM - 2PM @ SU First Floor.

Please note: haircuts are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who arrive to the event are not guaranteed a haircut. Duration of haircuts can vary.
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Alt text: A graphic advertising an upcoming event hosted by the Basic Needs Resource Center. All event information is included in the above post description.

Join the Basic Needs Resource Center and the Student Success Center for our skills for success workshop series, Comet Connections! These workshops are drop-in and will be hosted in the BNRC, SSB 4.300. We hope you'll join us!
- Wednesday 09/16 1PM-2PM: Semester Planning. This workshop will focus on skill-building around planning for a successful semester.
- Wednesday 10/07: Faculty & Staff Communication. This workshop will focus on skill-building around effectively communicating with faculty and staff.
- Wednesday 11/11 1PM-2PM: Test-taking Strategies. This workshop will focus on skill-building around test-taking strategies.

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Alt text: A graphic advertising a workshop series hosted by the Basic Needs Resource Center. All information on the graphic is included in the above post description.

We’re excited to recognize our summer Volunteers of the Month...

Cathy Nguyen, Tram Dau, and Bijayini Dash!

These three volunteers have spent over 180 hours combined on restocking and maintaining Temoc’s Closet so students always have clothes to wear. We asked them a few questions:

*****

What is your favorite part of volunteering with us?

Cathy: "My favorite part will always be the chill atmosphere and the lovely people at the BNRC. I was actually nervous about my first shift here, but everyone is very welcoming and sweet."

Tram: "Helping organize and restock Temoc’s Closet so everything is neat and ready for students. I really enjoy meeting new people, making a positive impact, and being able to help the community."

Bijayini: “The people. From my very first shift, everyone made me feel welcomed, appreciated, and included. The staff and fellow volunteers have always been so friendly, patient, and kind, and I've really enjoyed getting to know everyone. It's such a positive environment, and that's what keeps me coming back. I also loved admiring all of the clothes and accessories we sorted and seeing everything perfectly organized in the closet.”

*****

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

Cathy: “I've been slowly getting better at winning plushies from claw machines. My most recent win was a pink rabbit keychain reminiscent of a certain boy band group.”

Tram: “I love trying different foods, especially Vietnamese food, and I can never say no to banh mi!”

Bijayini: “I enjoy creating botanical watercolor paintings in my free time.”

*****

We appreciate you, Cathy, Tram, and Bijayini!

*****

Alt text: A graphic recognizing Cathy, Tram, and Bijayini as our volunteers of the month, including photos of all three of them. Cathy's reference to plushies has an attached photo of a pink rabbit plushie. All other information on the graphic is included in the above post description.

It's almost Breakfast Bonanza time! Join the BNRC for free honey buns on Monday, August 31st, 9:30AM-11AM, while supplies last. Check out the campus map under 'Weeks of Welcome' or the Weeks of Welcome website to see what other breakfast food is on offer throughout campus that morning!
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Alt text: A graphic advertising the UT Dallas Basic Needs Resource Center's involvement in the annual fall semester campus tradition of Breakfast Bonanza. All information on the graphic is included in the above post description.

Thank you for joining the BNRC for Move-In Market 2026! By the numbers, over 760 students were served with over 6,200 pounds of items on offer. Over 300 volunteers hours went into preparing and helping run the event, including nearly 100 hours from staff and alumni! Leftover clothing from the event will be available year-round in Temoc's Closet.

Thank you to the donors that made this event possible. A special shoutout to Ms. Debbie Speegle in the Student Health Center, who gave over 10 truckloads of donated items from her neighborhood!

See you next year for Move-In Market 2027! 🧡

Photo credit: Sarah Wall, UTD Communications 📸
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Alt text: Pictures of students and event staff at the Move-In Market 2026, hosted by the UTD Basic Needs Resource Center. Text displayed over the pictures are included in the above post description.

Need help preparing for the Fall 2026 All Majors Job & Internship Fair? Join us on Wednesday, September 2nd for Career Fair Prep Day, co-hosted by the University Career Center and the Basic Needs Resource Center. 10AM-3PM in the Activity Center Atrium!

We'll have free haircuts on a first-come first-served basis, free professional headshots, free business attire from Temoc's Closet, elevator pitch critique, resume review, and interview advice. This is a come-and-go event open to UT Dallas students of all majors!
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Alt text: A graphic advertising an upcoming event hosted by the UT Dallas Basic Needs Resource Center and University Career Center. All information on the graphic is included in the above post description.]

THIS SATURDAY! Swipe to check out all the items we'll be giving away! All items will be offered free of charge for all currently enrolled students, whether it'll be your first semester or your last. Take what you can carry!
 
The Basic Needs Resource Center, in collaboration with UT Dallas Alumni and other campus partners, will be hosting our second-annual Move-In Market event on Saturday, August 22nd from 10AM-3PM in the Activity Center Auxiliary Gym. This event will be a great opportunity for students to get dorm essentials, school supplies, and other needed items to start the school year off strong!
 
Visit utd.link/moveinmarket for additional event information. Link in our bio!  
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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. Following the graphic, there are four pictures of boxes of items to be given out at the event.