Family Resources
Homelessness
As defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.
Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
Are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
Are living in emergency or transitional shelters;
Are abandoned in hospitals;
Are awaiting foster care placement;
Children and youths who have a primary night-time residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described in the above clauses. (See the McKinney- Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, section 725).
Housing Resources
Low-earning Berkeley families (including BUSD staff) are losing their housing at epidemic rates. Three of the resources the Office of Family Engagement and Equity usually uses to assist families include 211, Family Front Door, and Catholic Charities.
211
211 is an easy to remember, toll-free phone number that connect callers with local community services, such as food, shelter, counseling, employment assistance, quality child care and more. Dial 2-1-1 to get connected to a specialist for personalized assistance. Free, Confidential, 24/7. Available in multiple languages.
Building Futures (AKA Family Front Door)
Building Futures is a Housing First agency. That means the primary aim of our programs and services is ending our clients’ homelessness by housing them as quickly as possible and then providing the supportive services they need. 24-hour, toll-free Crisis Line: 1-866-A-WAY-OUT (292-9688)
Catholic Charities
If you are at-risk of losing your current housing or need help to move to more stable housing, Catholic Charities might be able to help. They may provide help with back rent if you have received an eviction or three-day notice. If you have identified a new place to live and have a Letter of Intent to Rent or if you are a Section 8 recipient, they may be able to help with a deposit. You must provide a passing Proof of Inspection report.
Academic Support for Homeless Students
Tutoring, school supplies, books, enrollment assistance, afterschool enrichment
Community Education Partnerships
Tutoring scholarships
Meals, Shelters, Drop-in Centers
Morning Meals
Dorothy Day House 2138 Cedar (& Walnut), Berkeley, 925-519-9881; Mon-Sat: 6:30am-8am.
Night on the Streets Catholic Worker 2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, 510-684-1892; Mon-Sat: 8am.
Night on the Streets Catholic Worker People’s Park, Haste & Telegraph, Berkeley, 510-684-1892; Sun: 7:30am, meal moves at 8:15am to Center St. between Milvia and Martin Luther King.
Open Door Mission 92 7th St. (& Oak), Oakland, 510-451-7924; Sun-Fri: 7am breakfast after service.
Telegraph Ministry Center 5316 Telegraph (& 51st St.) Oakland, 510-658-4457; Wed-Sun: 6:30am-8am.
Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center 2218 Acton (& Bancroft), Berkeley, 510-548-2884; Daily: 8am-10am.
Mid-Day Meals
Church by the Side of the Road 2108 Russell (& Lorina), Berkeley, 510-644-1263; Second Sunday of the month at 1:30pm
Food Not Bombs Peoples Park, Haste above Telegraph; M-F 2:30pm
Food Not Bombs Corner of 14th and Jefferson in downtown Oakland; Sundays at 3pm
McGee Avenue Baptist Church 1640 Stuart (& McGee), Berkeley, 510-843-1774; Mon, Wed, Fri: 12 noon-1pm.
Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center 2218 Acton (& Bancroft), Berkeley, 510-548-2884; Daily: 12-1pm
St. Paul AME Church 2024 Ashby (& Adeline), Berkeley, 510-848-2050; Tuesdays: 11:30am-12:30pm.
St. Vincent de Paul Free Dining Room 675 23rd St. (& San Pablo), Oakland, 510-451-7676; Tue-Sat: 10:45am-12:45pm.
South Berkeley Community Church 1802 Fairview (& Ellis), Berkeley, 510-652-1040; Thursdays: 12 noon-1pm.
Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church 1188 12th Street (& Magnolia), Oakland, 510-644-6162; Tuesdays: 12 noon-1pm. 4th Sat of the month: 12noon-1pm.
Late afternoon/Evening Meals
All Souls Episcopal Parish 2220 Cedar (enter on Spruce), Berkeley, 510-848-1755; 2nd Sun of the month: 4pm.
Berkeley Food and Housing Project Community Meal Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1744 University (& Grant), Berkeley, 510-649-4976; Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri: 3:30pm-4:45pm.
CityTeam International 722 Washington (at 7th St.), Oakland, 510-452-3758; Tue-Fri: 5pm.
College Avenue Presbyterian Church 5951 College (& Claremont), Oakland, 510-658-3665; Fridays: 6pm.
Congregation Beth El 1301 Oxford (& Rose), Berkeley, 510-848-3988; 3rd Sun of the month: 5pm. Meal ticket distribution at 3pm. (Medical clinic before the meal).
First Presbyterian Church 2407 Dana (& Haste), Berkeley 510-262-9030; 2nd & last Sat of the month: 5pm.
Newman Hall – Loaves and Fishes 2700 Dwight Way (& College), Berkeley 510-848-7812; 1st Sat of the month: 4pm-7pm. Lottery at 2pm for limited meal seating.
Open Door Mission 92 7th St. (& Oak), Oakland 510-451-7924; Mon-Fri: meal after 6:25pm service. Sun: 3pm.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church 2300 Bancroft (& Ellsworth), Berkeley 510-848-5107; 3rd Sat of the month: 5pm. Ticket distribution starts at 4pm.
St. Mary Magdalen Church 2005 Berryman (& Henry), Berkeley 510-526-4811; 1st & 4th Sun of the month: 3pm.
University Lutheran Chapel 2425 College (& Haste), Berkeley 510-843-6230; 4th Sat every month containing 5 Saturdays: 4:30pm.
holiday dinners
Holiday dinners five times a year at the Newman Hall Parking lot- 2700 Dwight Way
On MLK Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day meal is served from 4-5PM.
Family Drop-in Shelters
Salvation Army Oakland Family Emergency Center 2794 Garden St. (& E. 27th St.), Oakland 510-437-9437 Call for intake appointment. Emergency and transitional shelter program.
St. Vincent De Paul: Visitation Center for Women 2260 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, 510-444-3790; Tue-Sat 9:30am-3pm. Showers, laundry and referrals. Resources for children including infant care.
Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center 2218 Acton (& Bancroft), Berkeley, 510-548-2884; Mon-Fri 8am-4pm (closed 1st Fri of each month). For homeless women and children. Shelter and transitional housing referrals available.
Youth Shelters and Drop-in Shelters
DreamCatcher Youth Services 422 Jefferson (& 5th St.), Oakland 510-701-3711; For youth ages 13-18; Services and schedule currently pending during renovation project. Call for information.
Suitcase Clinic (free health and social services) St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2300 Bancroft (& Ellsworth) 2nd Fl., Berkeley, 510-423-3303; Mondays: 6pm-9pm. Clinic, meal and recreation for ages 13-25.
Youth Engagement, Advocacy and Housing (YEAH!) Lutheran Church of the Cross 1744 University Ave. (& Grant) Berkeley 510-704-9867
7 days a week 8am- 8pm from Nov to May. Seasonal shelter for ages 18-24. Line-up begins at 7:30pm. Showers and hot meals. Pets allowed. Year-round drop-in services.
Affordable Fresh Produce
Berkeley’s Farmers Markets WIC fruit and vegetable vouchers are accepted at the Berkeley Farmers’ markets year-round
Downtown Berkeley (Center St @ MLK) Saturdays 10am-3pm year round
North Berkeley (Shattuck Ave.@ Rose st) Thursdays 3pm-7pm year round
South Berkeley (Adeline st. and 63rd) Tuesdays 2pm-6:30pm year round
Farm Fresh Spiral Gardens Frances Albrier Community Center 2800 Park Street, Berkeley
Tuesdays from 3:00 – 6:00pm
Farm Fresh Choice is the Ecology Center’s food justice program that engages low-income East Bay residents in reclaiming their optimal health through youth empowerment, nutrition education, and weekly produce stands. We make fresh, organic, regionally grown, and culturally appropriate foods convenient and affordable. We’re Bringing Healthy Back!
West Berkeley Family Practice 2013 6th St. Berkeley (510) 704-6000
Fruit Give-Away Thursdays 11am- until food runs out
Bread/Vegetable Give-Away Tuesdays 3pm to 4pm (or until food runs out)
West Berkeley Family Practice provides fresh bread, fruit and vegetables that are donated from local businesses. Everyone is welcome, please bring your own bag.
Berkeley Food Pantry 1600 Sacramento Street Berkeley (510) 525-2280
Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays: From 2-4 pm
The Berkeley food pantry provides emergency groceries to Berkeley and Albany residents. The Pantry provides fresh produce, fresh dairy products, and frozen meat. Please bring photo ID and 2-4 bags.