Food Distribution in Oakland

volunteers prepping lunches

 

IF YOU NEED FOOD ASSISTANCE

Primary Resource Hubs:

  • FoodNow.net – Alameda County Community Food Bank's live directory of all food pantries
  • Call (510) 635-3663 – Food Helpline, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm (multiple languages available)
  • Dial 211 or visit Eden I&R 211 – Connect to food, housing, and emergency services
  • HOPE Collaborative Emergency Food List– Sign up for comprehensive Oakland food resource list with hours and locations (available in English and Spanish)

OAKLAND FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES

East Oakland:

The East Oakland Collective – 7800 MacArthur Blvd.

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Hot meals at 12pm
  • Tuesday, Thursday: Groceries and hot meals at 11am
  • Walk-ups only, register onsite
  • Contact: (510) 990-0775
  • Se habla español

Homies Empowerment FREEdom Store – 7631 MacArthur Blvd.

  • Tuesdays, 10am-4pm
  • Food pantry, toiletries, diapers, baby formula
  • Contact: (510) 542-9993

East Oakland Senior Center – 9255 Edes Ave.

  • Wednesday, 8-9am
  • Contact: (510) 615-5731

East Oakland Switchboard – 1909 73rd Ave.

  • Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm
  • No ID required, once per week
  • Contact: (510) 569-6369

Rainbow Rec Center – 5800 International Blvd.

  • Meal distribution (information coming)

West Oakland & Downtown:

Town Care Cafe - Kiosk at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza (near the round-about)

  • Thursdays 8am-1pm 
  • Free Coffee, Food, and Water
  • Free Hygiene and Harm Reduction items
  • Connect with Resource referrals and social assistance programs
  • Phone Charging Stations

St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room – 675 23rd Street

  • Tuesday-Saturday, 10:45am-12:45pm
  • Free hot lunch, pantry services
  • Contact: (510) 638-7600

HOPE Collaborative – 3427 San Pablo Ave. (at Sparc it Place)

  • 1st, 3rd, and sometimes 2nd Sundays, 2:30-5pm

Community Kitchens – 2270 Telegraph Ave.

  • Sunday-Thursday, 11am-2pm
  • Hot and Cold meal distribution. Food pantry items available

Telegraph Ministry Center – 5316 Telegraph Ave.

  • Wednesday: 9:30am-1:30pm & 5-7pm
  • Friday: 9:30am-11:30am
  • Contact: (510) 961-4385

Emeryville Citizens Assistance Program (ECAP) – 2628 San Pablo Ave., Oakland

  • Monday-Saturday, 12-4pm
  • Open to all regardless of residency
  • Contact: (510) 499-1263

North Oakland:

North Oakland Senior Center – Mercy Brown Bag – 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

  • 2nd & 4th Thursdays monthly, 9-10am
  • For seniors 60+ with incomes under 235% of federal poverty line
  • Contact: (510) 269-9640

Downtown Oakland Senior Center – 200 Grand Ave.

  • Mercy Brown Bag: 3rd Monday monthly, 10:30-11:30am 
    • For seniors 60+ with incomes under 235% of federal poverty line
    • Contact: (510) 269-9640
  • Spectrum Senior Meals: Monday-Thursday, 12-12:30pm

Church of Christ – 1300 E. 24th Street

  • Fridays (contact for times)
  • Low-income families
  • Contact: (510) 532-9434

School Meal Programs

Free meals for ALL youth 18 and under at multiple Oakland Unified School District sites (child does not need to be present). Visit district website or call schools for complete list. 

ALAMEDA COUNTY RESOURCES BY CITY

Alameda

Alameda Food Bank – 650 W Ranger Ave., Suite D

  • Drive-thru: Mon/Wed/Fri, 12-4pm
  • City residents only (ID and proof of address required)
  • Contact: (510) 523-5850

Berkeley & Albany

Berkeley Food Network – 1925 9th St., Berkeley

  • Mon-Thurs 10am-2pm; Mon & Wed 5-7pm; 1st & 3rd Saturdays 10am-12pm
  • Contact: (510) 616-5383

Fremont, Newark, Union City (Tri-City Area)

Tri-City Volunteers Food Bank – 37350 Joseph St., Fremont

  • Tues-Fri, 9:30am-3pm
  • Contact: (510) 793-4583

Centro de Servicios – 525 H St., Union City

  • Tues/Thurs 10am-12pm (food distribution)
  • Mon/Wed/Fri 11am-12pm & 1:30-4:30pm (food boxes)
  • Contact: (510) 489-4100

Union City Family Center – 725 Whipple Rd.

  • Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm
  • Contact: (510) 476-2770

Hayward

South Hayward Parish – 27287 Patrick Ave.

  • Mon 2-5pm; Tues/Thurs/Fri 1-4pm
  • Contact: (510) 785-3663

Hope 4 the Heart – 22035 Meekland Ave.

  • Tues & Thurs 1:30pm; 3rd Saturday 7:30am
  • Contact: (510) 689-9721

Eden United Church of Christ – 21455 Birch St.

  • 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30pm
  • Contact: (510) 582-9533

San Leandro

Davis Street Family Resource Center – 3081 Teagarden St.

  • Mon-Thurs, 10-5pm
  • Contact: (510) 346-4620

San Leandro Community Food Pantry – 14235 Bancroft Ave.

  • Thursdays, 6-8pm, Visit: slcfp.org

Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin (Tri-Valley Area)

Tri-Valley Haven Food Pantry – 418 Junction Ave., Livermore

  • Mon-Fri, 1-4pm
  • Contact: (925) 449-1664

CityServe of the Tri-Valley – 5353 Sunol Blvd., Pleasanton

  • Free community lunch every Tuesday, 11am-12pm
  • Contact: (925) 222-2273

For a complete map and directory of all food pantries in Alameda County, visit FoodNow.net or contact your local Board of Supervisor's office.

CRITICAL MESSAGE FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES

Oakland is a sanctuary city, and that means something.

  • When you come to a food distribution site, you are safe
  • No one will ask about your immigration status
  • No one will report you
  • Our police department does not cooperate with ICE
  • We are working with Alameda County to ensure every family, regardless of status, can access food and resources

Fear should never prevent you from feeding your children.

 National Resources:

  • Little Free Pantry Map – Find "take what you need, give what you can" pantries at mapping.littlefreepantry.org
  • Too Good To Go – Find food for 50% off or less that would otherwise go to waste at toogoodtogo.com
  • For the most current food distribution information, visit FoodNow.net or call (510) 635-3663  
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