Help provided by Catholic Charities in Santa Barbara County.
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc. has served Santa Barbara County residents continuously since 1924, making it one of the longest-operating social service organizations in the region. Catholic Charities runs three community centers across Santa Barbara County. All three offer food pantry access, rental and utility assistance, and other basic needs services. This is a guide to what is provided and where to get help.
While resources vary by year, in general the organization reaches more than 40,000 unduplicated county residents each year through three community service centers in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. It serves people of all faiths and backgrounds — no religious affiliation is required to receive any of its programs. Call the office closest to you to confirm current availability and hours before visiting, as schedules vary by location. The organization's main website is https://www.catholiccharitiessbc.org/.
- Santa Barbara Community Services Center, 609 E. Haley Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. Phone: (805) 965-7045
- Santa Maria Community Services Center, 607 W. Main Street, Santa Maria, CA 93458. Phone: (805) 922-2059
- Lompoc Community Services Center, 325 N. Second Street, Lompoc, CA 93456. Phone: (805) 736-6226
Food Pantry Services
Food distribution is at the core of what Catholic Charities does across the county. Working in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Food Bank, the organization distributes more than 2 million pounds of food annually through its three locations and several mobile distribution sites that reach more rural and outlying parts of the county. Pantry inventory varies week to week depending on donations and purchases, but typically includes a mix of shelf-stable goods, fresh items when available, and culturally appropriate options for the many Spanish-speaking households the agency serves.
The Santa Barbara center on East Haley Street operates its food pantry on weekdays during set hours; Santa Maria and Lompoc run their own pantry schedules. Because hours can shift based on supply and staffing, calling ahead is always the better approach before making a trip.
Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance
For residents facing eviction or a utility shutoff, Catholic Charities is the only organization operating countywide in Santa Barbara County that provides financial assistance through the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Funding is also available through HPRP and other grant sources depending on current availability.
To be considered for rental or utility help, applicants generally need to be facing a documented crisis — an eviction notice, a utility disconnection notice, or an equally urgent situation. Since these funds come from federal grants and are limited in both amount and duration, what's available in a given month can vary. Anyone facing a housing or utility emergency is encouraged to call their nearest office as soon as the situation develops rather than waiting.
Clothing, Hygiene, and Other Basic Needs
The Thrifty Shopper thrift store, located at the East Haley Street center in Santa Barbara and also at the Santa Maria location, is open to the general public and relies on community donations. For Catholic Charities income qualified clients, the Thrifty Shopper provides free clothing and shoe vouchers that can be redeemed there — so the store functions both as a resource for those who need clothing and as a revenue source that supports the agency's broader programs. We also have information on other Santa Barbara County free cloths and furniture banks.
Beyond clothing, the Santa Barbara center offers hygiene kits upon request, covering basics like toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, and a comb. Clients can also receive reduced-fee or no-fee state ID forms through Catholic Charities, which removes a common barrier for people trying to access employment or other services. The Santa Barbara office additionally works with the St. Cecilia Society to connect clients with small grants for dental and eyeglasses expenses when those costs would otherwise go unmet.
Case Management and Referrals
Catholic Charities maintains connections with employment centers, mental health providers, legal aid organizations, and other nonprofits throughout the county. When a client's needs fall outside what the agency can address directly, case managers will work to point them toward the appropriate resource including such as options as rental assistance programs in Santa Barbara County. This referral network is particularly useful for people dealing with layered hardship — a job loss alongside mounting rent, for example, or a health situation compounding a utility crisis.
How to Apply
Each center, listed above, handles its own intake, with the main website at catholiccharitiessbc.org The general process is to visit in person, fill out an enrollment application, and bring a valid government-issued ID, proof of income, and proof of address. A client resource coordinator reviews the application and determines eligibility. Calling the nearest office before your first visit is worthwhile — staff can tell you what's currently funded, confirm walk-in availability, and let you know what to bring.
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