Food pantries, free groceries and soup kitchens in Santa Cruz
A number of food assistance programs are available for low income and at risk families in the Santa Cruz County region. Each location will do its best to provide free boxes of groceries, serve meals and help people get food. The distribution centers for free food in Santa Cruz County are listed below, with some that may be in your area.
While the focus is always on providing healthy food to struggling people (no matter their income), some of the centers can provide other forms of assistance as well. For example, as funding allows, the non-profits may have items such as baby formula, paper products like toilet paper or free dog or cat food. Most of the Santa Cruz County area pantries can also direct clients to state of California and federal government benefits, such as CalFresh food stamps. So call for referrals.
For people that can’t make it to a pantry, Meals on Wheels can deliver frozen food or a meal to seniors or the homebound. Also, if you can donate goods or time to the food banks, please do so. This will allow the locations to continue to help lower income and struggling families.
Free food distribution centers in Santa Cruz County
Walnut Avenue Family and Women's Center
303 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, California, 95060. Call 831-426-3062
Programs are offered for youth, including development and mentoring along with free snacks. Other resources for clients include food, clothing, diapers, information on WIC and school lunches and others.
Holy Cross - St. Vincent De Paul Society Of Santa Cruz
210 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060. Call 831-423-0878 or (831) 469-0631
A leading charity organization of churches. Volunteers provide limited amounts of financial assistance for basic needs. They also give out free items to people in need, such as food, holiday meals, produce, and protein drinks to seniors in Santa Cruz CA. Baby formula and more is offered too.
The Salvation Army Watsonville Corps Community Center
The non-profit offers a free hot meal daily to anyone in need. There is also assistance with bills along with free shelf stable food bag distribution, Christmas meals and Thanksgiving turkeys. Case management is offered, applications to CalFresh benefits for people in poverty and a soup kitchen also help feed the community.
- The pantry is located at 214 Union St, Watsonville, CA 95076. Main phone: (831) 724-3922
- A second location is at 721 Laurel Street, Santa Cruz, California, 95060. Telephone number is 831-426-8365
Faith Community Church
Food pantry is at 115 S Morrissey Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Phone (831) 429-9000
Santa Cruz Bible Church
Location is 440 Frederick St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062-2606. Main number is (831) 429-1162
Regardless of faith, the food bank gives out groceries and other goods. Get canned or fresh food, USDA appovered items and commodities like cheese, dairy, bread and more.
Community Action Board Of Santa Cruz County, Inc.
The Davenport Resource Service Center is at 150 Church Street, Davenport, CA, 95017. Call 831-425-8115
The non-profit provides a variety of food assistance programs. For example, they run a program known as Passion for Produce that distributes fresh vegetables and fruits from the food bank. Other services include the USDA Surplus items. A regular pantry also distributes many canned goods and groceries, with home delivery for the disabled and elderly in Santa Cruz.. More details here on Santa Cruz County community action programs.
Inner Light Ministries
623 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. For details call 831-465-9090
The organization serves as a Second Harvest food distribution site in Santa Cruz, which is also part of Feeding America.
Calvary Episcopal Church
Food pantry address is 532 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060. Telephone - 831-423-8787
Valley Churches United Missions
9400 Love Creek Road, Ben Lomond, CA, 95005. Call 831-336-8258
Food pantry and free holiday meals, including Thanksgiving turkeys are offered. Get groceries, pasta, canned meat or vegetables and other USDA approved items.
Feeding America - Second Harvest of Santa Cruz
The local branch of the national hunger fighting groups. The non-profit provides food, groceries, dairy and other items to local charity and church run pantries. Those groups then provide them to those in need. There are also cooking classes, tips on shopping for healthy food and other programs, with details here. https://www.thefoodbank.org/food-distribution-nutrition-education-locations-times/
Mountain Community Resources (MCR)
Main address - 6134 Highway 9, Felton, CA, 95018. Phone 831-335-6600
Government programs offered include Women, Infants and Children (WIC), ESL classes, emergency assistance for the pantry and more.
Community Bridges Live Oak Family Resource Center
Address: 1740 - 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, California, 95062. Call 831-476-7284 for hours
Support is offered for new parents, infants, babies, and more. A food pantry is on site. Receive other assistance including education programs and home visits.
Catholic Charities
217 E Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA, 95076. Call the pantry at 831-722-2675
The faith based group has a free food bank and soup kitchen. Immigrants and asylum seekers can also get help. There are boxes of groceries, produce, fruits, canned meat and other goods. Women facing abuse can also get free food from the charity, including single moms.
Aptos Christian Fellowship
7200 Freedom Boulevard, Aptos, CA, 95003. Dial 831-688-3312
A food pantry is offered for local families.
St. Francis Catholic Kitchen
Location is 205 Mora St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Dial (831) 459-6712
A soup kitchen is on site. Free breakfast, lunches and dinners are for the homeless and people with no money. There are also Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets as well as other personal toiletries.
Twin Lakes Church
Location is 2701 Cabrillo College Dr, Aptos, CA 95003. Main number is (831) 465-3300
Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Inc.
Location - 150 - 2nd Street, Watsonville, CA, 95076. Call 831-722-4144
A number of food assistance programs and hunger prevention resources are offered in Santa Cruz County. Among them are a free hot lunch every weekday. The non-profit also offers referral for related services such as soup kitchens for homeless people, financial help and other basic needs. A focus is on the elderly, disabled, and homeless. Food offered includes fresh fruit, ice or potatoes, vegetables, salad, and even a dessert. Also apply for food stamps/CalFresh at the location.
Elm Street Mission
117 Elm St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone: (831) 420-0543
Santa Cruz Aids Project
716 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Telephone phone: (831) 427-3900
Pajaro Rescue Mission
Main address: 111 Railroad Avenue, Watsonville, CA, 95076. Call 831-724-9576
Emergency food, personal toiletries such as soup or detergent, and even items like furniture may be offered.
Familia Center and Beach Flats Community Center
711 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060. Main number is 831-423-5747
An emergency food pantry helps the community. Both canned and fresh food is served. Low-income and Latino families can get help, including information on cultural food programs. Staff also help people with access to health care, CalFresh and other aid.
Community Bridges La Manzana Community Resources – Food pantry
521 Main Street, Watsonville, California, 95076. Telephone number: 831-724-2997
Receive help with public benefits assistance, a computer lab to apply for benefits, and referrals. A food bank and other programs are on site too.
Twin Lakes Church
2701 Cabrillo College Dr, Aptos, CA 95003. Main phone: (831) 465-3300
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