San Mateo County, CA Assistance Programs

San Mateo County Housing Assistance Programs

Our housing assistance programs include HUD, housing assistance, Section 8, subsidized housing programs in San Mateo County.

Fair Oaks Community Center - Redwood City

2600 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA - 94063
650-780-7500
This is a multi-service center. The services offered are: Child care and preschool, Crisis intervention, Education, Emergency food, Shelter, Housing assistance, Immigration and citizenship, Information and referral, Legal services including housing and employment, Senior services including lunch program and computer classes, Translation and assistance with forms. Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday  8:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., ..

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Catholic Worker Hospitality House

555 West San Bruno Ave.
San Bruno, CA - 94066
(650) 827-0706
Dining Room and Shelter; Provides free meals Mondays through Fridays (breakfast) 6:30am to 9am. At Catholic Worker Hospitality House we operate a free dining room and emergency homeless shelter on the grounds of St. Brunos Catholic Church in San Bruno. Five mornings a week we operate a free dining room with 70-80 guests joining us for breakfast. Besides the hot meal guests can use the shower, get food to go, and see about availability in our homeless shelter. Every night we operate a year-round emergency homeless shelter with space for up to 9 guests. Guests usual stay from 2-3 weeks, but length of stay varies according to guest.; Affordable Housing: Our work at the shelter over the years has shown us the great need among our guests for affordable and supportive permanent housing. In addition to our emergency homeless shelter, we currently own and operate four houses of hospitality. Two houses offer permanent housing for the formerly homeless. Another house provides housing for a family.  In July of 2018, we purchased a home in Oakland that provides transitional housing for people returning to the community after incarceration. ..

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Bay Area Legal Aid - San Mateo

1048 El Camino Real, Suite A
Redwood City, CA - 94063
650-358-0745
Offers legal information for domestic violence, housing, and family law problems. Call for an appointment. Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am - 12 pm & 1 - 5 pm..

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San Mateo County Food Assistance Programs

Our list of food assistance programs includes: food pantries, soup kitchens, congregate meal programs in San Mateo County.

Street Life Ministries Redwood City

1304 Middlefield Rd
Redwood City, CA - 94063
(650) 716-6624
Provides free meals Mondays and Wednesdays from 7pm to 8:45pm. ..

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St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Help Center

50 B St.
San Mateo, CA - 94401
(650) 343-4403
Services: Offers free meals. Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ..

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St Vincent de Paul SSF Homeless Help Center Cafe

344 Grand Ave
South San Francisco, CA - 94080
(650) 589-9039
Provides free meals: Mondays through Fridays 10am to 12 noon. Saturday 10am to 11am. ..

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St Anthony's Padua Dining Room

3500 Middlefield Rd
Menlo Park, CA - 94025
(650) 365-9665
The Dining Room helps meet the needs of the local community by providing hot, nutritious meals from Monday to Saturday all year round to anyone looking for a meal and a safe place to eat. The Dining Room offers surplus basic food, fresh fruit, and vegetables, as well as bread products for customers. Items vary each day but generally include a mix of bread, pastries, canned and packaged goods, as well as varieties of fresh produce. A typical meal includes salad, a main dish such as stew or pasta, rice or beans with chili, bread, vegetables, milk, juice, coffee, and a pastry or fruit dessert. This service allows customers to bring and cook fresh meals at home. During the holidays - Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, our patronage nearly doubles to 1,000. Hot Meal Program: Free meal site for those who are hungry. Every day between 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. customers receives a generous lunch, which is served by volunteers. Groceries: Monday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ..

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San Mateo Activity Center

50 East Fifth Avenue
San Mateo, CA - 94401
(650)342-0822
Self-Help for the Elderly currently has 10 activity centers in the San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara. These activity centers are a place for seniors to enjoy activities with old friends and new friends. We provide them with fun, physical activities that get them up from their seats and up and moving. We promote active and healthy lifestyles for our seniors, so we want them to be up doing something and interacting with other people. During their time at the activity center, seniors will be served healthy meals designed by our nutritionist and caterers. We promote healthy living, so we teach them how to eat healthy and nourish their bodies. Along with teaching them about nutritional foods, we also provide senior living education. We welcome seniors and their spouses 60 years or older...

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San Carlos Adult Community Center

601 Chestnut Street
San Carlos, CA - 94070
(650)802-4384
Our Adult Community Center offers comprehensive programming for San Carlos 50-and-up community. That includes recreational activities, health and wellness programs, lifelong learning, trips and tours, special events and daily meals...

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Samaritan House San Mateo

4031 Pacific Blvd
San Mateo, CA - 94403
(650) 341-4081
Provides a food pantry Hours: M - F 9am - 12pm; 1pm - 4pm; Samaritan House Weekend Lunch to go: Hours: Saturdays, Sundays 12 noon (lunch to go) All welcome. ..

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Samaritan House Dining Room - Masonic Lodge

303 Tilton Ave
San Mateo, CA - 94401

Samaritan House offers a seated dinner (hot meal and dessert) on weeknights for every adult single or family that needs it. Everyone is encouraged to enjoy dinner in a restaurant-style community space in downtown San Mateo. There is an option to carry out if necessary. Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday,4:00 p.m. -6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. ..

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Salvation Army South San Francisco

409 S. Spruce Ave.
South San Francisco, CA - 94080
(209) 509-9680
Provides free meals on Saturdays Breakfast: 9:20am to 11am. ..

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North Peninsula Food Pantry & Dining Center of Daly City

31 Bepler St.
Daly City, CA - 94014
(650) 994-5150
For the Food Pantry by appointment Please call 650-994-5150 or Send us an Email   For the Dining Center: Everyone is welcome to join ... Our Dining Center is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Doors open at 4:30, Dinner is served at 5:00 PM seconds (if available) are served at 5:30PM and we close at 6:00 PM.  Everyone is welcome to join for a FREE meal! Food Pantry; A single mother with two children leaves an abusive relationship and struggles to provide for her kids on her own. A trip to the Food Pantry allowed her to breathe easier for a little while, as she stocked up on staples that will feed her small family for three days. The Food Pantry, located at 31 Bepler Street, Daly City, provides a three days supply of non-perishable foods. The variety of food distributed includes canned fruit, canned vegetables, dry cereal, rice, beans, canned meat/fish, meals in cans (chili, spaghetti, soup), peanut butter, and macaroni & cheese mixes (mix of food is based on availability). Food pantry programs are supported by donations from the community directly to the Food Pantry and through Second Harvest.  Food distribution requirements are reviewed annually with nutritional experts to insure a good balance of foods. The  Dining Center A family of six became regulars at the Dining Center after the father was injured on the job. Visiting the Dining Center allowed the family to enjoy a meal together and make plans for the future. The parents are grateful that the Dining Center was available when they needed it so their kids could receive a hot, nutritious meal. The Dining Center located at 31 Bepler Street, Daly City, serves a cafeteria-style hot meal to anyone who is hungry on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 5:00 to 6:00 PM or until all food is distributed. The Dining Center continues to serve approximately 70 people each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening at a current cost of $6.41 per person. Meals are purchased primarily from Sa..

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Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center

2600 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA - 94063
(650)780-7525
In 2000, Peninsula Family Service took over operation of the older adult program at the Fair Oaks Community Center. Over the years, we have expanded services to meet the ongoing and emerging needs of older adults looking to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life. Last year, we helped more than 3,000 participants age in place by offering nutritious meals, fitness classes, health screenings, and social activities for free or reduced costs...

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City of Pacifica Senior Services

540 Crespi Drive
Pacifica, CA - 94044
(650)738-7384
Pacifica Senior Services is the community focal point for seniors' quality of life. We are committed to providing services and programs for older adults including those with disabilities that maintain and enhance the quality of their lives, reduce isolation, and promote socialization. A division of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department, Senior Services programs and services are provided at the Pacifica Community Center, which houses a multi-purpose Senior Center. The Senior Center offers seniors, 60+ years of age, nutritious lunch programs (Congregate and Meals on Wheels), transportation in our 20-passenger wheelchair-lift equipped bus, information and referral services, more than 40 weekly classes and clubs, daily activities, entertainment and volunteer opportunities. The "Golden Treasures Gift Shop" featuring homemade items and crafts is located in our Senior Lounge. Senior Services programs have been in operation since 1974 and are currently funded by Older American Act grants, San Mateo County grants, City of Pacifica General Fund support, Pacificans Care grants, charitable donations, client donations and in-kind volunteer hours...

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San Mateo County Health Care Assistance Programs and Clinics

Our list of clinics and healthcare assistance programs includes free and income based clincs: dental and medical, health care assistant payment programs, etc.

Redwood City Free Clinic - Redwood City

114 5th Avenue
Redwood City, CA - 94063
650-839-1447
Services: Operated by Samaritan House, this clinic provides free dental and medical services for uninsured, low-income residents: gynecology, breast cancer screening, dermatology, diabetic care, endocrinology, internal medicine, neurology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, optometry, podiatry, pneumology, nutritional counseling, and much more. Customers should call an appointment. Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ..

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San Mateo County Various Assistance Programs

Below we list an array of other helpful resource programs we have found in San Mateo County.

Twin Pines Senior & Community Center

20 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA - 94002
(650)595-7444
The Twin Pines Senior & Community Center is operated by the City of Belmonts Parks & Recreation Department. This hidden jewel in Twin Pines Park offers daily low-cost or free activities for adults 18+ including movies, table tennis, language groups, and exercise programs. Use of the Center is for programs sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department, or for the Belmont Senior Club activities that are free and open to the community. Sponsored programs include classes, lunches, lectures, social services, special events and recreational activities...

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Senior Coastsiders

925 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA - 94019
(650)726-9056
Senior Coastsiders provides opportunities, support and resources for older adults and adults with disabilities living on the coastside, from Montara to Pescadero and Skyline to the Sea. We strive to celebrate the value of seniors and act as a community resource for information, caregiver support and innovative approaches to successful aging...

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San Bruno Senior Center

1555 Crystal Springs Rd.
San Bruno, CA - 94066
(650)616-7150
Built in 1987, the San Bruno Senior Center is a 12,700 sq. ft. facility nestled among old oak trees in the hills between City Park and Junipero Serra County Park on Crystal Springs Road. More than 250 adults (ages 50+) use the facility daily for a multitude of classes, programs, workshops, seminars, and volunteer opportunities. There are no membership or residency requirements..

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Millbrae Senior Center

477 Lincoln Circle
Millbrae, CA - 94030
(650)259-2370
Millbrae Recreation Division provides a variety of seasonal senior activities and classes...

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Little House, Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center

800 Middle Avenue
Menlo Park, CA - 94025
(650)326-2025
At Little House, we provide a breadth of services for adults of all ages with a focus on staying physically, intellectually, socially and culturally active. We encourage ongoing independence while staying connected with the larger community...

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Life Skills Ministry

1259 El Camino Real Suite 261
Menlo Park, CA - 94025
(650)322-0161
Life Skills Ministry is a non-profit corporation providing life skills classes to homelss persons in Menlo Park, California...

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Genentech Access Solutions South Sanfrancisco Access to Care Foundation

1 DNA Way, Mail Stop #858a
South Sanfrancisco, CA - 94080
(866)422-2377
Committed to helping all patients access their medicines, regardless of their ability to pay. Their staff can help resolve benefits and coverage issues, find co-pay assistance for under-insured patients and provide free medicine for eligible uninsured patients. Age groups: All. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-5 p.m. P.S.T...

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Foster City Senior Wing

650 Shell Blvd.
Foster City, CA - 94404
(650)286-2585
The Foster City Senior Wing offers a wide variety of programming for adults in the Foster City community...

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Doelger Senior Center

101 Lake Merced Blvd.
Daly City, CA - 94015
(650)991-8012
Since 1980, Daly City Senior/Adult Services has been offering services at the Doelger Center, providing an environment to promote wellness and lifelong learning for seniors/adults from Daly City and surrounding communities. ..

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Brisbane Senior Sunrise Room

2 Visitacion Avenue
Brisbane, CA - 94005
(415)508-0230
All programs are free to seniors ages 60 or older. Hours of operation: Between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Monday to Friday ..

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1st Christian Church Free Meals

2890 Middlefield Rd
Redwood City, CA - 94063
(650) 716-6624
Hours of operation: Between 7:00 PM and 8:45 PM on Monday ..

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San Mateo County Assistance Locations

Government and Private Assistance Programs

Housing Assistance

There are many non-profit and government based organizations dedicated to providing housing and support. We find them for you.

Food Pantry Assistance

Food pantries, soup kitchens, food baskets. We find these local resources and list them.

Free clothing assistance

Thousands of churches and religious organizations offer low-cost or free drug and alcohol treatment as part of their missions.