The Free World : everything free in SF East Bay
(please send any additional info that should be included here to anarchist-utopian@proton.me)
multiple services
YWCA Berkeley/Oakland https://www.ywca-berkeley.org/community-resource-drives 2600 Bancroft Way, (510) 848 - 6370 info@ywca-berkeley.org Their Persimmon Food Pantry location near UC Berkeley distributes fresh produce, nonperishable goods, and hygiene supplies on a weekly or biweekly schedule to individuals and families, including college students. They also offer a Bay Area Resources Packet (for shelter, healthcare, emergency meals, hotlines, legal aid), plus up to 30 minutes of assistance in making need-based phone calls to other organizations, up to 5 pages of printouts, and a Hygiene Pack with pads, tampons, liners, wipes, condoms, and Plan B. People can request hygiene products at our Front Desk or email isalinas@ywca-berkeley.org.
East Oakland Collective https://www.eastoaklandcollective.org/ distributes *FREE* groceries on Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM at 7800 MacArthur Blvd., including fruit, vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, bread, pastries, cereal, rice, grains, pasta, etc. They source food from local farms, the Alameda County Food Community Bank, Whole Foods, Target, FoodMaxx, Sprouts. Also, a limited number of hot meals provided by Community Kitchens are available on Thursday's. Their Feed The Hood program https://www.eastoaklandcollective.org/feedthehood.html also distributes lunches, hygiene kits, free groceries/
St. Vincent de Paul https://www.svdp-alameda.org/get-help.html Main Telephone 510-638-7600
Community Center 2272 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland Dining Room 675 23rd Street, Oakland Has a 75-bed shelter open 365 days a year. at 675 - 23rd St. open to men & women over 18. Dinner and breakfast are provided. Shelter Hours: 7 days a week, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Information: 510-638-7600 Free lunches Tuesday – Saturday. 600+ takeaway meals a day. Lunch is served at the front gate from 10:45-11:40 and from 12-12:45. Dinner and breakfast are served in the dining room for shelter guests. Their Community Center provides a safe, warm place where our guests can relax, read, play games, do work, meet other people and access supplementary programs. Community Center Hours: 9-12; 12:30-3 (Tuesday-Saturday) Clothing Closet is open from 1 to 3 p.m. during normal operating days. Hygiene Kits for men and women and Mail Service.
People’s Programs — People’s Breakfast Oakland https://www.peoplesprograms.com/pbo info@peoplesprograms.com is a grassroots community meal program in Oakland that provides hot food and material support to unhoused people. It follows the legacy of the Black Panther Party’s Free Breakfast and Survival Programs. They also provide hygiene products, tents, clothes, shoes, mental & physical health services, and other resources aiming to meet the material needs of houseless folks. People’s Community Health Clinic - https://www.peoplesprograms.com/health-clinic People’s Community Mobile Health Clinic https://www.peoplesprograms.com/health-clinic The People’s Farm - https://www.peoplesprograms.com/garden Free Grocery Program - https://www.peoplesprograms.com/grocery-program Political Education - https://www.peoplesprograms.com/political-education
The Hope Center / 2012 Berkeley Way, Berkeley https://insighthousing.org/what-we-do/the-hope-center-berkeley/?utm_source=chatgpt.com info@insighthousing.org 510.649.4965 offers emergency housing, transitinal housing, rapid re-housing, permanent support housing, and vocational training. The Meals Program serves meals Monday through Friday, 3:00-4:00 pm
SF Bay Mutual Aid provides funds to pay rent, utilities, medications, and other necessities. They deliver groceries, medicine, supplies and run errands for elderly, immuno-compromised, or other high-risk folx. They connect people with relevant resources in their communities. They provide 1:1 Phone calls and check-ins, and tech support (help w/ delivery apps, video conferencing, etc.) sfbayareamutualaid@gmail.com https://www.sfmutualaid.com/
Freedom Store Oakland is a mutual aid distribution site run by Homies Empowerment that offers food and essential household items at no cost to East Oakland residents as an act of solidarity rather than charity. Location: 7637 MacArthur Blvd. (http://www.homiesempowerment.com/freedom-store.html) Fresh produce, groceries, and other essentials like diapers. Wednesdays, 10:00 am -11:45 am, then again from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 510-729-2072 Freedom Farm http://www.homiesempowerment.com/freedom-farm.htm
The Self Help Hunger Program https://www.selfhelphunger.org/ offers in South Berkeley/North Oakland offers Free Hot Meals, quarterly "Public Land for Public Good" community celebrations and meals, monthly work parties in the community at the Memorial Fruit Tree Orchard, free legal aid, rides to doctor's appointments/ hospitals, bureaucratic support, Housing support (counseling, transitional, etc.), Job training and preparedness. Founded by Black Panther Auntie Frances Moore & Darnel Parks in 2009, it is at Jasper P Driver Plaza, in Oakland. sofia@ocuej.org
St. Mary’s Center - Homeless Services for Seniors 55+ https://www.stmaryscenter.org 925 Brockhurst St., Oakland; 510-923-9600 x 297 Their Housing Clinic (to get help for housing) is Monday & Wednesday at 10:30; Their Senior Community Center serves breakfast Mon.-Fri., 9:30; Lunch Mon.-Fri., 12pm; Dinner Sunday 11am-1pm / OFFICE streetoutreach@stmaryscenter.org Mon.-Fri., 10am-2pm
Rogers & Rosewater Soup Kitchen is a volunteer nonprofit in Oakland providing free hot meals and essential support to unhoused and low-income individuals every Wednesday night. https://www.rogersandrosewater.org/
Punks with Lunch - volunteer mutual aid organization in Oakland provides meals, hygiene supplies, sleeping bags & underwear, and harm reduction resources to unhoused and marginalized people. https://www.punkswithlunch.org/ (510) 761-9795. oaklandpunkswithlunch@gmail.com
Tamarack has free Sunday dinner 7pm and free special events. 1501 Harrison Street , Oakland It has regular open hours for its Free Library on Sunday 1pm-4pm Events can be found on Instagram @tamarackoakland or the calendar https://tamarackoakland.com/calendar
BACS Community Resources 629 Oakland Ave., Oakland; 510-613-0330 www.bayareacs.org
Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency (BOSS) 1918 University Ave, Suite 2A, Berkeley info@self-sufficiency.org 510-649-1930 https://www.self-sufficiency.org
Roots Community Health Center 9925 International Blvd, Oakland 510-777-1177 https://www.rootscommunityhealth.org
FOOD
Berkeley Food Network 1925 Ninth St, Berkeley https://www.berkeleyfoodnetwork.org (510) 616-5383 provides food to 1,200 households a week through its Ninth Street Warehouse on Tuesday 11am-6pm and Thursday 11am-6pm. It also has Neighborhood Pantries at Berkeley Technology Academy 2701 Martin Luther King Jr Way (at Derby) on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 1:00-2:30 pm and at Albany High School 603 Key Route Boulevard, in the Cafeteria on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month, 1:30 – 2:30 pm and at South Berkeley Senior Center , 2939 Ellis St., on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, 2-3 PM and at Berkeley High School 2200 block of MLK (at Bancroft), at the gate between the athletic fields and Building G , on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Berkeley Food Network also does home deliveries.
“Freedges” - stocked public refrigerators - Town Fridges” https://freedge.org/locations/ are located in Oakland at 59th and Vallejo, 28th and MLK (2727 MLK), Helen and Peralta, 10th and Mandela, 6th Ave and East 11th St, 10th and Oak, 13th and Franklin, Fruitvale and E. 15th, W. Grand and San Pablo, E 27th and Fruitvale, Bartlett and Deering, 76th and MacArthur, 410 13th Street (maintained by Moments Co-Op), 2219 Wood St encampmen, 30th and Linden, Oakland, 2727 Martin Luther King Jr Way,, 2140 Mandela Pkwy, 14th and Peralta, 16th and West St., 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, 410 13th Street, Fruitvale Ave & E. 15th street, 8601 MacArthur Blvd, and in Berkeley at 1820 Stuart Street, and 3033 Ellis Street.
East Bay Food Not Bombs https://eastbayfoodnotbombs.org serves hot meals Monday to Friday at 3:00 at Telegraph & Haste in Berkeley, and Thursday at 3:00 in Oakland (no fixed location)
Gill Tract Community Farm https://www.gilltractfarm.org/ at 1050 San Pablo Ave in Albany has free produce days, volunteer farming, community gardens contact@gilltractfarm.org
West Oakland Farm Park / Acta Non Verba https://anvfarm.org/our-farms/west-oakland-farm-park/ 2847 Peralta St, Oakland, is a 1.5 acre farm with excess organic produce for the public. Fruit and vegetables are displayed on a table visible from the entrance. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM, Tuesday, Thursday: 2 PM – 5 PM, Saturday: 10 AM – 2 PM (510) 878-7235
foodnow.net connects folks to food pantries. They can provide emergency groceries that you can pick up at locations near you, or home-delivered groceries, or monthly benefits from CalFresh to help you buy groceries every month. 1-510-635-3663. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm. Use their Food Locator to find multiple convenient pickup locations near you. They work with Alameda County Community Food Bank and Cal Fresh Food
Dial 211 https://www.211.org/get-help/food-programs-food-benefits for the most up-to-date information about local food assistance. Call 211 from a cell phone or landline to speak with a service professional or text, chat online, or search your local 211 online database.
USDA National Hunger Hotline 1-866-348-6479 or (1-877-842-6273 for Spanish) operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time.
211 offers free navigationFirst Presbyterian Church (Berkeley) https://www.fpcberkeley.org/the-kitchen-at-first-pres/ 2407 Dana St. info@fpcberkeley.org 510-848-6242 Food Pantry on 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month serves 100+ households with pantry staples plus produce, eggs, meat, and bread. Street Meal on the 2nd & last Saturdays of the month. 5:00 pm
Allen Temple Baptist Church (East Oakland) 8501 International Blvd. 510-544-8910. info@allen-temple.org https://www.allen-temple.org/about-us/about-allen-temple Lunch: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
St. Paul AME Church (Berkeley) 2024 Ashby 510-848-2050 morning meals around 7:00 AM (multiple days/week) or Tuesday at 11:30 ?
Mercy Brown Bag 3431 Foothill Blvd., Oakland 510-269-9640 Distribution Mon.-Fri. 10am-2pm
Emeryville Citizen Actions Project 3610 San Pablo Ave., Oakland 510-499-1263 Distribution Mon.Sat., 12-4pm
Prescott Joseph Center - Bring a Bag 920 Peralta St., Oakland, 510-835-8683 Mon., Wed., Fri. & 4th Sat., 9am-2pm
Telegraph Community Center 5316 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 510-961-4385 Wed. & Fri. 10am-2pm, Wed. 5:30-7:00
Dumpster Diving Info https://moneyworths.com/dumpster-diving-at-trader-joes/ https://dumpsterquest.com/can-you-dumpster-dive-at-trader-joes/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqIPuIiHU3E https://www.eyeandpen.com/best-places-to-dumpster-dive-in-california/ https://eastbayexpress.com/pot-luck-at-its-most-daring-1/ https://www.reddit.com/r/DumpsterDiving/comments/1217ewa/my_dumpster_diving_list_i_created_with_6_years_of/ https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2006/12/03/need-cheap-guilt-free-eats-take-a-dive-into-a-dumpster/
Mulberry’s Cafe - 335 Highland, Piedmont, 510-652-3779 - might provide expired food if one goes at closing time, or look in the green trash bins outside - they often contain Semi-Freddi bread rolls
Foraging Maps https://fallingfruit.org/ https://forageberkeley.blogspot.com/
Health Care
Berkeley Free Clinic https://www.berkeleyfreeclinic.org/ free medical care Monday- Friday: 6pm - 9pm, Saturday: 11am - 2pm, Sunday: 4pm - 7pm. (510) 548-2570 830 University Ave. Also in-Person Counseling, Phone Services (30 min sessions) 2nd & 4th Thursdays: 6:30-9:00pm, Health Insurance & Food Benefits
People’s Community Mobile Health Clinic https://www.peoplesprograms.com/health-clinic provides Primary Health Care, Diabetes Screenings, Blood Pressure Checks, Vital Wound Care, Acupuncture, Massage & Chiropractic Services, Free Narcan.
Street Level Health Project https://streetlevelhealthproject.org is dedicated to improving the well-being of day laborers, low/no income uninsured, under-insured, and recently arrived immigrants in Alameda County. 3125 East 15th St, Oakland (510) 533-9906
Downtown Oakland Health Center https://lifelongmedical.org/locations/downtown-oakland-health-center/ 616 16th Street, Oakland (510) 981-4100 “provides high-quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services to people of all ages regardless of ability to pay. Also assists patients with enrolling in Medi-Cal and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
East Oakland Health Center https://lifelongmedical.org/locations/east-oakland-health-center/ 10700 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 14, Oakland. (510) 981-4100 “Provides high-quality medical, dental, and behavioral health services to people of all ages regardless of ability to pay. Also assist patients with enrolling in Medi-Cal and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
Baywell 700 Adeline St., Oakland, 510-835-9610
LifeLong Trust Center 386 14th St., Oakland, 510-210-5050
QueerCare https://queercareinc.bigcartel.com/request-support offers financial support to trans people undergoing gender-affirming surgery anywhere in the US and 100% free post-operative support following medical procedures for the LGBTQ community. In-person support in NYC, SF, and Chicago. Services offered are 1. Financial reimbursements for costs related to surgery (save your receipts!) 2. Cooking, cleaning, transportation, shelter, pet care, laundry, in person or virtual socializing, surgery-specific aftercare, patient advocacy, and more.
SHELTER / HOUSING
Where Do We Go https://www.wdwg.org/ 510-999-WDWG wheredowegoberk@gmail.com emergency phone (510)800-8448 offers Legal Aid, Advocacy, Material Support free legal defense and legal aid for unhoused individuals, plus tents, sleeping bags, tarps, clothing, lights, clothing, food, water, and seasonal gear for street survival. They also supply porta potties to encampments and personal care items for health, safety, comfort and dignity.
CityTeam 722 Washington St., Oakland, 510-452-3758 Shelter for men, Food programs, Housing services
East Oakland Community Project 7515 International Blvd., Oakland, 510-532-3211 Adults & Families w/ children under 14
Building Futures 1840 Fairway Dr., San Leandro, call 2-1-1 first for adult shelter. Drop in for women with children.
Operation Dignity, Inc. 318-Harrison St., Oakland 510-287-8465 Shelter for men & women, priority for US veterans.
The Hope Center (listed above)
St. Vincent De Paul (listed above)
Tenant and Neighborhood Councils https://baytanc.com/ is a member-run autonomous tenant union in the San Francisco Bay Area. We encourage all tenants of private landlords, unhoused people, and public housing residents, to join us in organizing councils. Tenant Office Hours: Every Tuesday, 5:30-7:30pm 2940 West St., Oakland Phone: (510) 671-5747 Email: organizing@baytanc.com
LEGAL SERVICES
Bay Area Legal Aid - https://baylegal.org 800-551-5554 free help for low-income residents Covers eviction defense, public benefits (SSI, Medi-Cal), domestic violence, debt & foreclosure 1735 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612 510-663-4755
East Bay Community Law Center https://ebclc.org 510.548.4040 info@ebclc.org 2921 Adeline Street in Berkeley and 2001 Center Street in Berkeley. Free services for housing / eviction, workers’ rights, immigration, clean slate (expungement) Also runs weekly clinics on topics like Consumer Justice, Education Defense & Justice for Youth, Health & Welfare, Housing, Immigration, and Clean Slate.
Centro Legal de la Raza https://www.centrolegal.org/ 510-437-1554 |info@centrolegal.org 3400 E. 12th St., Oakland (Fruitvale) Focus on immigrants, tenants, workers’ rights, Bilingual and deeply community-based
Legal Access Alameda https://www.acbanet.org/legal-access/ Offers free clinics in family law, bankruptcy, restraining orders
Family Violence Law Center https://fvlc.org/ Free legal help for survivors of domestic violence
Homeless Action Center https://homelessactioncenter.org/ Helps unhoused people get disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) Call helpline 510-775-0035 or drop by the offices Mon–Thu 1:00–5:00 PM Oakland Office 2601 San Pablo Avenue (510) 695-2260 Berkeley Office 2150 Dwight Way (510) 540-0878
API Legal Outreach https://www.apilegaloutreach.org/ Free services for Asian/Pacific Islander communities. Provides culturally competent and linguistically appropriate legal representation, social services, and advocacy for the most marginalized segments of the community including low-income women, seniors, recent immigrants, and youth.Oakland Office 310 8th St., Suite 305 510.251.2846 510.251.2292
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates https://www.heraca.org/ Debt, credit, foreclosure issues. 610 16th Street, Suite 420 Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 271-8443 inquiries@heraca.org
CHILD CARE
Head Start (Alameda County programs) https://headstartprograms.org/california_head_start/alameda_ca.html Completely free childcare + preschool Ages: 0–5 (Early Head Start + Head Start) Includes: meals, developmental support, family services
4Cs of Alameda County https://4calameda.org/ - Helps families access: vouchers, subsidized daycare, Many families pay $0 depending on income
SHOWERS
Cal Pep 2811 Adeline St., Oakland. 510-874-7850. Call for service times.
We Hope / Dignity on Wheels https://wehope.org/dow-schedule - locations below are in Oakland Northgate Community Cabins, 27th St. & Northgate Ave.; 7th St. & Kirkham St.; 35th St. & MLK Jr. Way; Mandela Community Cabins 3401 Mandela Parkway; 2nd Ave. & E. 12th St.; 511 Oak St.
BENEFITS/SSI
Homeless Action Center 2601 San Pablo Ave, Oakland 510-695-2260 Mon.-Thu., 1-5pm
LAUNDRY
St. Vincent De Paul 2272 San Pablo Ave., 510-638-7600 Tues-Sat 9am-12pm, 12:30-3pm
EDUCATION
Alameda Adult School https://adult.alamedaunified.org/ free English classes for immigrants in the mornings and evenings and free high school diploma (HSD)/ high school equivalency test (GED/HiSET) prep in the afternoons and evenings.
Oakland Adult Ed https://moveaheadwithadulted.com/oakland/offers free and low-cost classes
Oakland Public Library https://oaklandlibrary.org/adult-literacy/ offers free classes in English, writing, math & money skills, computers, phones, and getting your high school diploma. 125 14th St., Oakland, 2nd floor of the Main Library (510) 238-3432 secondstart@oaklandlibrary.org
Berkeley Public Library https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/library/literacy-berkeley-reads provides free literacy services for eligible adults over the age of 16.
UC Berkeley public lectures (usually free)
Bay Anarchist Free School offers free classes https://bafs.noblogs.org/
The Long Haul https://thelonghaul.org/ has a library, infoshop
Swimming Pools and Gyms
West Campus Pool (Berkeley) has free or very low-cost community swim hours (varies seasonally/program-based) Often evening community swim access
Berkeley Aquatic Park (lake swimming) Free outdoor swimming area (open-water, not a pool) Seasonal, lifeguard-supported in summer
Oakland Parks & Rec Centers - some include weight rooms, basketball courts, fitness classes, that are free or very low cost.
Berkeley Recreation Centers have community fitness rooms at James Kenny Center, and the King Center with free drop-in programming sometimes available.
Lake Merritt Fitness Zone - Outdoor calisthenics equipment (free 24/7)
Berkely Marina / parks fitness equipment - Public stairs, bars, running circuits
Tools
Berkeley Tool Lending Library https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/locations/tool-lending-library 1901 Russell Street (at MLK) 510-981-6101 Berkeley residents over the age of 18 are eligible to borrow tools.
Oakland Tool Lending Library https://oaklandlibrary.org/otll/ 5205 Telegraph Avenue (510) 597-5089 Over 5,000 tools
Clothes
Free Store at Omni Commons, a volunteer collective space at 4799 Shattuck Avenue. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 2-5
Free Oakland UP (Oakland) all items are free (clothes, books, household goods) but usually limited to 1 item/day unless donation-based flexibility
St. Vincent de Paul Society (Oakland / Berkeley outreach) Clothing vouchers / direct clothing assistance
Dorothy Day House (Berkeley) Free clothing + hygiene items (low-barrier access)
Hope House - Clothing + shelter entry support services
SEEDS
Free Seeds available at Oakland Main Library and Berkeley Main Library
Compost
Free Compost is available on Sundays from 12-2pm at Gill Tract Community Farm at 1050 San Pablo Ave in Albany compost@gilltractfarm.org!
Meeting Spaces
The Public Libraries offer free meeting rooms, study rooms,Wifi Berkeley https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/library/meeting-rooms Oakland https://oaklandlibrary.org/meeting-and-study-rooms/
Sports Basement offers free meeting space— their community room can be booked by anyone for free. 2727 Milvia St, Berkeley, CA 94703 (510) 984-3907 friends@sportsbasement.com
MUSEUMS
Oakland Museum of California Free admission 1st Sunday of every month
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive Free 1st Thursday of every month
Chabot Space & Science Center Free telescope viewing nights Friday & Saturday weather permitting
ENTERTAINMENT
Oakland Museum of California Friday Nights - outdoor music, performances, community events
East Bay Regional Parks - free guided hikes, naturalist programs, event
Public Libraries - free film screening, talks, workshops, kids programming
San Francisco Mime Troupe - free theater in parks.
Anarchy Cabaret - free theater, calendar HERE
Crisis Club Gallery https://crisisclubgallery.neocities.org/ is “a freak haven and art gallery” at 5887 San Pablo Avenue in Oakland. It has free events, free arts and craft offering and they frequently put free stuff outside their store.
FREE Event Listings
SF Funcheap - Daily list of free concerts, festivals, talks
510 Famillies - structures calendars of free events
Miscellaneous
PGE Reduction https://www.pge.com/en/account/billing-and-assistance/financial-assistance/california-alternate-rates-for-energy-program.html California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program provides a monthly rate discount of about 38 percent on electricity and 20 percent on gas
The Disability Justice Culture Club (DJCC) https://www.thirdwavefund.org/grantees/disability-justice-culture-club#:~:text=Learn%20More for disabled and/or neurodivergent QTBIPOC based in Chochenyo/Ohlone territory (in deep East Oakland, CA).
Buy Nothing (local gifting and getting) https://buynothingproject.com Has more than 14 million members in 50+ countries. Buy Nothing connects neighbors to gift each other goods and services freely—saving money, reducing waste, and strengthening communities. Members can get free stuff or give away stuff.
Porch Swing https://www.getporchswing.com/ is “the best app for local gifting groups” - It is an alternative to Facebook groups - for Buy Nothing.
Oakland LGBTQ Center https://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/clinic#dataItem-l6d6dnb8 offers a number of free and discounted services to the queer community.
Freecycle https://www.freecycle.org/town/Oakland 5,000 local Town groups with 11+ million members across the globe. It's a grassroots nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Membership is free, and everything posted must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages.
Craigslist “Free” section https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/zip#search=2~gallery~0 Always amazing stuff here - furniture, appliances, baby strollers, bricks, everything…
NextDoor https://nextdoor.com/for_sale_and_free/?isFree=true Everything from fava beans to pianos. An advantage with this site is that your contacts will live nearby.