FREE WORLD - everything free in SF East Bay
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.html
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
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 at 14th & Jefferson in Oakland.
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
First 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
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).
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.
The Hope Center (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
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/
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
FREE Event Listings
SF Funcheap - Daily list of free concerts, festivals, talks
510 Families - 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.
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.