Food and Housing Assistance
Low Cost Housing. End World Hunger.  End Homelessness.  Food Banks.  Soup Kitchens.

In the United States, 20.8 percent of children under 18 are poor, and 25 percent of children under age six live in poverty. This is twice the child-poverty rate of any other industrial country, and poverty is the leading cause of hunger in the U.S. Facts About Hunger Homelessness in the News Economy creates surge in homeless Mass. families (AP via Yahoo! News) There's been a surge in the number of homeless families in Massachusetts — a spike that has overwhelmed the state's shelter capacity and forced it to again place homeless families in motels. HOMELESS 'DRIVEN' TO VOTE OBAMA (New York Post) CLEVELAND - Volunteers supporting Barack Obama picked up hundreds of people at homeless shelters, soup kitchens and drug-rehab centers and drove them to a polling place yesterday on the last day that Ohioans could register and vote on the same day... Traumatic brain injury common among homeless, study finds (CBC) More than half of the people who are homeless in Toronto are suffering from a traumatic brain injury, according to a new study that suggests early diagnosis and treatment may help stem the number of homeless people in major cities. Traumatic brain injury common amongst homeless people (EurekAlert!) Traumatic brain injury is common amongst homeless people and is associated with poorer health, found a study of more than 900 homeless men and women in Toronto. Temporary homeless shelter renewed for 4 years (CBC) A woman who lives next to a northwest Calgary homeless shelter wants the word "temporary" eliminated from the facility's description after city council extended its permit for another four years. Low Cost Housing News Charlotte deal is short on low-cost housing (The Charlotte Observer) When Charlotte City Council voted to sell seven acres of public land just north of the Interstate 277 loop, members hoped the deal would create affordable housing for families making less than $45,000 a year. As an incentive, they sold the land for less than half its appraised value. Now two years later, the developer who bought the land is pre-selling condominiums and townhouses for as much as ... Rising cost of construction hurts group’s housing projects in Cebu (Sun Star) HURT by the increasing cost of construction materials, a faith-based nongovernment organization is planning to employ its available resources and even target beneficiaries in the completion of future low-cost housing projects. Frank: GOP Housing Attacks Racially Motivated (WCVB Boston) Rep. Barney Frank said Republican criticism of Democrats over the nation's housing crisis is a veiled attack on the poor that is racially motivated. More discounted housing offered (Arizona Daily Sun) Another local developer has answered the call from the community for more affordable housing options. Affordable housing funds shifted (The Record) Paramus Mayor James Tedesco authorized the transfer of nearly $4 million in affordable housing funds without obtaining the Borough Council's approval, an apparent violation of affordable housing rules, public records show. Powerful Ways YOU  Can Reclaim YOUR  Power to End Hunger . First, click here and sign an electronic petition to end hunger. Next, put the following message in all your emails: Fight hunger three ways at NO cost!  Visit: www.feinsteinfoundation.com  You can click there to sign the petition calling on Congress to end hunger in America (sign only once, please).  Click to send a free meal to a needy person every day by visiting freedonation.com daily. Visit www.thelivingweb.net/endhunger.html for links to the latest news about ending world hunger and homelessness ... plus many practical ways to contribute and make a difference. Would you please start putting this message on all your emails, and ask your friends to do likewise.  This is a great way you can help reduce hunger in the world, just by passing this valuable news on! The more often people see this message from you, the more they will respond, thanks to you! Bread for the World's Legislative Action Center  Seeks justice for the world's hungry people by lobbying U.S. decision makers. Issues and Action for latest news and information, bills before Congress, etc. California Food Policy Advocates often provides BOTH California and National News Capital Hill Basics Tips and Protocols for Communicating with Congress Catholic Relief Services' Sample Letter To Congress Taking Action Against Hunger Findlaw's Write to Congress Service Advocacy at Lighthouse International Donate Time and/or Money to End Hunger How to Make a Contribution to End Hunger in the World

Where to Find Food and Shelter

Food for thought: 10% of the U.S. Population, or 26 million people, rely on private, charitable    emergency food programs....12% of our senior citizens are unable to meet their basic food needs....28% of all food produced in this country - or 96 billion pounds - is wasted every year.

Below are many resources for feeding and housing those in need... as well as opportunities to volunteer and to donate. While many of the food banks don't provide food DIRECTLY to the public (and some do), they should be able to provide you with a list of organizations with whom they work who DO distribute food in that particular area.

Homeless Shelters and Soup Kitchens  See a Searchable Map by State

Salvation Army: US Western Region  Social services

Community Kitchens: A listing  "....These kitchens represent one of the most innovative, exciting, and cost efficient ways we can use food to feed the hungry, train the unemployed, generate public support, create greater economies of scale, and challenge inaccurate stereotypes of the men, women, and children we serve...."

Emergency Food and Shelter Program  A list of local agencies which have received federal funding and may have money to distribute to needy individuals and families.

National Association of Community Action Agencies  "Helping People Help Themselves"

Alabama

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Bay Area Food Bank

Alaska

Food Bank of Alaska

Arizona

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Community Food Bank, Tucson

Food Assistance Programs in Arizona

Tucson Area Emergency Assistance  Many types including Food Boxes and Free Meals

Westside Food Bank, Sun City  Gives directions on how to get help.

Arkansas

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

New Program Helps Needy Elderly

California

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Alameda Country Community Food Bank

California Food Assistance Program

Financial Assistance for Californians

Food 4 Thought: The San Joaquin Food Bank in Manteca, CA

Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

"....Poverty, drug abuse, violence, and despair persist in San Francisco as they do across the country. By working to combat these problems, Glide serves as an oasis in a desert of hopelessness, marching to the edge where victories for social justice are won. Glide is a place where old, destructive ways of being are thrown out and new ones created. Where names are named and love is celebrated and a simple call goes out to all races, classes, genders, ages, and sexual orientations: It's recovery time. It's time to love unconditionally...."

Glide  "Glide's Free Meals Program serves three nutritious meals a day to the city's poor and homeless every day of the year."

Madera County Food Bank

Project Open Hand (East Bay/Oakland area) provides home delivered meals, groceries and nutrition counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS; congregate lunches and nutrition education to seniors; meal service for homebound and critically ill people under the age of 60.

San Francisco Food Bank

San Francisco Free Pantry and Free Meals and Free Shelter charts  AWESOME!  Also, FREE Showers! 

Santa Monica: Ocean Park Community Center: Daybreak Shelter 

This housing program provides up to six months of structured group living. Staff and volunteers maintain a warm and accepting atmosphere that is both home-like and respectful of the residents' privacy.

The Daybreak Shelter provides:
• Three meals a day
• Advocacy in obtaining benefits
• Psychiatric and medical care
• Permanent housing placement
• Budgeting / money management
• Case management
• Food
• Clean clothing
• Showers
• A mailing address

Second Harvest Food Bank in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties

Share Our Selves (Orange County) provides free emergency assistance to those in need of basic living essentials including food, health services, and small amounts of financial aid.

The People's Guide: How to Get Food and Money [and Shelter and Medical Assistance] in Los Angeles County

Colorado

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Care and Share: Southern Colorado's Second Harvest Food Bank

Community Food Share, Boulder  "....Community Food Share is the food bank working to alleviate hunger in Boulder County, Colorado. Founded in 1981, CFS works through a network of 80 human services agencies at 147 sites to collect, produce and distribute food to the hungry...."

Food Assistance, Adams County

Food Bank of the Rockies

Food Bank for Larimar Country

Weld Food Bank

Connecticut

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Connecticut Food Bank

Foodshare of Greater Hartford

Delaware 

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

The Food Bank of Delaware

District of Columbia (Maryland, Virginia)

Capital Area Food Bank  "....Bank recovers millions of pounds of food - that would otherwise be thrown away - from bakeries, distributors, farmers, grocery stores, manufacturers, and retailers. Grocery stores donate salvageable foods including overproduced or damaged items that account for 60 percent of the foods we distribute. More than two million pounds of fresh produce comes from area farms and the hard work of the Washington Area Gleaning Networks. Additional donations come from America's Second Harvest, our national non-profit umbrella organization, and community food drives. The Capital Area Food Bank benefits from hundreds of local schools, media outlets, businesses, synagogues and churches holding food drives each year....The Capital Area Food Bank provides food to nearly 700 hunger relief organizations in Washington, Suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia. In 1999, the Food Bank distributed 20 million pounds of recovered food including 5 million pounds of fresh produce to its member food pantries, soup kitchens, youth programs, shelters, daycare centers, and elder care facilities. Food Bank member agencies serve 1.7 million meals each month...." 

DC Central Kitchen  "....a pool of 1,500 food service businesses donate more than thirty tons of food each month. The Kitchen prepares approximately 3,000 meals per day—365 days per year—for distribution to 140 non-profit agencies in the District, northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland. Client agencies including homeless shelters, community and youth centers, children's after-school programs, and senior citizen programs...."

Metro Washington DC: Emergency Food and Shelter Directory   This is an annual directory covering emergency food, soup kitchens, shelters and medical care.  (You might want to substitute the current year's last two digits for the previous year to see if a newer version is available.) 

District of Columbia Shelter Directory

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (DC)

Arlington Food Assistance Center

List of Maryland Emergency Food Providers by County

WIC (Women, Infants, Children) is a health and nutrition program that provides short-term nutrition and food support to low income, at risk pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children less than five years of age.

Helter Shelter Article on the downhill slide of Federal City Shelter billed as DC's largest.  A powerful "reality check"! 

Florida

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Daily Bread Food Bank: Fighting Hunger in South Florida

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida

Georgia

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Atlanta Community Food Bank

Golden Harvest Food Bank

Valdosta Food Bank

Hawaii

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Hawaii Food Bank

Financial and Food Stamp Assistance

Idaho

America's Second Harvest Listings

Illinois

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Greater Chicago Food Depository and the various programs supported by the Food Depository

Harper House  "Center for Street People" (Chicago)

Northern Illinois Food Bank  serving Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry, Will and Winnebago counties.

Operation Food Search  11 Counties in Missouri and 9 in Illinois

Indiana

America's Second Harvest Food Bank Listings

Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana

Hoosier Hills Food Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana

Iowa

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Kansas

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Harvesters Community Food Network

Kansas Food Bank Warehouse

Kentucky

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Dare to Care Food Bank operates Emergency Food Program with Neighborhood Distribution Centers

Louisiana

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Maine

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Washington and Hancock Counties Housing and Food Assistance Programs

Maryland

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Maryland Food Bank

Massachusetts

American Red Cross Emergency Food Referral Form

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry

Rachel's Table distributes over 200,000 pounds of food to a variety of local agencies in the Springfield/Chicopee area

St. Francis House Food Program (Boston) "....designed to address the physical needs of our homeless guests by providing balanced, nutritious meals to protect the well being of our healthy guests and to nourish and strengthen those facing illness and disease. We serve an average of 175 people at each breakfast, and 550-650 people at lunch, 365 days a year. We provide emergency sandwiches every day as well...."

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts  Supports a variety of food bank programs and over 400 non-profit member agencies

The Greater Boston Food Bank  "....services 900 member feeding programs throughout the nine counties of eastern Massachusetts...." Brown Bag program ".... helps the elderly and families stretch food dollars by providing a free 10-to 15-pound grocery bag filled with nutritious food once a month...."  They also are pioneering an innovative Kid's Cafe.

The Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry  

Worcester County Food Bank

Michigan

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Food Assistance Programs Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties

Food Bank of Eastern Michigan

Food Bank of Oakland County

Food Bank of South Central Michigan

Forgotten Harvest (Metro Detroit) List of recipients

Gleaners Community Food Bank (Southeast Michigan)

Hidden Harvest (Saginaw)

Minnesota

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Emergency Foodshelf Network  "...a coalition of more than 40 food shelves and emergency food programs committed to helping people in Hennepin County and surrounding areas get through tough times...."

Minnesota Food Assistance Program

Minnesota Food Share

St. Paul Farmers Market Locations

Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater Minneapolis

Second Harvest St. Paul Food Bank

Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People

Mississippi

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Missouri

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

America's Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph

Harvesters Community Food Network

Operation Food Search  11 Counties in Missouri and 9 in Illinois

St. Louis Area Food Bank

Scouting for Food (Greater St. Louis)

Montana

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Inland Northwest (also serves Montana)

Nebraska

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Nevada

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

New Hampshire

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

New Jersey

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Community Food Bank of New Jersey

Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Southern Branch

Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties

Food Bank of South Jersey

Mercer Street Friends

New York

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

CHOW Community Outreach Warehouse

City Harvest (NYC)

Food Bank of Central New York

Food Bank of Western New York

Food For Survival  5 boroughs of NYC

Food Link  Central and Western NY


Food Patch (Westchester)  has List of Pantries Served

Island Harvest

Long Island Cares (founded by the late entertainer Harry Chapin)

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York

North Carolina

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Food Bank of North Carolina

Food Bank of the Albemarle (Northeastern North Carolina)

Manna Food Bank, Asheville

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina

North Dakota

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Ohio

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

InfoLine  Summit County's links to human services including emergency phone numbers for food and utility disconnects

Ohio Hunger Task Force

Oklahoma

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Oregon

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Pennsylvania

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Community Food Warehouse of Shenango Valley

Greater Philadelphia Food Bank

Philabundance  List of Agencies Served  "Philabundance delivers food free of charge to a network of more than 150 charitable organizations in the Delaware Valley."

Puerto Rico

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Rhode Island

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

South Carolina

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

South Dakota

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Tennessee

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Texas  

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Capital Area Food Bank (Austin) "...More than 300 non-profit human service agencies receive food from the Food Bank. These include church food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, hospice programs, low-income day care centers and senior nutrition programs. Nearly seven million pounds of food is distributed each year, saving agencies more than $12 million in food purchase costs....we do operate a Food Assistance Hotline (512) 282-2111 during business hours to direct callers to nearby emergency feeding programs...."

Directory of Social Services, El Paso

Downtown Women's Center, Amarillo

Grayson Country Shelter

Open Door Mission, Houston

Star of Hope Gospel Mission

Utah

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Vermont

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Virginia

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Washington

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Food Lifeline (Seattle)

General Eligibility Rules for Food Stamps and Do You Need Emergency Food Assistance

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Inland Northwest

West Virginia

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Wisconsin

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

Elderly Nutrition Program  

Wyoming

America's Second Harvest Food Banks

"...Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear, then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard...." Isaiah 58:7-8 NIV

The Good News Garage 
"....is the first transportation equity center of its kind in the United States. It was created in response to the inability of many low-income families to take advantage of job and other economic opportunities because of inadequate transportation. Because they may qualify to own their own "wheels," these families have the opportunity to move beyond the previous limitations of public transportation routes and schedules. Most importantly, this means that they have the ability to break the cycle of poverty...."

Charity Cars, Inc. "....Its mission is to provide a vehicle and vehicle support services to assist disadvantaged families in their transition from dependency to self-sufficiency.

"The Charity Cars program provides a vehicle that has been refurbished to insure safety and reliability, a license plate, the down-payment for insurance, an emergency roadside assistance membership, a service warranty, and case management services to families willing to work...."

"....More than 96 billion pounds of edible, 'surplus' food is thrown away in the United States each year. It is estimated that almost 27 percent of our food supply is wasted. At the same time, 4 million children under 12 and about 30 million adults went hungry at least once every month. The USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse, administered by World Hunger Year, aims to connect people and organizations seeking information about reducing food waste.

"What is gleaning? From biblical origins, gleaning is the practice of gathering the extra crops that are left in the fields after a harvest. Coupled with food rescue and recovery, it denotes the collection and distribution of food to disadvantaged individuals.

"Where does the food come from? Prepared and perishable foods come from a number of sources, including restaurants, caterers, hotels, corporate cafeterias, farms, wholesale docks, farmers' markets, and supermarkets. Anyone can lend a hand at any level, from large restaurant chains donating in bulk, to individuals volunteering time to glean on a farm...."

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance  "....a government-wide compendium of all 1,425 Federal programs, projects, services, and activities that provide assistance or benefits to the American public.  These programs provide grants, loans, loan guarantees, services, information, scholarships, training, insurance, etc., to millions of Americans every day...."

Federal Food Programs

Food Research and Action Center  

Help for the Homeless and Those Being Faced with the Prospect of Homelessness

54 Ways You Can Help the Homeless

HUD's Homeless Assistance Page  See also Put a Face on Homelessness: Help HUD Help The Homeless  Ways to Get Involved

What to Do If You Are Homeless or May Become Homeless

Directory of National Homeless and Housing Organizations

Lois Lannin's Directory of Homeless Shelters in the US

Directory of Homeless and Housing Advocacy Coalitions

Directory of Local Homeless Service Organizations

Homeless Veterans Fellowship

National Alliance to End Homelessness

Salvation Army  See Regional Addresses and Phone numbers "....dedicated to caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, loving the unlovable, and befriending those who have no friends. This dedication has produced an international network of helpful ministries.

"In 1997 alone, a total of 25,796,465 million people were assisted by The Salvation Army. And because need knows no season, The Salvation Army continues to work year-round to help families in need...."

Doe Fund Supports formerly homeless men and women who are rebuilding their lives through work. In their efforts to improve the local streets and neighborhoods of New York 

Shelters for the Homeless by Region

California

Union Rescue Mission "Largest homeless shelter in Los Angeles....Guests can sign up for beds, eat three meals a day, take showers and get haircuts, pick out fresh clothes, and receive medical care. Counseling from our staff is also available...." 

Maryland

Homeless Resource Manual (All of Maryland by County)

Massachusetts

St. Francis House (Boston)

About the Homeless Lifestyle

Panhandlers, street paper vendors and street newspapers  See also Agressive and Anti- panhandling laws  

Real Change News Seattle's Homeless Street Paper

The Big Issue  
"....set up in 1991 to give homeless people the chance to make an income. It campaigns on behalf of homeless people and highlights the major social issues of the day. It allows homeless people to voice their views and opinions...."

Homeaid America   Largest provider of shelter for the temporarily homeless. "...With building hope for the homeless as its mission, the organization has completed 55 shelter projects with 1000 beds and raised more than $30,000 million in cash and in-kind contributions through the efforts of more than 3,000 companies and 30,000 individuals to help more than 10,000 people...."  Map showing regional locations

Help for the Elderly

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging  "....dedicated to providing high-quality health care, housing and services to the nation’s elderly. Its membership consists of over 5,000 not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, senior housing facilities, assisted living and community services. AAHSA organizations serve more than one million older persons of all income levels, creed and races...."  Links to numerous affiliate organizations

International Assistance

U.K.'s HousingNet's Homelessness Links

Breadline (U.K.)  "....gives practical and emotional support to the unemployed, the homeless and the disadvantaged. It provides cheap wholesome food, counselling advice, shower facilities and a safe address for post...."

Cardiff Action for the Single Homeless (CASH) (U.K.)

Centrepoint  "30 years of housing young people at risk" (U.K.)

Emmaus U.K.  "Helping Homeless People Help Themselves"

Empty Homes Agency  "....an independent housing charity established in 1992. We exist to highlight the disgrace of empty, wasted and under used homes and property throughout England...."

Homeless International  

Hostels Online  
".... is for homeless people and/or those with a history of rough sleeping....a database of over 540 hostels for homeless people across London, with a further 350 hostels outside London...."

The Inclusive City: Urban Poverty Solutions

Info X-Change (Australia)  "....aims to assist in alleviating the distress of the homeless, disadvantaged, poor and powerless members of society by providing comprehensive information on the community support agencies and services available to them...."

Macedon (U.K.) "....is Nottingham's largest provider of emergency accommodation and supported housing for homeless people...."

Redwood house (U.K.) "....is a direct access hostel for homeless men aged 18 - 65...."

St. Annes's  (U.K.)".... To enable disadvantaged people to have the opportunity to secure and maintain the most suitable housing and to live as independent and full a life as possible... "

SHAH Housing Aid Centre  (U.K.)  "A decent, secure and affordable home should be everyone's right.... Helping homeless and badly-housed people in Hastings and Rother..."c

SHELTER (U.K.) "The National Campaign for Homeless People"

How to Make a Contribution to Help Feed a Hungry World

FreeDonation.com

GiveMeals.com  

DONATE FOR FREE AT:

The Hunger Site is the world's first "click-to-donate" site where more than 65 million visitors have donated more than 7,700 metric tons of free food to help feed the hungry. They have done this by visiting The Hunger Site daily and simply clicking a button. The donations of staple food, paid for by The Hunger Site's sponsors, are distributed to the world's hunger hot-spots by the United Nations World Food Programme, Mercy Corps International and America's Second Harvest.

The World Food Programme (WFP) "is the frontline United Nations organization fighting to eradicate world hunger -- whether it is the hunger that suddenly afflicts people fleeing ethnic conflict in Rwanda or Bosnia or the chronic hunger that affects the hungry poor in countries such as Bangladesh or India. WFP became operational in 1963 and is now the world's largest international food aid organization. Last year WFP helped feed 86 million people including more than half of the world's refugees and internally displaced people. WFP has emergency and development projects in 82 countries worldwide and a staff of more than 5,000. Here's how to contribute.

America's Second Harvest.

Bread for the World

Catholic Relief Services

Feinstein Foundation has a printable petition to end hunger

Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger