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Santa Cruz County, California

Free help in Santa Cruz County, California

Find a food pantry open this week
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87confirmed listings
11towns covered
56food pantries and meal programs
October 9last checked

This week

Food this week in Santa Cruz County

Pick a day to see which pantries are open and when. Times come from each pantry's confirmed schedule. Tap Call to reach them.

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MONTEREYSANTA CLARASAN MATEOSAN BENITO SANTA CRUZ COUNTY Anderson Reservoir Santa CruzWatsonvilleScotts ValleyCapitola
California
87 places

    Some safety programs do not share an address, so they are not on the map. They are listed under Safety below.

    FoodHousingHealthRecoveryVeteransLegalSafetyOffices

    Food pantries and meals56

    Santa Cruz

    Grey Bears

    Senior Box (60 and older, income limits apply), Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner. Serves Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz County residents age 55+ or Disabled and 50+.

    Hours
    Senior Box (60 and older, income limits apply): Thursday and Friday, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Food pantry: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Food pantry: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11:20 AM to 12:30 PM
    Address
    2710 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

    Call first. Hours come from the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    Call (831) 479-1055DirectionsWebsite
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Watsonville

    Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    4th Tuesday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
    Address
    411 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA 95076

    Call first. Hours come from the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    Call (831) 728-6445DirectionsWebsite
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Watsonville

    Watsonville Prep School

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Friday, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    407 Main Street, Watsonville, CA 95076

    Call first. Hours come from the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County map, and some days vary. Please call to confirm before you go.

    Call (831) 274-3222DirectionsWebsite
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Freedom

    Cornerstone Food Pantry

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner. Serves We serve clients mostly in the Freedom and Watsonville area.. Bring proof of identification.

    Hours
    Thursday, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM
    Address
    302 Carey Ave, Freedom, CA 95019

    Call first. Hours come from the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County map. Please call to confirm before you go.

    Call (831) 331-9120Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Watsonvillle

    Salud Para La Gente

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Tuesday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (every other week)
    Address
    45 Nielson St., Watsonvillle, CA 95076

    Call first. Hours come from the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County map, and some days vary. Please call to confirm before you go.

    Call (831) 763-3431DirectionsWebsite
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Santa Cruz

    Community Connection, Santa Cruz

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
    Address
    300 Harvey West Blvd., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. For questions, call the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at 831-722-7110.

    Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Santa Cruz

    Del Mar Elementary School

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Wednesday, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    1959 Merrill St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. For questions, call the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at 831-722-7110.

    Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Santa Cruz

    Elizabeth Oaks Apartments

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Wednesday, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    1460 Jose Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. For questions, call the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at 831-722-7110.

    Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Santa Cruz

    Holy Cross Church Pantry

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Sunday, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
    Address
    210 High St Rm 104, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. For questions, call the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at 831-722-7110.

    Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Santa Cruz

    Live Oak Elementary School

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Thursday, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    1916 Capitola Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. For questions, call the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at 831-722-7110.

    Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Santa Cruz

    Neary Lagoon Apartments

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Thursday, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    81 Chestnut St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. For questions, call the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at 831-722-7110.

    Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Santa Cruz

    Nueva Vista Apartments

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Tuesday, 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM (last week of the month only)
    Address
    136 Leibrandt Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. For questions, call the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at 831-722-7110.

    Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Santa Cruz

    Salvation Army Santa Cruz Corps

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
    Address
    721 Laurel St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. For questions, call the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at 831-722-7110.

    Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update
    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz Bible Church

    Food pantry, a Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County partner.

    Hours
    Tuesday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Thursday, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
    Address
    440 Frederick St., Santa Cruz, CA 95063

    Call first. No phone is listed for this site. For questions, call the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County at 831-722-7110.

    Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County.Suggest an update

    See all 56 food listings in Santa Cruz County →

    Housing1

    Health and dental22

    Santa Cruz

    Coral Street Recuperative Care Center

    Community health center run by County of Santa Cruz. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    115 Coral St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 454-2080Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Santa Cruz

    Dientes Community Dental Care, Capitola Road

    Community health center run by County of Santa Cruz. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1500 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 276-7010Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Santa Cruz

    Dientes Community Dental Clinic

    Community health center run by County of Santa Cruz. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 464-5409DirectionsWebsite
    See all days, hours and details
    Santa Cruz

    East Cliff Family Health Center

    Community health center run by Santa Cruz Community Health Centers. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1510 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 427-3500Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Santa Cruz

    Homeless Persons' Health Project Coral Street Clinic

    Community health center run by County of Santa Cruz. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    115A Coral St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 454-2080DirectionsWebsite
    See all days, hours and details
    Santa Cruz

    North County Mental Health

    Community health center run by County of Santa Cruz. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1400 Emeline Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 454-4170DirectionsWebsite
    See all days, hours and details
    Santa Cruz

    Recuperative Care Center-Salt Air Lodge

    Community health center run by County of Santa Cruz. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    510 Leibrandt Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 454-2080Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz Women's Health Center

    Community health center run by Santa Cruz Community Health Centers. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    250 Locust St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 427-3582Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Watsonville

    Clinica del Valle del Pajaro

    Community health center run by Salud Para la Gente. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    45 Neilson St, Watsonville, CA 95076

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 728-8250DirectionsWebsite
    See all days, hours and details
    Watsonville

    Dientes Community Dental Care , Penny Lane

    Community health center run by County of Santa Cruz. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    55 Penny Ln, Suite 103, Watsonville, CA 95076

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 218-5341Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Watsonville

    Watsonville Homeless Health Center

    Community health center run by County of Santa Cruz. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    1430 Freedom Blvd STE C, Watsonville, CA 95076

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 454-2080Directions
    See all days, hours and details
    Ben Lomond

    Santa Cruz Mountain Health Center 2

    Community health center run by Santa Cruz Community Health Centers. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

    Hours
    Please call for hours
    Address
    231 Main St STE A, Ben Lomond, CA 95005

    Call first. Hours are not published on an official page we could check. Call first.

    Call (831) 427-3500Directions
    See all days, hours and details

    Recovery and mental health help3

    Watsonville

    The Salvation Army Watsonville Corps Community Center

    Salvation Army location that lists help for seniors, family services, food help, addiction recovery and disaster relief. Help depends on funding and need, so call first to ask what is available now and what to bring.

    Hours
    Monday-Friday 9:00am - 12:30pm. , 1:00pm - 4:30pm
    Address
    214 Union Street, Watsonville, CA 95076

    Call first. Call first: help depends on funding and each person's situation.

    Call (831) 724-3922DirectionsWebsite
    See all days, hours and details
    Checked October 9, 2026. Source: The Salvation Army location finder.Suggest an update

    Veterans services2

    Safety and crisis help1

    Government offices1

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    Help by town

    Santa Cruz30 placesWatsonville28 placesFreedom7 placesAptos3 placesScotts Valley3 placesBen Lomond2 placesCapitola2 placesWatsonvillle2 placesDavenport1 placeFelton1 placeSoquel1 place

    Help by type

    Food pantries and meals56 placesHealth and dental22 placesRecovery and mental health help3 placesVeterans services2 placesSafety and crisis help2 places

    Help in nearby counties

    Santa Clara County73 placesMonterey County31 placesSan Mateo County43 placesSan Benito County10 places

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    How HelpByState works

    Checked, dated and corrected by neighbors

    1. 1

      Matched to the source

      A listing goes up only after its phone and its address or hours match the organization's own page, or an official list.

    2. 2

      Dated on every card

      Each card shows the day we checked it. If sources disagree, we say call first instead of guessing.

    3. 3

      Fixed by the community

      See something wrong, or know a place we missed? Send it in. Nothing changes until we have checked it.

    Neighbors helping neighbors

    Help is closer than you think in Santa Cruz County

    A volunteer hands a bag of fresh groceries to a mother holding her daughter's hand
    Free groceriesFood banks and pantries give food to anyone who needs it.
    A helper smiles as she helps an older man fill out a form
    Someone to help you applyState offices and local programs help with food stamps, bills and more.
    Kids laughing together over a free meal with a grandmother at a community center
    Meals and care for kidsFree meals, clinics and family programs, close to home.

    Questions people ask

    Where can I get free food in Santa Cruz County, California?

    We have confirmed 56 places that can help in Santa Cruz County: Grey Bears in Santa Cruz (Senior Box 60 and older, income limits apply: Thursday and Friday, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Food pantry: Monday...), (831) 479-1055, call first; Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church in Watsonville (1st Thursday, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM), (831) 722-5490, call first; Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance in Watsonville (4th Tuesday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM), (831) 728-6445, call first. 53 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I get housing help in Santa Cruz County, California?

    We have confirmed one place that can help in Santa Cruz County: Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz in Capitola, (831) 454-9455. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I find a free or low-cost clinic in Santa Cruz County, California?

    We have confirmed 22 places that can help in Santa Cruz County: Coral Street Recuperative Care Center in Santa Cruz, (831) 454-2080, call first; Dientes Community Dental Care, Capitola Road in Santa Cruz, (831) 276-7010, call first; Dientes Community Dental Clinic in Santa Cruz, (831) 464-5409, call first. 19 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Santa Cruz County, California?

    We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Santa Cruz County: The Salvation Army Watsonville Corps Community Center (Monday-Friday 9:00am - 12:30pm. , 1:00pm - 4:30pm), (831) 724-3922, call first; 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), 988; SAMHSA National Helpline (Open 24 hours a day, every day), (800) 662-4357. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Where can I get help with veterans benefits in Santa Cruz County, California?

    We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Santa Cruz County: Veterans Crisis Line (Open 24 hours a day, every day), 988; VA national phone lines (Benefits line, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern), (800) 827-1000. A veteran in crisis can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

    Where can I get free legal help in Santa Cruz County, California?

    We have confirmed one place that can help in Santa Cruz County: California Rural Legal Assistance, (800) 337-0690. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.

    Is HelpByState free to use?

    Yes. There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to pay. Every listing is free, and so is adding or correcting one.

    Why do some listings say call first?

    Church and community pantries often change days, move, or close for a holiday. When the sources we checked disagree, or an organization does not publish its hours, we say so instead of guessing. A quick call saves a trip.

    I run a pantry or a program. How do I get listed or fix our hours?

    Use the Add a listing or Suggest an update form. We confirm it against your own page or contact you, then change the listing. It is free.

    Is this the same as 2-1-1?

    No. 2-1-1 is a statewide phone line and database run by the state network. HelpByState is an independent, county-by-county directory that shows the date each listing was checked. If you want to talk to a person, dial 2-1-1.

    Where do the hours and phone numbers come from?

    From each organization's own website or page, official sources such as housing authority and WIC clinic lists, and the public Find Food map of the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County. We list the source on every card.

    Something missing, or out of date?

    If you run a pantry or program, or you saw a listing that is wrong, tell us. We check every message against the organization's own page before anything changes.

    Add a listingSuggest an update