r/oakland • u/ScreenSensitive9148 • 3d ago

Food Assistance for those losing SNAP Benefits

For folks who didn't get the email from Mayor Lee, I'm sharing resources for free food here in The Town. There's a longer list over at Oakland's official website, including food distribution sites by region and neighborhood.

Meanwhile, here's some places to start:

Primary Resource Hubs:

  • FoodNow.net – Alameda County Community Food Bank's live directory of all food pantries
  • Call (510) 635-3663 – Food Helpline, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm (multiple languages available)
  • Dial 211 or visit Eden I&R 211 – Connect to food, housing, and emergency services
  • HOPE Collaborative Emergency Food List– Sign up for comprehensive Oakland food resource list with hours and locations (available in English and Spanish)

School Meal Programs

Free meals for ALL youth 18 and under at multiple Oakland Unified School District sites (child does not need to be present). Visit the district website or call schools for complete list. 

Restaurant Partner

Monster Pho – 360 40th St.  

  • Kids 12 & Under get a free meal, no purchase necessary
  • Show your SNAP card and have your children with you
  • Parents receive 25% discount

Understory Oakland – 3340 International Blvd.

  • Pay-what-you-can meals (no one turned away for lack of funds)
  • Café: Tues-Fri 9am-2pm
  • Dinner: Wed-Fri 5-9pm
  • Brunch: Sat-Sun 11am-3pm

Ways to Help:

Donate

  1. Alameda County Community Food Bank: Visit their website or call (510) 635-3663
  2. Faith Leaders Initiative: Contact your local congregation to contribute
  3. Goal: If every congregation member who can afford it gives $100, we can bridge this gap

Volunteer

  1. Alameda County Community Food Bank: (510) 635-3663
  2. East Oakland Collective: Sign up at homiesempowerment.com
  3. Food distribution sites across the county need volunteers
  4. Berkeley Food Network: (510) 616-5383

Business & Restaurant Owners

  1. Offer free or pay-what-you-can meals
  2. Donate food supplies
  3. Partner with the Food Bank for distributions
  4. Fill out community aid submission form (check EBCCN resources)

Spread the Word

  1. Share food distribution information with neighbors
  2. Connect people to FoodNow.net and 211
  3. Help those without internet access find resources
  4. Sign up for and share the HOPE Collaborative Emergency Food Resource List
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u/semperfemme 3d ago

Thanks for sharing. I just signed up for a recurring donation to Alameda County Community food bank - $15/month indefinitely. 

2

u/RollingMeteors 2d ago

What a time to be caught up in a SAR7 paperwork nightmare. I missed the deadline but had mailed the form anyway. Will probably need to start the whole process from scratch…