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Free Christmas assistance in Oakland and Alameda County. Several holiday assistance programs in Alameda County help low income and working poor families make it through the Christmas season.
There are resources, such as free meals, Christmas gifts or toys as well as food baskets passed out. The programs are administered throughout the year, including on Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Find where and how to get help at Christmas in Oakland California (as well as the county) below from Toys for Tots, Adopt a Family and Angel Tree. Most of the programs, in particular the Christmas ones as well as Toys for Tots, are for households with children.
Kids may get free gifts such as Legos, books, video games, stuffed animals and more. Or there may also be assistance for the homebound or elderly that living in a nursing home. In addition to free Christmas toys in the Oakland CA area, there are also thanksgiving dinners and meals. Thousands of struggling families in Alameda County use this services to help provide a toy or hot meal for their children during the holidays.
Food Assistance and Food Banks
In addition to the individual churches and charities, there is also a referral service run by the Alameda County Community Food Bank. They have a hotline in place that directs families to holiday additional meal sites or places that offer Adopt a Family, which is a source of gifts or toys. So there are options for residents in the city of Oakland California region.
Much of the food bank is also focused on serving free holiday dinners, or giving out ingredients. Find free Christmas dinner assistance programs Places for free Christmas gifts in Alameda County:
Food Assistance and Food Banks
ACCFB - Alameda County Community Food Bank: Address - 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, California. Phone – (510) 635-3663 in November to December. They operate from multiple sites. Most of the holiday assistance is in the form of free food or meals, including Turkeys at Thanksgiving, but they also offer a key referral service to soup kitchens and other charities.
Some of those groups may have toys or presents for Christmas. Viola Blythe Community Service Center of Newark 37365 Ash Street, Newark, CA. Phone - 510-794-3437 Help is for lower income residents of Newark, Fremont or Union City only. Proof of income and residency is required to get a free Thanksgiving or Christmas food basket or a small present for a child.
Badarikashrama (Budareek-ash-rama): Address: 15602 Maubert Avenue, San Leandro, California. Phone – 510-278-2444 Indian food for the holidays. The non-profit distributes free toys to children during December at select sites. The service is first come and first served until all gifts are passed out.
Faith-Based Emergency Assistance
Alameda County and Oakland Salvation Army
Faith-Based Emergency Assistance
centers provide assistance. Holiday programs include Adopt a Family, Angel Tree, free Christmas presents and Salvation Army offers other free holiday. Using the generosity of businesses and individuals, the faith based group tries to provide a Christmas gift to every needy child and a holiday meal or companionship.
Get food boxes, toys such as Legos or Barbie dolls, food boxes and more. The locations include the following.
Faith-Based Emergency Assistance
The main Salvation Army center is at 2794 Garden St, Oakland, CA 94601. For information on holiday or financial help, call (510) 383-9300 The Oakland Chinatown Corps and Community Center is at 379 12th St, Oakland, CA 94607. Call (510) 645-9710
Faith-Based Emergency Assistance
Hayward Salvation Army Center is on 430 A St, Hayward, CA 94541. Telephone - (510) 581-6444. Oakland office is at 601 Webster St, Oakland, California, telephone (510) 836-8971
Faith-Based Emergency Assistance
Salvation Army, 36700 Newark Blvd, Newark, CA 94560, telephone (510) 793-6319. There is also a a Thrift Store for gently used goods. Address is 1918 Park St, Alameda, CA, 94501 call (510) 769-7401. Other resources are offered too, including Angel Tree applications CityTeam Ministries 722 Washington Street, Oakland, California.
Phone – 510-452-3758 A wide variety of assistance programs are offered in Oakland CA. They give out free stuff, including clothes, Christmas or birthday toys, food boxes for the holidays and more. Or access a homeless shelter, clothing closet, or free food pantry for holiday help.
Berkley Holiday Fund: This non-profit gives out checks (gift cards) to qualified families. They can use the money to pay for Christmas presents, buy food or groceries, and acquire other holiday goods. Learn more or apply here. http://www.berkeleyholidayfund.org/ Central American Refugee Committee 4848 International Blvd, Oakland, California.
Phone – 510-461-4982. or 510-393-9546 or try 510) 533-8140 Immigrants can apply for a small number of free Christmas toys or clothing items. Volunteers are needed too, and there is an application process. Tree of Life Church 1637 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland, CA 94601. Call (510) 692-7601 Free Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners, meals, turkeys, and toys may be offered in Alameda County too.
OakLuv the charity has been spreading holiday job since the mod 2000s. They provide free Christmas gifts and meals to the unemployed, working poor, immigrants and others. Applications are offered in Spanish too. Using donations from the Oakland CA region (and corporations) parent, including single moms, can get toys, games, hygiene supplies, shoes and more for their kids.
Dial 510-833-6560. Grandmothers Who Help, Inc. They are based in Livermore, but assist the county. Call 925-727-4335: Food, free toys. social services, applications to Toys for Tots and more is offered. Chabad of The East Bay 1710 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703. Phone – 510-540-5824 This is a program for Jewish families in Berkeley.
Catholic Charities: The Oakland CA and Alameda County charity has many programs. Whether it is money to help pay bills, or free Thanksgiving or Christmas food baskets or toys for children, they help.
There is support for immigrants in Oakland CA non-English speakers as well. Or attend holiday parities, get a ham or Thanksgiving turkey or cultural holiday meal and other support. More on Catholic Charities in Oakland CA and Almeda County Berkeley Food Pantry 1600 Sacramento St, Berkeley, CA 94702.
Call (510) 525-2280 There are free groceries for holiday meals as well as small Christmas gifts, decorations for a tree, or toys for kids from low-income families. East Oakland Collective: Location is 7800 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94605. Call (510) 990-0775: They have a program known as Feed the Hood.
This provides help to the homeless, single moms, minorities and others in need. Get free catered meals, stocking stuffers for kids, groceries, small Christmas toys and other stuff for the holidays. Points of Light & Mighty Blaze 4292 Keller Ave. Oakland, CA 94605. Call 510-279-9125
Free Vehicle Programs
Most years, hundreds if not thousands of vulnerable, struggling people get help from the charity. Whether it is companionship, free meals for seniors or the vulnerable, or a small present or gift card, help is offered.
Ministerios Maranatha 330 Brush St, Oakland, CA 94607. Phone: (510) 836-5837 Get groceries, ingredients and more to make a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal. Turkeys, toppings, desserts, bread and other food stuff is offered. East Bay Asian Youth Center: The non-profit is at 2025 E 12th St, Oakland, CA 94606.
Phone: (510) 533-1092: Holiday programs are offered, including for Refugees, immigrants, Asians, and others. Free Christmas toys, games, shoes, books are combined with food assistance and meal programs.
Lend A Hand Foundation: Location is 8105 Capwell Dr, Oakland, CA 94621. Call (510) 553-1262: Bay Area Community Resources: Location 171 Carlos Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903. Dial (415) 444-5580: The non-profit has information on housing, food, holiday assistance, and more.
Clients range from the low income in Oakland California to the elderly, single moms and others. North Oakland Missionary Baptist Churc - Loaves and Fishes the charity is at 1060 32nd St, Emeryville, CA 94608. Call (510) 658-1761:
Free Vehicle Programs
A number of free programs are offered. There is a free food bank for year round or holiday food. Or children, infants and teens from struggling families can get presents, clothing, and gifts for Christmas. Find free games, sporting goods, matchbox cars, clothes such as school items or pants/dresses and other goods.
Loaves and Fishes tries to help the less fortunate. Free Toys for Tots in the Oakland California area and the county: As many as 50 non-profits and charities will often participate each year. They pass out free Christmas toys, presents, and more to teenagers, kids, and even newborns. Get everything from clothes to bicycles, games, tablets, and more.
Volunteers collect the items and coordinate Toys for Tots in the Alameda County region. Places to apply at for assistance include the following. Apply here. https://alameda-ca.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPageID=100&nPreviewInd=200&nRedirectInd=3 Christian Tabernacle Church: Holiday programs are run from 9330 Walnut St, Oakland, CA 94603.
Call (510) 430-9864 They have free food baskets, Christmas meals, and small gifts for kids in Oakland CA. They are also part of Toys for Tots. Get shoes, sneakers, games and more, including for homeless people. Healthy Black Families, Inc: Location is 3356 Adeline St, Berkeley, CA 94703. Call (510) 285-6689: Year round social services are offered, including free Christmas presents during the holidays.
Educational games, school supplies, stocking stuffers and other free gifts are offered. Additional Charities that help at the holidays are below. This also includes some churches in Alameda County. These places give out free gifts to the low-income,
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