5Cities Homeless Coalition (5CHC)

They provide limited funds to pay for bills, or for goods or services to address their immediate needs such as utilities, transportation, auto repairs, clothing, and employment readiness. No funds are given directly to the individual applicant; rather bills are paid or goods are purchased on their behalf.

Website:5chc.org

Location:100 South 4th St., Grover Beach

Warming Center:1023 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande

Phone:805-574-1638

805-202-3615 (warming center hotline)

805-295-1501 (warming center)

805-295-1501 (warming center automatic text updates)

Email: info@5chc.org  or shelter@5chc.org (warming center)

Notes: operates Cabins for Change and “Balay Ko on Barka” a.k.a. “My Home for Hope” operates “Homeless Youth Outreach” entry-point for the Coordinated Entry System (CES) has an Immediate Needs program that helps low-income families and individuals in need in the Five Cities area.

Green Pastures

Operated by First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo, offers micro-grants for financial needs such as utility bills and medical bills, with a focus on helping people stay in their homes. (Limit is $100)

Location: 981 Marsh St., SLO (corner Morro & Marsh)

Phone: 805.543.5451

Open the 1st & 3rd Wednesday  at 1 p.m. (lottery drawing for 8 clients at 1 pm)

Provides help with utility and vehicle assistance, gas vouchers, and other practical help.

• For utilities, please make sure to have your bill and valid form of ID.

• Provide hard copies of your current and valid vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and drivers license. If you need assistance with one of those items please bring all other current and valid forms possible.

*Green Pastures is unable to consider requests for rent, storage, fines, or court costs.

St. Patrick’s Church

in Arroyo Grande has limited discretionary funds for specific emergency needs such as utility payments or partial rent.

‍ ‍Website:stpatsag.org

Location:501 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande

Phone:805-489-2680

Email:info@stpatsag.org

Hours:

Office: M/Tu/Th 9am–5pm (closed Noon–1:30pm), W 9:30am–5pm (closed Noon–1:30pm)

Food pantry: Tu/W/Th 4–5pm

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

can help with an emergency such as a threatened utility cut-off or a housing eviction notice, or a job-threatening transportation issue. They may also be able to help you with a rental deposit.

Location:751 Palm St., SLO

Phone:805-544-7041

Hours:

Tuesdays at Prado Day Center (40 Prado Rd., SLO): 2–3:30pm

Thursdays at Mission San Luis Obispo (751 Palm St., SLO): by appointment only call and leave a call back number.)

• Rental assistance (eviction notice), rental deposits, utilities (shut off notice), other financial needs (on a case-by-case basis, $200 or less)

Bus Passes (limited number)

Salvation Army

provides some rent and utility assistance, when funds are available, from its Arroyo Grande service center. Call to make an appointment.

Website:

salvationarmyusa.org/usa-western-territory

sanluisobispo.salvationarmy.org

• 815 Islay St., SLO        805-544-2401         W/F 10am–Noon, Th. 2–4pm

• 1550 W. Branch St., AG      805-481-0278             M/W/F 10am–2pm

• 711 Paso Robles St., Paso Robles        805-238-9591             

How to access: For the food pantry, you must live in the area and you must register with a photo ID on your first visit.

Note: the SLO location operates a “Rapid Rehousing Program”

Loaves & Fishes (Paso Robles)

can help people of limited means with groceries and other services. Use the contact form on their website to request an appointment.

Website:loavesandfishespaso.org

Location:2650 Spring St., Paso Robles

Phone:805-238-4742

Hours: M–Th 2pm–4pm, or by appointment

Note: Not affiliated with Loaves & Fishes (Atascadero)

Los Osos Cares

Resource Center can give immediate needs assistance to people in Los Osos, Morro Bay, and Cayucos.

Website:losososcares.com

Location: Sunnyside School, 800 Manzanita Dr., Room 18, Los Osos

Community Dinners: 2180 Palisades Ave., Los Osos

Phone:805-592-2701

Email:wecareinlososos@gmail.com

Hours: Tu/W/Th 1–3pm

Community Dinners: Wednesdays 5–6pm

Notes: Hosts Community Dinner at South Bay Community Center

Jewish Family Services

offers once-per-year gasoline assistance for people in SLO County who need help with transportation costs. To apply for gasoline from this program, submit an application on their website. You must have a valid drivers license, vehicle registration, and auto insurance.

Website:jccslo.com/jewish-family-services.html

How to access: Use the online form; they cannot process assistance requests by phone or email.

Catholic Charities

operates a “Financial Stability Services” program which can provide financial resources to low-income people in financial crisis.

Website:catholiccharitiesdom.org

Immigration and Citizenship Program  and Tattoo Removal Program

Locations:

Main office:3250 S. Higuera St. #D, SLO

Financial assistance: 3592 Broad Street #104, SLO

Behind the Mission: 715 Palm St., SLO

Paso Robles satellite: St. Rose of Lima Church, 642 Trigo Ln., Paso Robles

Phone:805-541-9110

Paso Robles: 805-541-9120 (to schedule appointments)

Immigration and Citizenship Program: 831-722-2675

Tattoo Removal:831-316-9121 (Note: Tattoo removal office is in Santa Cruz, not SLO)

Hours: SLO offices: M–F 8am–5pm (call to confirm hours for specific location)

Paso Robles: Second Wednesday of every month, 1–5pm

Free Clothes

• 40 Prado Homeless Services Center has some free clothing available, as does the associated Outreach and Engagement Services.

• Los Osos Cares Resource Center can give eligible people vouchers to purchase clothing with. Clothing Help

• El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) has clothing, shoes, blankets, and sleeping bags for people who come to its shower program (M–F 4–5:30pm at their Atascadero and Paso Robles locations).

• Shower the People gives you new socks, underwear, and a t-shirt.

Free Clothes for Kids

• Children’s Resource Network of the Central Coast has free clothing (and school supplies, books, diapers, and other basic resources) for children from birth to age 18. Call their hotline, use the “Place a Request” form on their website, or visit during walk-in hours. They also operate the “Traveling Children’s Closet,” “The Teen’s Closet,” and “Outreach Apparel” at which schoolchildren can get clothes and other supplies they need.

• Assistance League of SLO County operates the “Operation School Bell” program, which gives needy students credits with which they can shop for new retail school clothes. Ask authorities at the child’s school to refer them to the program.

• Coats for Kids of SLO County holds a once-a-year (December) distribution in Paso Robles of cold-weather clothes like coats, jackets, sweaters, and sweatshirts. See their website for details on the next distribution, or use their contact form or call 805-703-1762 with questions.

Laundry

• 40 Prado Homeless Services Center offers free laundry facilities every day from 8am to 4pm. You do not have to be staying overnight there to use the laundry facilities. 

• El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) opens the laundry facility at its Paso Robles location every Wednesday from 10am–6pm, at which outreach clients can do a single load of laundry for free (they provide detergent).

• Laundry Love operates at a Los Osos commercial laundry on the last Wednesday of the month (check their website for the latest schedule). They allow anyone to do two free loads of laundry (five loads for a family), plus bedding. They provide the coins to feed the machines and the laundry detergent and dryer sheets.

Food pantries give away unprepared food (such as fresh produce, canned goods, and packaged food). Some pantries have special no cook, no refrigeration, ready-to-eat options for people who do not have access to kitchens. Some give you a pre-prepared box or bag of food, others allow you to select particular items you want.

Arroyo Grande           

-Equippers Church: 1052 E. Grand Ave., second Saturday, 10–11am

-Nipomo Community Presbyterian:Fridays 12:45–1:30pm

-Saint Patrick’s Church: (South County residents only; bring ID) Tuesday–Thursday 4–5pm

-Salvation Army: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 10am–12

Atascadero

-Legacy Church: Pantry Thursdays 1–2pm

- “ALF” a.k.a. Loaves and Fishes:  (North County residents only) Monday–Friday 1–3pm

-Refuge Church: on Tuesday 5–6pm and Wednesday from 6–6:30pm, or by appt.

-Restoration Church: First Saturday of the month 1–2:30pm

Cal Poly (for Cal Poly students and staff)

-Cal Poly Food Pantry: Monday–Friday 8:30am–6pm

Cambria

-Cambria Vineyard Church: second & fourth Thursday Noon–2pm

Cayucos

-Cayucos Community Church: Wednesdays 10:30–11am

-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church: Fridays 10am–Noon (Thursdays 7:30–7:45 by appt.)

Creston

-Creston Community Church: 5170 O’Donovan Rd. On the first, second, third, and fifth Thursdays 3:30–5:30pm

Cuesta College (must be a Cuesta student)

-Cougar Food Pantry  Monday–Friday 9am–4:30pm

Grover Beach

-Five Cities Christian Women: Food Pantry (bring photo ID) Monday–Friday 2–3:30pm

Los Osos     

-King’s Cupboard at El Morro Church: Tuesdays 8–10am

-South Bay Seniors People Helping People: Wednesdays 9:30–10:30am

-Trinity United Methodist Church: Tuesdays & Fridays 10am–Noon

Morro Bay

-Morro Bay Lions Foundation: Mondays 3:45–5pm

-Open Arms Pantry at Rock Harbor: Saturdays 9:30–10:30am

Nipomo

-Nipomo Food Basket:(Nipomo residents only) M/Tu/Th/F 10am–1pm

-Santa Maria Valley Hispanic Church: Wednesdays 7–8pm

-Nipomo High School: 525 N. Thompson Ave. On the second and fourth Tuesday, 4:30–6pm

Paso Robles

-Cuesta College: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm

-Loaves and Fishes: Monday–Thursday 2–4pm (or by appt.)

-Senior Center (for seniors): second & fourth Tuesday 9:30–11am

 -Salvation Army (bring photo ID): Tuesdays 10–11am

 -The Link: 665 26th St., 805-503-9638 M–Th 9am–3pm; F 9am–1pm

Pismo Beach

-New Life U-Pick Pantry: (1 visit per household per week; bring photo ID) Tu 6–7:30pm, W 10am–Noon, Th 1:30–3:30pm

San Miguel

-Lillian Larsen Elementary: 1601 L. St. The second and fourth Wednesday, 4:30–6pm

SLO

-Agape Church: Sundays Noon–12:30pm

-Arise Central Coast: Mondays 2:30–4:30pm

-Breakthrough Ministry: 4251 South Higuera #200, 805-234-7441 Tuesdays 2–3pm, or by appt.

-GALA Pride & Diversity Center: Monday–Friday 10am–3pm

-Grace Central Coast “God’s Storehouse”: Saturdays 8:30–9:15am

-Outreach and Engagement Services: Monday–Friday 10am–3pm

-Renovate Church: Mondays 4–6pm

-Salvation Army (bring photo ID): W/F 10am–Noon, Th 2–4pm

-SLO Food Bank: Mon, Wed, Fri Noon–5pm

-Unitarian Universalists San Luis Obispo “We Care Food Share”: Wednesdays 3–4:30pm

-Veterans Services (for veterans only): Daily 8am–5pm

-Zion Lutheran Church: Wednesdays 9:30–11:30am

• Shower the Peopleoffers free showers from its mobile shower trailers several times a week in several locations in SLO city and in Grover Beach. They provide towels and soap. Guests also receive free toiletries, and new socks, underwear, and t-shirts. They operate rain-or-shine all year long including holidays.

Sun., 12:30–3:30pm at the SLO County Library 995 Palm St., SLO

Tues., 10–1 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church 2201 Lawton Ave., SLO

Wed., 10–1 pm at People’s Kitchen LifePoint Church 946 Rockaway Ave., Grover Beach

Thur., 10–1:00pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church 2201 Lawton Ave., SLO

Sat., 10 –1:00pm at United Church of Christ 11245 Los Osos Valley Rd., SLO

• 805 Street OutreachA similar program to Shower the People, which operates every Monday in Morro Bay. They also have clothing and food for guests.

Website: 805streetoutreach.org

Location: (office) 3118 Main St. #F, Morro Bay

Email: izzy@805streetoutreach.org

Location: Morro Bay Public Library parking lot, 625 Harbor St., Morro Bay

Hours: Every Monday, 12pm–3pm

• 40 Prado Homeless Services Center in SLO city has shower facilities that it makes available to both its overnight and its day guests. You do not have to be a resident there to use the showers.

• El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) 90 day Shelter

The Paso Robles location operates as an emergency warming center during adverse weather offers hot showers five evenings a week (M–F 4–5:30pm) to anyone in need at both their Atascadero and their Paso Robles locations. They give you toiletries, and they also have clothing, shoes, blankets, and sleeping bags.

Website:www.echoshelter.org

Locations:6370 Atascadero Ave., Atascadero‍ and ‍1134 Black Oak Dr., Paso Robles

Phone:805-462-FOOD

Email: wlewis@echoshelter.org

How to access:

•For transitional housing, contact ECHO to get on a waiting list; for dinner/showers/laundry, just attend on time

•Emergency shelter bed signup at the Paso Robles location only, 4:30–5:30pm

Notes:

•Dinner (also available to non-residents) at 5pm at both locations

•Showers (available to non-residents) M–F from 4–5:30pm at both locations

•Laundry (available to non-residents) W from 10am–6pm at the Paso location.