Emergency Assistance

One CSA client walks three miles each day, with her toddler, to the Food and Nutrition Center so she can get fresh fruits and vegetables for her family and storybooks for her children.

CSA's Emergency Assistance program offers food, limited rental, and financial support to those with immediate needs. For many CSA clients, financial resources are already extremely limited. An expense as seemingly insignificant as a car repair or an unplanned medical bill can often be enough to stretch them beyond their means.

Our Emergency Assistance program is designed to provide vital resources to clients in crisis. Our case workers assess each situation and determine immediate needs, whether that comes in the form of providing temporary shelter or one-time emergency financial assistance to help pay rent or PG&E bills for the month. Each client is assisted with household budgeting to help plan for a future of financial independence.

When money is short, food is often where our clients cut back. CSA helps to reduce grocery costs so clients can put the money they have saved toward other critical household expenses. Our Food and Nutrition Center, a major component of the Emergency Assistance program, uses a grocery store atmosphere where clients can "shop" for their weekly food needs and learn healthy eating habits. Ever mindful of the changing demographics of our community, CSA strives to offer foods that are culturally relevant to our clients. Flexible operating hours accommodate our clients' schedules, making it more convenient for them to select food. The Center encourages clients to prepare nourishing meals that can be enjoyed as a family, which provides vital time together that nourishes both body and soul.

Emergency Assistance also offers help with the day-to-day details of life. Medical aid includes arranging for dental care and eyeglasses for children and sometimes for working adults who do not have insurance. We provide children with swimming pool passes in the summer and vouchers for new shoes at the beginning of the school year. For clients seeking work, we help fill out applications, fax resumes and, if necessary, distribute funds to purchase uniforms or workboots. Bus passes, gas vouchers and assistance with DMV fees ensure our clients have a way to get to those jobs.

For more information about Emergency Assistance, contact our Emergency Assistance Coordinator.

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Food & Nutrition Center Hours
Monday - Friday*: 8:30pm-4:00pm (closed 12:00 - 1:00 pm)

Please kindly arrive before 3:30 pm to drop off any donations.

*Tuesdays closed to clients, but open for donations