A free, no-appointment COVID-19 walk-in testing site has opened at the Lemon Grove Community Center (3146 School Lane). It is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m.
Click Here *JOB RESOURCES DURING COVID-19* click Here!
City of San Diego COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program helps families with low income in the City of San Diego who experience financial hardship due to COVID-19.
The program will provide one-time payments of up to $4,000 per qualifying household to help pay past-due and/or upcoming rent.
Payment will be made directly to the household’s landlord.
To be eligible for the program, households must meet the following criteria:
- The household has a City of San Diego address.
- Household income in January 2020, was at or below 60 percent of the San Diego Area Median Income.
- The household is NOT currently receiving any rental subsidies.
- The household is NOT currently a tenant of a property owned or managed by the San Diego Housing Commission.
- The household does NOT have savings to meet their financial need.
- The household has eligible immigration status (U.S. citizen/U.S. National, lawful permanent resident/conditional permanent resident, registry immigrant, a refugee/person seeking asylum or granted asylum).
- The household experienced hardship directly related to COVID-19.
All applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will have the opportunity to be selected to receive assistance.
Priority will be given to:
- Families with minor children
- Households with at least one person age 62 or older
Applications will be sorted and assigned numbers at random to identify the applicants who will receive help to pay their rent.
San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) staff will coordinate with selected applicants and their landlord or property management company to disburse payments. All payments will be made electronically.
SDHC administers this program on behalf of the City of San Diego.
Economic Assistance for San Diego Businesses Affected by COVID-19
To ensure the resiliency of local businesses and assist in job retention, the City of San Diego has established a Small Business Relief Fund (SBRF) to provide grants and forgivable or low- to zero-interest-rate loans to eligible small businesses for working capital. The goal of the SBRF is to help businesses retain employees and sustain continuity of business operations impacted by federal, California, San Diego County and local emergency declarations regarding COVID-19. Approximately $6.1 million is available in the SBRF, which is being administered by the City of San Diego Economic Development Department.
Financial assistance, in the form of grants and loans, will range from $10,000 to $20,000 and will be allocated to eligible, qualified small businesses based on the availability of funds, program guidelines and the submission of all required information and supporting documentation.
Businesses that are NOT eligible to request or receive SBRF financial assistance include, but are not limited to:
- Lending and investment institutions and insurance companies
- Golf courses, race tracks or gambling facilities
- Nonprofit entities
- Businesses engaged in any illegal activity per local, state or federal regulations with federal regulations taking precedence over local or state regulations.
- Home-based businesses
- Chain stores
- Businesses with more than 100 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) employees as of Feb. 28, 2020.
How to Apply
A Small Business Relief Fund Application will be posted on Friday, March 27, 2020 at 5 p.m. PT. The online completion of this form will assist the Economic Development Department staff is assessing the needs of your business and connecting you with the most appropriate resources.
Additional Economic Resources
Businesses are advised to reach out to their nearest Small Business Development Center(link is external) (SBDC), which has developed the Small Business Survival Resources Guide(link is external) to help business owners navigate through the chaos COVID-19 is having on our communities. Download it here(link is external).
Ongoing Food Distributions
Community Through Hope Eucalyptus Park 436 C St, Chula Vista, CA 91910 .
Food Distributions Events
Available Food Resources
Senior Meal Delivery and Distributions
San Diego Food Bank’s Senior Food Program is a federal program that provides monthly supplemental food packages to income-eligible senior citizens ages 60 and over. The Food Bank administers the program and distributes USDA-provided food at distribution sites every month, throughout San Diego County. Participants must meet income requirements and provide proof of eligibility (e.g., valid identification with date of birth and proof of address, like utility, water, phone Bill). To verify eligibility, visit the Food Bank’s website or call 1-866-350- 3663.
Great Plates Delivered: Home Meals for Seniors serves 3 meals per day for older adults 65+ and those 60-64 with certain health conditions. For full eligibility requirements and apply online, visit: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ais/greatplates/programeligibilitycriteria.html
Jewish Family Services (JFS) offers mobile delivery of meals on a sliding scale. This service is available to seniors and younger adults with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from leaving their home. Meals are prepared daily in the JFS onsite kitchen. To increased demand, JFS has transitioned the kitchen to be non-kosher until further notice. JFS has procured pre-made kosher meals for those who require them. JFS also offers low-sodium, gluten-free and vegetarian options. Contact (858) 637-3210 for more information.
Meals on Wheels continues their delivery meal services with COVID-19 precautions in place. Anyone over the age of 60 may receive meals and friendly visits. There are no socio-economic requirements. Meals on Wheels San Diego County charges a onetime, non-refundable fee of $35 to begin meal delivery service. The program accepts CalFresh EBT cards (SNAP) for meal payments. Meals on Wheels San Diego County subsidizes 60% of the costs for meals, delivery, and other services provided regardless of a senior’s ability to pay. To enroll, call: Metro San Diego Service Center: (619) 295-9501 or South County Service Center: (619) 420-2782
Thanksgiving and Community Meal Services
Great Plates 2.0: Dinner Delivered
Serves one hearty meal (“dinner”) per day to adults of all ages (18+) with certain health conditions or disabilities. For full eligibility requirements and apply online, visit: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ais/greatplates/programeligibilitycriteria.html
Catholic Charities
In partnership with the Diocese of San Diego, Catholic Charities created the Emergency Food Distribution Network to distribute food through drive-through food pantries and digital choice home-delivered food package pick-ups from distribution sites every week. To verify income eligibility, place orders, view a list of distribution sites, etc., visit: www.ccdsd.org/food-pick-up
The San Diego Food Bank
Food distribution programs will continue to serve those in need throughout the duration of the Coronavirus crisis. Please refer to each program list below for additional information:
- Super Pantries are food distribution hubs located across San Diego County that offer both contactless “drive-thru” and “walk-up” food distribution services. All Super Pantries are open for food distribution a minimum of 3 days per week. Individuals and families in need of food assistance can visit your nearest Super Pantry during opening hours to receive emergency groceries and resources.
- The San Diego Food Bank’s Emergency Food Assistance Program distributes emergency food packages at 90 different locations across San Diego County every month. The majority of the food distributed at these sites includes nonperishable and shelf-stable food items. To qualify for this program, your household must meet federal income guidelines (listed in the document of distribution locations).
- The Neighborhood Food Distribution Program distributes fresh produce and nonperishable food items at 19 distribution sites every month throughout San Diego County. The majority of the food distributed at these sites is fresh produce – fresh fruits and vegetables. ANYONE can receive food at a Neighborhood Distribution Program site. Identification cards ARE NOT required. There are NO INCOME restrictions for this program.
School Meal Services by School District
*Hours may change during Thanksgiving week, please contact your district for more information.
San Diego Unified School District
Food distribution school locations are closed November 25-27. All 81 locations will resume regular curbside service on Monday, November 30. Meals include a week’s worth of breakfast, lunch and evenings. Children do not need to be present to receive meals, but a photo of each child must be shown if they are not present at meal pick-up. For a list of serving locations, please visit: https://sandiegounified.org/departments/food_and_nutrition_services
There will be no congregate feeding; all food is to be taken and consumed offsite. Following social distancing guidelines is required. For pre-cooked frozen meals, see this frozen foods information sheet.
National School District
All children and teens ages 18 or younger can pick up free meals from any school site in the district. Meal distribution are on Tuesday and/or Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include breakfast and lunch for five days. To find out the day and time of your child’s distribution, please contact your school. A NSD School Directory can be found here.
Chula Vista Elementary School District
Free meals will be distributed one day a week and will include seven days’ worth of breakfast and lunch. At several District schools, all enrolled students may participate in the meal distribution program. Distribution locations are closed the week of November 23rd. For a list of current serving locations, please visit: https://www.cvesd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=412034 &pageId=14380792
San Ysidro School District
All children age 18 and younger can pick up multiple days’ worth of free breakfast and lunch at three school sites. The schedule will be as follows:
Time: Every Wednesday 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Willow Elementary, La Mirada Elementary
Time: Every Wednesday 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: San Ysidro Middle School
South Bay Union School District
Serving a week’s worth of meals to children and teens ages 18 or younger every Monday, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. out the District’s warehouse (1111 Saturn Blvd, San Diego). Menu items include tamales, pizza, chicken nuggets, fish sticks and more. Click here to learn about SBUSD’s mobile menu app. Distributions are closed on November 26th and 27th. Families are encouraged to call the district between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM to confirm distribution times.
Sweetwater Union School District
Free meal service available for all children and teens ages 18 or younger. All school serving locations operate on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Meal contains breakfast, lunch and fruit. For a complete list of serving locations, please visit http://nutrition.sweetwaterschools.org/
Where to Get Free Diapers in San Diego County
- Chula Vista
- Operation Promise: Distributing diapers and food. Mondays, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please bring ID. 630 Corte Maria Ave. Contact: 619-381-6717
- Community Through Hope: Open for drive-thru emergency services only. Distributing food and diapers. Call to check updated distribution times each week. On Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., line starts to form at 7:30 a.m. 465 C St. Contact: 619-915-7256
- Project 1:1: Beginning in May, third Thursday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Check Project 1:1’s Facebook for updates. 560 Palomar St. Contact: 619-777-6723
- Chula Vista WIC Office: WIC participants can call to pick up diapers, will need name and family ID # to pick up. 1655 Broadway #18. Contact: 888-942-7942
- San Diego
- Food Pantry at Chollas View Church: Food and diaper distribution. Open to all, first Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the third Friday of each month, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. 904 47th St. Contact: 858-663-0471
- San Ysidro
- San Ysidro Health Centers WIC Offices: Available to all. Call to check availability on diapers and sizes. 4494 Camino De La Plaza. Contact: 888-942-7942
For a full list of diaper distribution lists, you can call San Diego’s 211 hotline or visit their website or visit the San Diego Food and Diaper Bank’s website. Please call ahead to ensure that the service hours and locations are up to date and still operating.
To help families in San Diego County, click here to make a cash donation to the San Diego Diaper Bank.
You can find the latest information on a variety of available local and state resources on my website.