Resources Within Walking Distance of King Library For Those In Need

San José Public Library is committed to supporting the needs of all community members. To help connect you or your loved ones to needed resources, below you will find a guide to Resources Within Walking Distance of King Library For Those in Need, updated in October 2026.

Clothing

• Front Door Communities: For women, Mon, Wed, Fri - Lifted Spirits Program 11:00 am - 1:00pm, 81 N 2nd Street, 408-600-6654, frontdoorcomsj@gmail.com 

• Kinship, Adoptive, & Foster Parent Association Resource Center: For families, Mon-Thu 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Please call to request children clothes: for ages 0-18yrs. 373 W. Julian Street, 408-501-6365 

• Sacred Heart Community Services: For all. Clothes Closet: Mon, Wed, Thu 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Tue 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Browse and shop twice per month for high-quality clothing, shoes, accessories, and linens. Each individual can take home up to 5 articles of clothing for free. 1381 South 1st St, 408-278-2160 

Food

• Salvation Army: For all, Monday through Friday - Prepared Meals: Breakfast is served from 7:15 am - 8:00 am, Dinner, 5:15pm – 6:00 PM, Grocery Distribution at 9:00am, 359 N. 4th Street, 408-282-1175 

• John XXIII: Seniors, age 60 and over, Mon-Fri at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Hot lunches, 195 East San Fernando Street 

• John XXIII: For all, Mon-Fri from 9:45 AM - 12:00 PM & 1:30 - 5:00 PM, cold meals & snacks. 195 East San Fernando Street. Distributed at side window – on 5th Street 

• Recovery Cafe: For members, Mon-Fri, breakfast 10:00 - 11:00 AM, Lunch at 12:30 PM, latte hour at 2:30 PM (New member orientation happens each Monday at 10:30 AM – arrive at 10:00 AM to sign in and get breakfast, plan to stay till 11:30 AM) 80 South 5th Street 408-294-2963 

• Sacred Heart Community Services: For all, groceries and no-prep food, Mon, Wed, Thu 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Tue 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. 

• Second Harvest Food Bank’s Food Connection Toll-Free Line: 1-800-984-3663*
  *Click on the link or call this number to find the closest food distribution site. 

Health & Medicine

• Better Health Pharmacy: For all, Tue-Fri 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM, Sat 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. 725 E. Santa Clara Street, Suite 202 408-794-0564 The first and only dedicated drug donation pharmacy in California. They receive unused, unopened, and unexpired medications from licensed healthcare facilities, and dispense the drugs at no cost to their patients who have a valid prescription.  

• Gardner Health Services : Provides a variety of preventive and primary healthcare services to people experiencing homelessness. 

Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM         Number: 408.935.3908 

Gardner Health Center
195 East Virginia Street

Gardner Downtown Health Center
725 E. Santa Clara St., Ste. 103

St. James Health Center
55 East Julian Street

Showers & Laundry

• Bill Wilson Drop-In Center: Youth, ages 18 – 25 (Children 12 - 17 will be referred to Bill W. on the Alameda) Monday through Fridays 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM,  693 South 2nd Street, 408-925-0231 

• Dignity on Wheels full locations and schedule. 

Goodwill Industries: 1080 N. 7th St. Mondays 1:00-5:30 PM 

Backesto Park: 551 N 13th St. Tuesdays, Thursdays 8:00 AM-12:30 PM 

Martha's Kitchen: 749 Story Road, Wednesdays 2:30-7:00 PM 

Northside Community Center: 488 N 6th St, Fridays 8:00 AM-12:30 PM 

Shelter

• Bill Wilson Drop-In Center: Youth, ages 18 - 25 (Children 12-17 will be referred to Bill W. on the Alameda) Everyday: 10:00am – 3:00pm for Intakes. 693 South 2nd Street 408-925-0231 Food, clothing, personal care, lockers, access to phones, computers, washers & dryers 

• To get started, call the Here4You Call Center 9am-7pm at 408-385-2400*
  * this is the Here4you centralized shelter hotline. This number is the centralized way to refer folks to ALL county-wide housing programs (including emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, rapid-rehousing, and temporary housing). They must be enrolled in the county-wide coordinated entry system (a.k.a. Homeless Management Information System -HMIS) to be assessed for risk, and referred accordingly. Read more about the coordinated entry system. 

Downtown Organizations Serving the Homeless Community

• The United Effort Organization: King Library, 3rd Floor rooms 324 & 326,150 East San Fernando St. Check our Partner Services page for hours. 650-996-9607

Other

• Homelessness Prevention System (HPS) The HPS program provides financial assistance to low-income families or individuals who are at risk of losing their housing, including: temporary financial assistance, legal support, case management and other services. Click the link for specific eligibility requirements and appropriate agencies to reach out to for this program. 

• City of San José Affordable Housing Listings 

• Homeward Bound is a program that helps unhoused individuals stabilize their lives by reconnecting them with family or friends who can provide housing and support. Contact City staff at homewardbound@sanjoseca.gov. 

Additional Resource Lists

• City of San José Housing Department’s Homeless Services Guide: English Guide | Guia en Espanol  |Tài liệu hướng dẫn bằng tiếng Việt, opens a new window
• NAMI Santa Clara County Resource Guide

As an institution, the San José Public Library prides itself on the ability to function as a community resource. We hope that this resource guide can serve as a useful tool.

If you or someone you know needs further assistance, you are invited to seek help through:

Social Work in the Library

Social Work in the Library is an SJPL initiative that offers support to all community members, especially people experiencing homelessness. Our specialist and partners can meet with you for a free consultation for free social service information and referrals.

See additional SJPL events offering community support and programs on health and wellness