Nourishment & Essential Supports Team (NEST)

Food & Housing Resources

Food and Housing Assistance

If you are food or housing insecure let us know! We want to support you and get you connected with campus and community resources. If you or someone you know is housing insecure just make a referral through this form: Just Report It!

The NEST is committed to providing an empowering and supportive environment for all students, and this support extends far beyond the classroom. The Nourishment and Essential Supports Team (NEST) provides support and resources for students who are experiencing food and/or housing insecurity.

According to the #REALCOLLEGE survey conducted at Cabrillo College in 2018, approximately 40% of Cabrillo students had experienced food insecurity in the past month and 22% were homeless at some time in the past year. This shows that our community is not immune to these issues, and as such this team dedicates itself to helping students connect with the resources they need, as well as destigmatize conversations about such a widespread and prevalent issue.

placeholder
Contact the NEST
Elizabeth Cancino-Perez
NEST Housing Resource Specialist
Jazmin Fonseca Vargas
Aptos Food Resource Specialist
Karina Collins
NEST Watsonville Food Resource Specialist
Learn More ▼

Campus Food Resources

FALL 2023 FRESH MARKETS

Aptos Campus Library Plaza

11 am-12 Noon (Thursdays, dates will be posted in early August 2023)

Watsonville Campus Breezeway near building C walk up

11am-12pm (Mondays, dates will be posted in early August 2023)

Free grab-and-go snacks, socks, hygiene kits, and menstrual products and more!

Aptos Campus

Welcome Center, SAC East
Library, Building 1000
STEM Center, Building 800
Allied Health Building
Wellness Education Center
STARS program (Learning Communities), Building 500
VAPA, Building 5000
Gym, Building 1100
Computer Technology Center (CTC), Building 1400
Counseling, Building 100

Watsonville Campus

Integrated Learning Center Building A 2nd floor
Student Resource Center Building A 1st floor

Don't forget to bring a bag!

Aptos Campus Building 900, Room 902

OPEN Monday-Thursday 10am-3pm

Watsonville Building A 3rd Floor

OPEN Monday-Tuesday 9am-3pm & Wednesday-Thursday 9am-6pm

Rental or Utility Bill Assistance

Tenant Sanctuary - can explore what's going on and support the tenant in advocating for themselves.

Tenant Sanctuary

Offers a range of services to the community including utility bill payment application assistance and referrals to organizations that can help with other needs.

519 Main St Suite A, Watsonville, CA 95076

(831) 688-8840 | La Manzana

Offers various programs for low income households, including utility bill payment assistance, HEAP, Weatherization Program, and consumer education and advocacy.

135 Aviation Way # 7, Watsonville

(831) 761-7080 | Energy Services

Provides utility bill payment assistance, food pantry, tutoring, and clothing.

721 Laurel Street, Santa Cruz

(831)426-8365 | Santa Cruz Salvation Army

Provides emergency assistance for rent and utility bills and medical prescriptions.

210 High St., Santa Cruz

(831) 426-8365 | St. Vincent De Paul

Provides transitional housing for homeless families with children. Also offers a one-time rental payment assistance to prevent eviction or obtain housing.

700 Federick st. #301, Santa Cruz

(831) 458-7124 or (831) 728-9791 | Fit Santa Cruz

Details internet plans and technology programs available to low-income individuals and families.

In My Area

Community Food Resources

Operates food pantries in various cities within Santa Cruz County 

Program Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am - 2pm. 

210 High Street, Santa Cruz

(831) 423-0878 | St. Vincent De Paul

Provides a weekly food pantry. Wednesdays at 3:30pm. 

(across the street from Cabrillo College)

(831) 566-3791 | Twin Lakes Church

A community resource center offers a wide range of services to Latino families. Food pantry every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 3-5pm. Hours 9-9pm, Office hours 8:30-2:30 pm and by appointment 

711 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz

(831) 423-5747 | Nueva Vista

Offers food bag distribution and assistance with rent, utility bills and clothing as funds allow. 

214 Union St, Watsonville 

(831) 724-3922 | Watsonville Salvation Army

Food pantry on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month 11-12:30pm. 

521 Main St. # Y, Watsonville 

(831) 724-2977 | La Manzana

Offers free bags of groceries for those in need. Also offers information and referral for financial help, shelters and other basic needs. 

150 2nd St, Watsonville 

(831) 722-4144 | Loaves and Fishes

A Family Resource Center offering a variety of services to the community. Food pantry gives out food on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 11-12, and 3rd and 4th Thursday of the month from 10-11. 

6134 Hwy 9, Felton

(831) 335-6600

Provides emergency food pantry, USDA commodities surplus food and food vouchers, emergency rental, mortgage and utility assistance; gas money; bus passes; and medical and dental assistance when funds are available. Food Pantry Hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 9am-12noon, Friday: 9am-11am, Saturday: 10am-12pm 

9430 Love Creek Road, Ben Lomond

(831) 336-8258 | Valley Churches

Find food-pantry locations near you.

(831) 662-0991 | Food Hotline

Hot Meal

Food served for free on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings to anyone who wanders in. Doors close at 5:30pm. Best breakfast in town on Wednesday mornings.

117 Elm St. in Santa Cruz

Serves lunch at noon five days a week. Located behind San Lorenzo Lumber on River Street.

205 Mora St., Santa Cruz.

Breakfast begins at 8am and the meal usually includes hot and cold cereal, pancakes and eggs. An early dinner is served at 3:30pm for any families with children, and for people taking advantage of the overnight program offered by some local churches. Dinner for the general public is served at 5pm.

115C Coral St, Santa Cruz

Provides a free hot lunch every weekday.

150 2nd St, Watsonville 

(831) 722-4144

Offers a free hot meal daily to anyone in need as funds allow.

214 Union St, Watsonville

(831) 724-3922

Temporary Housing

Provides a 32-bed temporary homeless shelter. Shelter guests receive breakfast and dinner.

(831) 459-0444 | Ecompass

Offers transitional shelter for homeless women with children for up to six months.

(831) 459-8046 | St. Francis Soup Kitchen

Offers a six-month transitional housing program for women and children, and supportive housing for women transitioning out of a rehabilitation or aftercare program.

(831) 724-3922 | Watsonville Salvation Army

Provides a homeless shelter for men and women.

111 Railroad Avenue, Watsonville

(831) 724-9576 or (831) 722-2074 |PV Shelter

Community Showers

Showers are offered Monday through Friday 11:30am and 1pm. Clothing is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 11:30am to 1pm. Located Behind San Lorenzo Lumber on River Street.

205 Mora St., Santa Cruz.

(831) 459-6712 | St. Francis Soup Kitchen

Offers use of phones, shower, mail services and drop-in meals, among other services.

115A Coral St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

(831) 458-6020 | Homeless Services

OTHER SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

Pet Owners Experiencing Homelessness

365 Pet Insurance

Details resources to assist homeless individuals in caring for their pets. Includes financial resources and organizations dedicated to ensuring you can provide everything your pet needs.

General Essential Needs Assistance

211 Santa Cruz County

211 can help you find assistance with crisis services, food, housing, healthcare, senior services, substance use disorders, childcare, legal aid, post incarceration reentry services, and much more. Free. Confidential. Multilingual. Available 24/7.

Homeless Community Outreach Sites And Key Service Agencies

RIVER STREET SHELTER
115-C Coral Street, Santa Cruz
831-459-6644
Ecompass

DAVENPORT RESOURCE SERVICE CENTER
100 Church Street, Davenport
831-425-8115
Davenport Resources

ST. FRANCIS KITCHEN
2051 Mora St., Santa Cruz
831-459-6712
St. Francis Soup Kitchen

VALLEY RESOURCE CENTER
PO Box 105, Ben Lomond
831-336-2553
Valley Resource Center

DOMINICAN HOSPITAL
1555 Soquel Road, Santa Cruz
831-462-7700
Dominican Hospital

ELM STREET MISSION
117 Elm Street, Santa Cruz
Elm Street Mission

HOMELESS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
115 Coral Street, Santa Cruz
831-458-6020
SC Homeless

HOMELESS GARDEN PROJECT
101 Washington St., Santa Cruz
831-426-3609
Homeless Garden Project

INTERFAITH SATELLITE SHELTER PROGRAM
115 Coral St., pick up point
831-468-6020
Interfaith

JANUS, INC.
200 7th Ave., Santa Cruz
831-462-1060
Janus, Inc.

MHCAN (MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK)
1051 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz
831-469-0462
MHCAN

PAGE SMITH COMMUNITY HOUSE
111 Coral Street, Santa Cruz
831-469-HOPE
Page Smith

REBELE FAMILY SHELTER
115-B Coral Street, Santa Cruz
831-458-6020 x1101
Rebele Family Shelter

SC AIDS PROJECT DROP-IN CENTER
412 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-457-1163
SC Aids Project

LA FLOR DEL VALLE STOREFRONT
110 Union St., Watsonville

LOAVES & FISHES MEAL PROGRAM
150 Second St., Watsonville
831-722-4144
Loaves and Fishes

PAJARO VALLEY SHELTER
115 Brennan St., Watsonville
831-758-5649
PV Shelter

SALUD PARA LA GENTE
204 E. Beach St., Watsonville
831-728-0222
Salud Para La Gente

SALVATION ARMY
HOME SHELTER PROGRAM
112 Grant St., Watsonville
831-724-3922
Watsonville Salvation Army

WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
75 Nielson St., Watsonville
831-714-4741
(info found under Community Resources)
Watsonville Community Hospital

COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD
501 Soquel Ave., Suite E, Santa Cruz
831-457-0511
406 Main St., Suite 217, Watsonville
831- 728-4634
Community Action Board

COUNTY GENERAL MEDICAL CLINIC
1080 Emeiline Ave., Santa Cruz
831- 454-4100
9 Crestview, Watsonville
831-763-8400 County General Medical Clinic

PAJARO RESCUE MISSION

111 Railroad, Pajaro 831-714-9576
Pajaro Rescue Mission