Avenal
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Local offices in Avenal
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
Utility Billing Department
919 Skyline Blvd., Avenal, CA 93204
Help here
- Utility accounts and billsStart or manage city water, sewer, street light, street sweeping, trash, and recycling service, or pay a utility bill.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofavenal.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
211 Kings County
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 any time for free help finding local food, housing, health care, and other services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211kingscounty.org
Older adults · City office
Veterans Memorial Hall (Senior Center)
108 W. Kings Street, Avenal, CA 93204
Help here
- Senior nutrition and activitiesOlder adults can visit for the senior nutrition program and use the game and exercise rooms.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofavenal.gov
Library · County office
Avenal Branch Library
501 E. Kings St., Avenal, CA 93204
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the branch for public library services and materials.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on countylibrary.org
Local office · City office
Avenal City Hall
919 Skyline Blvd., Avenal, CA 93204
Help here
- City services and informationContact City Hall for help finding city services, departments, and public information.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofavenal.gov
Checked on October 9, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Avenal first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Langar
Gurdwara Nanaksar Fresno
49 miles from the center of Avenal3060 S Cherry Ave, Fresno, CA 93706
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Langar (community meal) is served daily.
Who can come: People of all faiths and backgrounds
Listed on gurdwarananaksarfresno.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Mary Ella Brown
City of Fresno PARCS
50 miles from the center of Avenal1350 E. Annadale Ave, Fresno, CA 93706
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Serving Time: 11:30 A.M.
Who can come: Anyone 60 years and older. Anyone under 60 can buy a meal for $7.38.
What to bring: Complete an FMAAA registration form on site the first day. Make a reservation at the senior site in person or by phone by 11:30 AM the day before.
Listed on fresno.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Papa Mike’s Café
Poverello House
51 miles from the center of Avenal412 F Street, Fresno, CA 93706
Hours
- Mon7:30 AM to 10 AM. Breakfast; 12 PM to 5 PM. Lunch and dinner
- Tue7:30 AM to 10 AM. Breakfast; 12 PM to 5 PM. Lunch and dinner
- Wed7:30 AM to 10 AM. Breakfast; 12 PM to 5 PM. Lunch and dinner
- Thu7:30 AM to 10 AM. Breakfast; 12 PM to 5 PM. Lunch and dinner
- Fri7:30 AM to 10 AM. Breakfast; 12 PM to 5 PM. Lunch and dinner
- Sat9 AM to 10:30 AM. Breakfast; 12 PM to 2 PM. Lunch; 3 PM to 5 PM. Dinner
- Sun9 AM to 10:30 AM. Breakfast; 12 PM to 2 PM. Lunch; 3 PM to 5 PM. Dinner
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on poverellohouse.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Open Food Pantry
New Life Baptist Church
52 miles from the center of Avenal2033 S. Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA 93702
Hours
- Thu10 AM to 11 AM (3rd of the month)
Languages: Spanish
Listed on newlifebcfresno.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Mosqueda
City of Fresno PARCS
52 miles from the center of Avenal4670 E. Butler Ave, Fresno, CA 93702
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Serving Time: 11:15 A.M.
Who can come: Anyone 60 years and older. Anyone under 60 can buy a meal for $7.38.
What to bring: Complete an FMAAA registration form on site the first day. Make a reservation at the senior site in person or by phone by 11:30 AM the day before.
Listed on fresno.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Ted C. Wills
City of Fresno PARCS
53 miles from the center of Avenal770 N. San Pablo Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Serving Time: 11:15 A.M.
Who can come: Anyone 60 years and older. Anyone under 60 can buy a meal for $7.38.
What to bring: Complete an FMAAA registration form on site the first day. Make a reservation at the senior site in person or by phone by 11:30 AM the day before.
Listed on fresno.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Avenal
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Central California Food Bank
4010 E. Amendola Ave., Fresno, CA 93725
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Central California Legal Services
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Kings Community Action Organization, Inc.
1130 N. 11th Avenue, Hanford, CA 93230-5998
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Avenal
American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.
CareerOneStop lists no American Job Center in Avenal. These are the closest.
American Job Center · Affiliate center
Tulare County Employment Connection - Tulare
Also helps young people
45 miles away
155 N. K Street, Tulare, CA 93274
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on March 26, 2026
American Job Center
Tulare County Employment Connection - Visalia
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
48 miles away
4025 West Noble Avenue, Employment Connection Suite B, Visalia, CA 93277
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm (Closed on Holidays)
Updated by CareerOneStop on August 22, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
Parlier-Workforce Connection
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
51 miles away
13660 East Manning Ave, Suite 103, Parlier, CA 93648
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on September 17, 2026
Unemployment benefits in California
If you lost your job or your hours were cut, you may be able to get unemployment insurance. You apply with the state, and the state decides who qualifies.
Workforce board for this area
The workforce board plans the job and training programs here and funds the job centers. Go to a job center for help; call the board with questions about its programs.
Workforce board
Kings County Workforce Investment Board
124 North Irwin Street, Hanford, CA 93230
Workforce board
California Workforce Development Board
1416 9th Street, Floor 14, Sacramento, CA 95814
Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.
Offices for all of Kings County
Avenal is in Kings County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Kings County Human Services Agency
1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Building 8, Hanford, CA 93230
Help here
- Benefits and employment supportApply for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, General Assistance, and employment services.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofkingsca.gov
Public health · County office
Kings County WIC
330 N. Harris St., Hanford, CA 93230
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportEligible families can get food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kcdph.com
Child support · County office
Kings County Child Support Services
312 W. 7th St., Suite 201, Hanford, CA 93230
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing parentage and child support orders, changing orders, and handling payments.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on countyofkingsca.gov
Housing help · County office
Housing Authority of the County of Kings
670 S. Irwin St., Hanford, CA 93230
Help here
- Housing assistanceAsk about housing applications, waiting lists, and help for current program participants.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hakc.com
Public health · County office
Kings County Department of Public Health
460 Kings County Dr., Suite 101, Hanford, CA 93230
Help here
- Public health and clinical servicesGet public health information, immunizations, clinic services, and vital records.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kcdph.com
Mental health and recovery · County office
Kings County Behavioral Health
1222 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford, CA 93230
Help here
- Mental health and substance use servicesContact the county for mental health and substance use treatment and support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on kcbh.org
California programs by kind of help
These are run by California and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- 211 Kings County
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988