Ceres
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Local offices in Ceres
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
Ceres Finance Department, Utility Billing
2220 Magnolia Street, Ceres, CA 95307
Help here
- Utility bill helpGet help with city utility bills and ask about low income discounts for water and utility tax.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ceres.gov
Local office · City office
City of Ceres City Hall
2220 Magnolia Street, Ceres, CA 95307
Help here
- City customer serviceCall or visit City Hall to get help finding the right city department.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ceres.gov
Older adults · City office
Ceres Parks and Recreation Department
Ceres Community Center, 2701 4th Street, Ceres, CA 95307
Help here
- Senior programsVisit or call to find senior activities and programs at the community center.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ceres.gov
State office
California DMV, Modesto Field Office
124 Burney Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Help here
- Driver licensing and vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or ID and handle vehicle registration in person.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ca.gov
Library · County office
Ceres Library
2250 Magnolia Street, Ceres, CA 95307
Help here
- Library servicesVisit the library to borrow books, use computers and Wi-Fi, and join programs for all ages.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stanislauslibrary.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Ceres first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Valley Community SDA
Valley Community Seventh-day Adventist Church
27 miles from the center of Ceres2929 S. B Street, Stockton, CA 95206
Hours
- Wed11 AM to 1 PM
What to bring: Must receive food in person. No delivery is available.
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Kennedy Community Center
San Joaquin County Human Services Agency
28 miles from the center of Ceres2800 S. D St., Stockton, CA 95206
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Mon. through Fri. 10:30 am. Commodity Program to 3rd Thurs 9 am.
Who can come: San Joaquin County residents
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Taft Community Center
San Joaquin County Human Services Agency
28 miles from the center of Ceres389 W. Downing Ave., Stockton, CA 95206
Hours
- Mon10 AM to 1 PM
- Thu7:30 AM to 11:30 AM (3rd of the month). Commodity program
- Fri10 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: ZIP code 95206 south of 8th Street and west of El Dorado, and ZIP codes 95231 and 95330
What to bring: Proof of residence in San Joaquin County is required for the commodity program.
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Garden Acres Community Center
San Joaquin County Human Services Agency
29 miles from the center of Ceres607 Bird Ave., Stockton, CA 95205
Hours
- Mon11 AM to 1 PM
- Fri11 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: Adults 18 and older
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Eastside Church of God in Christ
29 miles from the center of Ceres3206 E. Marsh St., Stockton, CA 95205
Hours
- Mon2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
- Wed2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Hurricane Missionary Baptist
29 miles from the center of Ceres428 S. Ash St., Stockton, CA 95205
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Call for hours of Food Program.
Listed on sjgov.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Ceres
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
Second Harvest of the Greater Valley
1220 Vanderbilt Cir, Manteca, CA 95337
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
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
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
Central Valley Opportunity Center, Incorporated
P.O. Box 1389, Winton, CA 95388
Listed on csd.ca.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Ceres
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.
Youth program
Ceres Unified School District
1.2 miles away
2503 Lawrence Street, Ceres, CA 95307
These are the closest to Ceres.
American Job Center
Modesto American Job Center of California / EDD Workforce Services Branch (WSB) & Stanislaus County Workforce Development
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
3.1 miles away
629 12th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Hours: Modesto AJCC - Monday - Friday 8am-5:00pm; Partner - StanWorkforce - Monday - Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 2026
American Job Center · Affiliate center
Tracy WorkNet Center
Also helps young people
27 miles away
340 W. 4th Street, Tracy, CA 95376
Hours: Monday, Tuesday Thursday, Friday 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (Wednesdays closed at 2:30pm)
Updated by CareerOneStop on July 28, 2026
American Job Center
EDD Merced WSB / Merced County Worknet
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
33 miles away
1205 West 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340
Hours: Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; First Thursday of every month 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 9, 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
Stanislaus River Valley Alliance
251 East Hackett Road, #C2; PO Box 3389 (95353), Modesto, CA 95358
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 Stanislaus County
Ceres is in Stanislaus County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Stanislaus County Community Services Agency
251 E. Hackett Road, Modesto, CA 95353
Help here
- Benefits and family servicesContact the agency for help with public benefits and services for individuals and families.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on csa-stanislaus.com
Public health · County office
Stanislaus County WIC
917 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95353
Help here
- WIC nutrition supportWIC offers eligible families food benefits, nutrition help, breastfeeding support, and health referrals.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on schsa.org
Child support · County office
Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services
251 E. Hackett Road, Modesto, CA 95358
Help here
- Child support servicesThe department helps establish parentage and support orders, collect support, and review orders.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stancodcss.org
Housing help · Regional office
Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority
1612 Sisk Road, Modesto, CA 95350
Help here
- Affordable housing programsAsk about affordable housing programs and apply for available assistance.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stanregionalha.org
Public health · County office
Stanislaus County Health Services Agency, Public Health Services
917 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95353
Help here
- Public health servicesFind county health information, programs, and services for residents.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on schsa.org
Mental health and recovery · County office
Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
1601 I Street, Suite 200, Second Floor, Modesto, CA 95354
Help here
- Behavioral health supportCall for information about mental health and substance use services or crisis support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stancounty.com
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 Stanislaus 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