Gardena

Local offices in Gardena

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Human services · City office

  Gardena Human Services Division

  1651 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247

  Help here

  • Emergency food and basic suppliesGardena residents can apply for emergency groceries, hygiene items, baby supplies, and referrals.Read more
  • Homelessness and housing crisis helpPeople facing homelessness can ask for food, case management, and referrals to local help.Read more
  • Rental assistanceEligible Gardena households can submit an intake form for rental assistance and housing stability support.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 310-217-9574DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofgardena.org

• Older adults · City office

  Gardena Senior Citizens Bureau

  1670 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247

  Help here

  • Senior servicesOlder adults can get information, referrals, case management, meals, and social and recreation programs.
  Call 310-217-9552DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofgardena.org

• Jobs and training · Regional office

  South Bay One-Stop Business & Career Center - Gardena

  16801 S. Western Avenue, Suite A, Gardena, CA 90247

  Help here

  • Job search and career servicesJob seekers can get help with job searches, training, career counseling, and unemployment claim applications.
  Call 310-538-7070DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sbwib.org

• Library · County office

  Gardena Mayme Dear Library

  1731 W. Gardena Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90247

  Help here

  • Library servicesResidents can use library collections, programs, and other public library services.
  Call 310-323-6363DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lacountylibrary.org

• Library · County office

  Masao W. Satow Library

  14433 S. Crenshaw Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90249

  Help here

  • Library servicesResidents can use library collections, programs, and other public library services.
  Call 310-679-0638DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lacountylibrary.org

• Parks and recreation · City office

  Gardena Recreation and Human Services

  Help here

  • Recreation programsResidents can find city classes, sports, camps, aquatics, and community activities.
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofgardena.org

City of Gardena website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Gardena first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Food pantry

  H.O.P.E Food Pantry

  Helping Other People Excel

  5.3 miles from the center of Gardena

  7615 S Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90047

  Hours

  • Tue10 AM to 12 PM

  Who can come: All individuals

  What to bring: No requirements or documents; fill out the sign-in sheet

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on helpingotherpeopleexcel.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Food Pantry LAX

  5.8 miles from the center of Gardena

  355 East Beach Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90302

  Hours

  • Tue9:30 AM to 12 PM
  • Fri9:30 AM to 12 PM

  Who can come: Customers may come once a week

  What to bring: Provide identification to pick up food; no income requirement

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on foodpantrylax.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Grocery Grab N' Go at Philadelphian SDA Church

  Help Me Help You

  8.1 miles from the center of Gardena

  2640 Santa Fe Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90810

  Hours

  • Wed1 PM to 2 PM (2nd and 4th of the month). Walk-up and drive-through

  Who can come: People in need

  What to bring: No registration, ID, or proof of income needed. Sign in and answer a few questions.

  Languages: Spanish

  Call 562-612-5001DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on helpmehelpu.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free meals

  Free Lunch Friday

  CityHeART

  8.5 miles from the center of Gardena

  2291 W Williams St, Long Beach, CA 90810

  Hours

  • Fri12 PM to 1 PM
  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on ourcityheart.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Free grocery market

  HeARTy Foods Giveaway

  CityHeART

  8.5 miles from the center of Gardena

  2291 W Williams St, Long Beach, CA 90810

  Hours

  • Thu12 PM to 2 PM

  Who can come: People in need

  DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on ourcityheart.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Grocery Grab N' Go at McKinley Elementary School

  Help Me Help You

  8.5 miles from the center of Gardena

  6822 N. Paramount Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90805

  Hours

  • Fri2 PM to 3 PM (2nd and 4th of the month). Walk-up only

  Who can come: People in need

  What to bring: No registration, ID, or proof of income needed. Sign in and answer a few questions.

  Languages: Spanish

  Call 562-612-5001DirectionsWebsite

  Listed on helpmehelpu.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Gardena

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Job help near Gardena

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.

• American Job Center · Affiliate center

  Gardena South Bay One Stop Business and Career Center

  Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison

  1.1 miles away

  16801 S Western Avenue, Suite A, Gardena, CA 90247

  Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8 am-5 pm, Friday 8 am-4:30 pm. Closed every other Friday

  Call 310-538-7070DirectionsWebsite

  Updated by CareerOneStop on June 3, 2026

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 Los Angeles County

Gardena is in Los Angeles County. These county and state offices serve people there too.

• Child support · County office

  Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department

  Help here

  • Child support servicesGet help establishing and enforcing child support orders.Apply online
  Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cssd.lacounty.gov

• Human services · Nonprofit

  211 LA

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 for help finding housing, food, health care, and other services in Los Angeles County.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211la.org

• Housing help · County office

  Los Angeles County Department of Homeless Services and Housing

  655 Maple Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90014

  Help here

  • Homelessness and housing supportGet connected to outreach, housing, and prevention resources if you are homeless or at risk of losing housing.Apply online
  Call 213-752-1900DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on homeless.lacounty.gov

• Housing help · County office

  Los Angeles County Development Authority

  700 W. Main Street, Alhambra, CA 91801

  Help here

  • Housing assistanceGet information about county housing programs, including public housing and housing choice vouchers.Apply online
  Call 626-262-4511DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lacda.org

• Public health · County office

  Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

  Help here

  • Public health clinicsPublic Health clinics offer services such as immunizations and testing for some infections.Read more
  • WIC nutrition supportWIC helps eligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and young children get healthy food and nutrition support.Apply onlineRead more
  Call 833-540-0473Website

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on publichealth.lacounty.gov

• Mental health and recovery · County office

  Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

  550 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020

  Help here

  • Mental health help and crisis supportCall for mental health services, crisis support, and help finding care in Los Angeles County.Read more
  Call 800-854-7771DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmh.lacounty.gov

Everything in Los Angeles County

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