Food Programs
The City of San Leandro offers a variety of food programs, such as Mercy Brown Bag and Spectrum Lunch Program.
San Leandro Free Groceries/Food Pantry Locations
View Map: Free Groceries/Food Pantry Locations
Mercy Brown Bag (MBB)
Mercy Brown Bag program distributes groceries to seniors ages 60+ throughout Alameda County twice a month, free of charge. Depending on availability, each bag is brimming with nutritious items, such as fresh milk, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes, carrots, oatmeal, plums, canned goods, low-sodium spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, tuna, eggs, and more. Applicants must meet eligible age and household income requirements and must register for the program before receiving a bag of groceries. Please view for more information regarding eligibility requirements.
Mercy Brown Bags are distributed on the second and fourth Monday of each month, from 10 am to 11:30 am, at the San Leandro Senior Community Center. For more information please call 1 (510) 577-6053 or email [email protected]. Registration for the program is accepted in person only between 11am – 11:30am on distribution dates. Please come prepared to answer questions including complete contact information, birthdate, household size and income to be entered into the Mercy Brown Bag database.
Spectrum Senior Meals Take Out Lunch Program:
Spectrum Senior Meal Program is now featuring fresh, hot nutritious meals for adults 60+, and participants will continue to pick up their meal to take away. The suggested donation per meal is $3.75; no registered participant will be refused a meal due to lack of funds.
Reserve your meal at least 24 hours in advance by calling the Spectrum Meal Site Coordinator at (510) 825-9793.
13909 E 14th St
San Leandro, CA, 94578
Mon-Fri 12-12:30pm.
Please complete your application to participate in the Spectrum Senior Meal:
Spectrum Registration Form - English (PDF)
Spectrum Registration Form - Chinese (PDF)
Spectrum is now partnering with SPARKL Reusables to reduce the volume of single-use containers entering the Alameda County waste stream, providing reusable takeaway containers for the meal program. Each participant will be responsible for careful usage and returning the containers to Spectrum each day to be washed and sanitized for reuse.