Top 15 Churches in San Francisco Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2025

Trying to stay afloat in San Francisco—especially when you’re dealing with eviction notices, overdue utilities, or not enough food to get through the week—can feel like pure chaos. The city is expensive, the application processes for help are often confusing, and navigating services while stressed is beyond overwhelming. But there are churches across San Francisco that offer real, structured support: rental assistance pathways, food pantries, utility aid, hygiene supplies, and housing referrals that don’t dead-end.

This guide ranks the top 15 San Francisco churches offering meaningful emergency aid, based on data—not vibes. These churches have consistent programs, transparent processes, and clear contact info, and they help both members and non-members. If you're in crisis in SF, this list gives you the most reliable starting points.

How We Chose These Churches in San Francisco

We evaluated churches on verified assistance programs, accessibility, Google ratings, community impact, transparency, and inclusiveness for all SF residents.

1. Glide Memorial Church

A legendary Tenderloin institution offering one of the most comprehensive support networks in SF.Primary Assistance:

• Daily free meals

• Rental and housing referrals

• Harm reduction resources

• Utility bill help (via partner programs)

Best for: Individuals and families seeking consistent food support and housing navigation.

How to Get Help:330 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102Phone: (415) 674-6000Website: https://www.glide.orgWalk in for meals; housing/rent assistance requires intake appointment.

Details: Glide’s food program is one of the largest in the Bay Area. Rental help is handled through case managers who partner with city programs. Services are multilingual and inclusive.

Trust signals: 4.6★ with 1,400+ Google reviews (as of Nov 2025); recognized nationwide for social impact.

2. St. Anthony’s Foundation (Franciscan Church-Based Ministry)

A long-standing Catholic service hub feeding and supporting thousands in the Tenderloin.Primary Assistance:

• Free meals

• Clothing & hygiene kits

• Rental and utility referrals

• Senior support services

Best for: Anyone needing guaranteed meals and immediate essentials.

How to Get Help:150 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102Phone: (415) 241-2600Website: https://www.stanthonysf.org

Details: Their dining room serves daily meals, and their resource center provides structured assistance for rent, utilities, and work support.

Trust signals: 4.7★, 1,000+ reviews; widespread press coverage.

3. St. Ignatius Parish (University of San Francisco)

A well-resourced Jesuit parish active in community aid.Primary Assistance:

• Grocery assistance

• Rent relief referrals

• Utility support through partnerships

Best for: Families seeking structured, compassionate help with privacy.

How to Get Help:650 Parker Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118Phone: (415) 422-2188Website: https://www.stignatiussf.org

Details: Their outreach team collaborates with SF’s Catholic Charities and other nonprofits to deliver practical aid. Spanish-language support available.

Trust signals: 4.7★, 200+ reviews; strong university-backed network.

4. Third Baptist Church of San Francisco

One of the oldest Black churches in SF with a history of community uplift.Primary Assistance:

• Food pantry

• Rent/utility navigation

• Senior aid

Best for: Individuals in Western Addition facing financial emergencies.

How to Get Help:1399 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94115Phone: (415) 346-4426Website: https://thirdbaptistsf.org

Details: Their pantry is consistent and well-organized. Rental help involves connecting residents to city stabilization funds with hands-on assistance.

Trust signals: 4.8★, 120+ reviews; deep neighborhood roots.

5. Bethel Christian Church

A mission-driven church offering steady outreach to low-income residents.Primary Assistance:

• Weekly food pantry

• Limited financial aid

• Utility assistance referrals

Best for: Immediate food support with potential access to financial help.

How to Get Help:1325 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110Phone: (415) 285-2845Website: https://bethelsf.org

Details: They serve the Mission District with bilingual volunteers (Spanish/English).

Trust signals: 4.6★, 80+ reviews; strong community reputation.

6. St. Mary’s Cathedral (Archdiocese of San Francisco)

The largest Catholic church in SF with structured outreach.Primary Assistance:

• Food distribution

• Rental and utility referrals

• Immigrant support

Best for: Newcomers and long-time residents needing navigation help.

How to Get Help:1111 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94109Phone: (415) 567-2020Website: https://stmarycathedralsf.org

Details: Volunteers help clients access Catholic Charities rental programs.

Trust signals: 4.7★, 1,100+ reviews.

7. First Baptist Church of San Francisco

A downtown church helping residents with food and basic supplies.Primary Assistance:

• Weekly food pantry

• Emergency cash referrals

• Homeless outreach

Best for: Low-income individuals downtown.

How to Get Help:22 Waller St, San Francisco, CA 94102Phone: (415) 863-3382Website: https://fbcsf.org

Details: They partner with nonprofit agencies to route rent/utility cases.

Trust signals: 4.7★, 80+ reviews.

8. Cornerstone Church – San Francisco

A modern church with a strong social-impact framework.Primary Assistance:

• Grocery distribution

• Eviction-prevention referrals

• Clothing and hygiene supplies

Best for: Families needing bilingual programs (English/Chinese).

How to Get Help:3459 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94110Phone: (415) 861-2439Website: https://cornerstonesf.org

Details: Their outreach includes neighborhood partnerships that assist with emergency financial requests.

Trust signals: 4.8★, 300+ reviews.

9. St. Dominic’s Catholic Church

An active parish in the Western Addition with strong charitable programs.Primary Assistance:

• Food pantry

• Rental & utility assistance pathways via parish partners

Best for: Residents seeking structured, confidential support.

How to Get Help:2390 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94115Phone: (415) 567-7824Website: https://stdominics.org

Details: Dominican volunteers help residents apply for city rental relief programs.

Trust signals: 4.8★, 500+ reviews.

10. Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Greek Orthodox)

A welcoming Orthodox parish with humanitarian outreach.Primary Assistance:

• Food assistance

• Utility/referral help

• Homelessness support

Best for: Immigrant families across the city.

How to Get Help:245 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103Phone: (415) 864-4500Website: https://annunciation.org

Details: Volunteers provide culturally sensitive support for Greek, Middle Eastern, Russian, and immigrant households.

Trust signals: 4.8★, 200+ reviews.

11. San Francisco Lighthouse Church

A diverse congregation with consistent aid programs.Primary Assistance:

• Free grocery bags

• Financial help for emergencies (when funded)

• Family assistance

Best for: Families needing food stability.

How to Get Help:“Lighthouse Church San Francisco” on Google MapsPhone: (415) 431-0746Website: https://sflighthouse.org

Details: Programs rotate monthly; call ahead for financial aid availability.

Trust signals: 4.7★, 70+ reviews.

12. Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día (Seventh-day Adventist)

Spanish-speaking church with strong community service programs.Primary Assistance:

• Food pantry

• Rent/utility navigation

• Clothing programs

Best for: Spanish-speaking households facing crisis.

How to Get Help:298 20th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121Phone: (415) 221-6132Website: Facebook page active with updates.

Details: Volunteers assist with city rental paperwork and provide weekly produce distributions.

Trust signals: 4.6★, 50+ reviews.

13. Calvary Presbyterian Church

Long-standing Pacific Heights church with ongoing support initiatives.Primary Assistance:

• Food assistance

• Rental/utility referrals

• Volunteer-run support services

Best for: Residents needing referrals + consistent food resources.

How to Get Help:2515 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115Phone: (415) 346-3832Website: https://calvarysf.org

Details: Actively collaborates with nonprofits to address housing and food insecurity.

Trust signals: 4.7★, 150+ reviews.

14. St. Peter’s Catholic Church (Mission District)

A community-centered, bilingual parish known for immigrant support.Primary Assistance:

• Food pantry

• Rent/utility help via partner agencies

• Legal clinic referrals

Best for: Latino families, low-income Mission District residents.

How to Get Help:1200 Florida St, San Francisco, CA 94110Phone: (415) 282-1652Website: https://stpeterparishsf.org

Details: They offer multilingual support and direct people to housing stabilization programs.

Trust signals: 4.7★, 200+ reviews.

15. St. Paulus Lutheran Church

A small but mighty church with hyper-local services in the Civic Center area.Primary Assistance:

• Food assistance

• Limited financial aid referrals

• Homeless outreach

Best for: Individuals in central SF needing immediate food support.

How to Get Help:1541 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109Phone: (415) 673-8088Website: https://stpaulussf.org

Details: Their volunteers offer consistent grocery support and connections to rent relief networks.

Trust signals: 4.8★, 50+ reviews.

Other Important Helplines and Resources in San Francisco

• SF 211: Central referral hub for rent, utilities, and food programs.

• San Francisco Human Services Agency: Rental support, food stamps (CalFresh), and emergency family funds.

• Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC): 1338 Mission St — emergency legal help for tenants.

• SF Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC): Utility assistance and payment plans.

• National Hunger Hotline: 1-866-3-HUNGRY.

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Closing Thoughts

Finding help in San Francisco can feel overwhelming, but these churches have proven track records and open doors. Reach out to at least one today—many offer support faster than city programs, and no one should face crisis alone. Share this article with anyone who needs it; the right connection can make all the difference.