california

• Modest Homeless Educational Services provides clear, step‑by‑step support to help students access the financial aid and campus resources they need to succeed. From completing the FAFSA and applying for state grants to securing Pell Grants and understanding federal loan options, the service simplifies complex processes and ensures individuals don’t miss out on available funding. Beyond financial aid, it also guides students in signing up for tutoring, mentoring, food assistance, and other campus programs, creating a pathway to opportunity and stability through education.

Did You Know?

• The United States Pell Grant is one of the most important forms of federal financial aid for college students. For the 2025–2026 academic year, the maximum award is $7,395. But here’s the powerful part: under the Year‑Round Pell program, students can receive up to 150% of their scheduled award — that’s $11,092 — if they enroll in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

How It Works

• Fall Semester: $3,697 (half of the annual maximum)

• Spring Semester: $3,697 (the other half)

• Summer Semester: $3,698 (the extra 50% allowed under Year‑Round Pell)

• Total Possible: $11,092

• This means students who take classes year‑round can stretch their Pell Grant further, accelerating their studies without taking on extra debt.

Why It Matters

• No repayment required — Pell Grants are grants, not loans.
• Supports low‑ and moderate‑income students — eligibility is based on financial need.
• Encourages year‑round enrollment — Summer funding helps students graduate faster.
• Covers tuition, fees, books, and living costs — flexible use makes it a lifeline for many.

Impact

• Nearly 40% of undergraduates nationwide benefit from Pell Grants. For many, it’s the difference between attending college full‑time or part‑time, and between graduating on time or dropping out. The Year‑Round Pell expansion ensures that students who want to keep momentum through Summer aren’t left without support.

But that’s not all…

• California offers the Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG) to community college students who qualify for a Pell Grant or Cal Grant. This grant is designed to encourage full‑time enrollment and help students complete their programs faster.

California Student Success Completion Grant (State Aid):

• Awarded to full‑time California community college students who receive a Pell Grant or Cal Grant

• 12–14 units per term: $1,298 per semester ($2,596 annually)

• 15+ units per term: $4,000 per semester ($8,000 annually)

Why It Matters

• Together, Pell + SSCG can provide over $19,000 in aid per year for eligible full‑time students.

• SSCG rewards students who take more units, helping them graduate faster and with less debt.

• Both programs are grants, not loans — meaning no repayment required.

Impact

• By combining federal and state support, California students can dramatically reduce the cost of higher education. For many, this funding covers not only tuition and fees but also books, housing, and living expenses — making college completion more achievable.

• Modest Homeless Nutrition Services provides clear, accessible guidance to help individuals find reliable sources of food and nourishment in both community and educational settings. From locating local food pantries and campus food programs to navigating affordable meal plans, the service ensures that people can maintain health and stability while focusing on education, work, or personal growth. Rooted in dignity and inclusion, it empowers individuals to overcome food insecurity with practical solutions that restore confidence and resilience.

Orange County Free Food Resources

• Someone Cares Soup Kitchen – 720 W. 19th Street, Costa Mesa   Hot meals daily: lunch Monday–Friday (12–3 pm), breakfast weekends (9–11 am).

• Share Our Selves (SOS) Food Pantry – 1550 Superior Avenue, Costa Mesa   Grocery bags with fresh produce, meats, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Open Monday–Friday, 8 am–4:30 pm.

• Southwest Community Center (SWCC) – 1601 W. 2nd Street, Santa Ana   Hot meals daily: breakfast at 8 am, lunch Monday–Saturday at noon, dinner Saturday at 4 pm. Food bags Monday & Wednesday mornings.

• Mariners Church – Lighthouse Community Centers – Santa Ana   Pantry bags with shelf‑stable food, fresh produce, protein, and dairy.

• Laguna Food Pantry – 20652 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach   Free groceries for anyone in need, no appointment required. Open Monday–Friday, 8–10:30 am. Serves over 1,200 families weekly.

• Orange County Food Bank (Free Food Box Program) – 12640 Knott Street, Garden Grove   Monthly food boxes for low‑income seniors and families. Includes canned goods, rice, pasta, cereal, and proteins.

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County (Emergency Food Box Program) – 8014 Marine Way, Irvine   Emergency food boxes and fresh produce distributed through hundreds of local pantries. Serves over 360,000 individuals monthly.

• Project Food Box (Countywide)   Collaborative program delivering farm‑fresh produce boxes to families in need. Works with schools, nonprofits, and community agencies.

Quick Snapshot

• Daily hot meals: Someone Cares (Costa Mesa), Southwest Center (Santa Ana).

• Weekly groceries: Share Our Selves (Costa Mesa), Laguna Food Pantry (Laguna Beach).

• Monthly food boxes: Orange County Food Bank (Garden Grove).

• Emergency/fresh produce boxes: Second Harvest (Irvine).

• Farm‑fresh produce boxes: Project Food Box (countywide).

Los Angeles

• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank – 1734 E. 41st Street, Los Angeles   Distributes food boxes and groceries through 600+ partner agencies across LA County.

• St. Francis Center – 1835 S. Hope Street, Los Angeles   Daily breakfast and lunch service, plus pantry bags for families.

• Union Rescue Mission – 545 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles (Skid Row)   Hot meals served three times daily, open to anyone in need.

• Hollywood Food Coalition – 1625 N. Schrader Blvd, Los Angeles   Serves nightly community dinners and distributes groceries through “Community Exchange.”

• Westside Food Bank – 1710 22nd Street, Santa Monica   Provides food boxes and groceries through local pantries and shelters on the Westside.

• Project Angel Food – 922 Vine Street, Los Angeles   Delivers free meals to individuals facing serious illness and food insecurity.

• Project Food Box - Los Angeles

San Diego

• Father Joe’s Villages – 1501 Imperial Avenue, San Diego   One of the largest providers of meals for unhoused individuals. Serves hot meals daily and distributes groceries through partner programs.

• San Diego Rescue Mission – 120 Elm Street, San Diego   Offers daily hot meals, emergency shelter, and food support for families and individuals.

• Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego – 349 Cedar Street, San Diego   Runs multiple food distribution sites across the county, including free grocery bags and emergency food boxes.

• San Diego Food Bank (Jacobs & Cushman) – 9850 Distribution Avenue, San Diego   Distributes monthly food boxes and groceries through 500+ partner agencies. Includes the Senior Food Box Program and emergency food assistance.

• Feeding San Diego – 9477 Waples Street, Suite 100, San Diego   Provides emergency food boxes, fresh produce, and pantry staples through mobile distributions and community partners.

• Community Christian Service Agency (CCSA) – 4167 Rappahannock Avenue, San Diego   Offers food pantry services, clothing, and support for low‑income families.

• Jewish Family Service Hand Up Food Pantry – Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus, 8804 Balboa Avenue, San Diego   Provides weekly groceries, fresh produce, and culturally appropriate food boxes.

• Project Food Box (San Diego County)   Distributes farm‑fresh produce boxes in partnership with schools, nonprofits, and community agencies.

Southern California

• Santa Ana (Orange County) – Goodwill Marketplace Outlet 2722 W. 5th St, Santa Ana, CA 92703 ☎️ (714) 541-0471

• Los Angeles – Goodwill Southern California Outlet Store 3150 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065 ☎️ (323) 543-8410

• Panorama City – Goodwill Southern California Outlet Store 14565 Lanark St, Panorama City, CA 91402 ☎️ (818) 892-1231

• Long Beach – Goodwill Auction & Outlet Store 646 W Esther St, Long Beach, CA 90813 ☎️ (562) 435-4761

• Oxnard – Goodwill Wholesale Outlet 1401 Rice Ave, Oxnard, CA 93030 ☎️ (805) 981-7986

• Escondido (San Diego County) – Goodwill Outlet Center & Donation Center 1996 Don Lee Pl, Escondido, CA 92029 ☎️ (760) 871-2138

Central California

• Salinas – Goodwill Central Coast Outlet 1569 N Sanborn Rd, Salinas, CA 93905 ☎️ (831) 423-8611

Northern California

• Sacramento (Date Ave) – Goodwill Outlet 5400 Date Ave, Sacramento, CA 95841 ☎️ (916) 678-5700

• Sacramento (Franklin Blvd) – Goodwill Outlet 6648 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95823 ☎️ (916) 395-9023

• Regular Fares
  
  • LA Metro: $1.75 per ride, $3.50 day cap, $50 monthly cap

• OCTA (Orange County): $2.00 per ride, $4.50 day pass, $69 monthly

• San Diego MTS: $2.50 per ride, $6.00 day pass, $72 monthly

• College/Student Passes
  
  • LA Metro: Free with GoPass program (K–12 and community college)

• OCTA: Discounted college passes through participating schools

• Senior/Disabled Fares
  
  • LA Metro: 75¢ peak / 35¢ off‑peak

• OCTA: $0.75 per ride

• San Diego MTS: About half price on all passes