Community Seva understands homelessness to be an intersectional and complex health crisis and views unhoused individuals not as grim statistics, but whole people with dreams and desires. Community Seva engages in multiple projects that compassionately focus on immediate and fundamental basic needs and the dignity and long term mental and emotional well-being of our recipients. Our vision is to support and encourage unhoused individuals towards increased self reliance, self sufficiency and self worth.
DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Community Seva serves daily fresh hot meals for homeless individuals.
Each meal is curated by our in-house nutritionists with an emphasis on balanced meals. Additionally, we serve Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to ensure that no one is alone on special holidays. On average, every month, we serve about 6000+ meals to unhoused individuals across Santa Clara and Alameda counties. Each meal costs $7.00-$8.00 per person.
330,000
meals served
OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS
In 2014, Community Seva launched our outdoor essentials program for the unhoused community who are exposed to the elements on a daily basis.
Our Outdoor Essentials Kit contains new sleeping bags, blankets, beanies, gloves, ponchos, shoes, socks and solar phone chargers to keep our recipients safe and warm while living on the streets. We provide these throughout the year, and especially during the cold winter months.
10,000
distributed
HYGIENE CARE KITS
Community Seva launched our care kits project in 2015 in response to the feedback of unhoused individuals.
Our care kits include dental hygiene kits, lotion, soap, shampoo, hand sanitizers, comb, granola bars and wet wipes. Many homeless women also shared their need for feminine hygiene products and in response, Community Seva created feminine hygiene kits to fill the gap in these resources.
6,000
distributed
SHOWER AND LAUNDRY FACILITIES
To restore dignity for unhoused individuals, Community Seva launched our mobile shower and laundry facilities in 2018.
These hot showers provide a way to improve the personal hygiene of unhoused individuals, reduce their risk of infections and has a positive impact on their mental health and self confidence. At the same time, we provide a holistic range of items and services like food and hygiene kits.
2000
showers
FOOTWEAR DISTRIBUTION
In response to the unprecedented rain and cold in December 2022, Community Seva launched our footwear project and distributes new high quality footwear and socks for the unhoused community.
Community surveys highlight hypothermia as a leading cause for injuries, disease and death among the homeless community. Many recipients have shared the joy they experience from finding their perfect pair of shoes in the color and size they need. We distribute these shoes and socks in various encampments, parking lots, on the streets and other locations where unhoused individuals gather. The need is estimated to be 5000+ in Santa Clara alone.
1200
pairs
SAFE SHELTER (NEW!)
Launched in late 2023, our safe shelter program aims to provide unhoused individuals and families with immediate, safe and temporary housing during times of crises.
While most local shelters aim to provide immediate support, the reality is that shelters reach capacity almost always – with many local homeless shelters having a three month waiting period, leaving
many vulnerable individuals without a place to stay for the night. Our project aims to address this gap by providing temporary housing solutions through hotel accommodations for unhoused individuals.
26
nights so far!