If you've ever wished you could help the underserved economically underprivileged and homeless populations of our cities by taking your perfectly good old clothes and putting them directly into the hands of someone in need without anyone reselling them for profit (goodwill) or pushing a religious agenda with a history of homophobia (salvation army), then this is it. I was just there and there was a line 30 deep of people who NEED assistance, and it was being given to them, free of charge, by these good folks. I will definitely be back with more donations and would encourage anyone to bring what they have to give here as well. read more

On August 1st, 2024, my uncle and aunt went to a food distribution site to collect food. Arriving early, they placed a cart in line to hold their spot while they went elsewhere to get more food. When they returned, they found a woman had cut in line and was repeatedly pushing their cart aside. They tried to ignore her and resumed their place in line. However, the woman, for some unknown reason, seemed to think my uncle was in her way and shoved him with her hands, causing him to hit his head on a pot and fall to the ground, bleeding. He was unconscious by the time the ambulance arrived. We hope the food distribution site can identify this woman and help us seek justice. Please be cautious if you encounter her! The site itself is convenient, and the volunteers are wonderful, but some customers can be a problem. read more

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It's a bit pointless when they force someone to choose food or no food because they open late and didn't tell anyone. Also be very careful product sits out in sun no proper refrigerator, got sick last time off some spoiled pre-packed jicama. Some health code violations going on. Very diff than Berkeley food pantry whom follows health code and food safety standards. Emery assistance are actually wasting food as a lot of the food is expired which means you either eat expired food and perhaps get sick or throw away. So on top of perishables sitting out in sun and previously expired your asking for a food borne illness They really need to go check out how berk food pantry does things. read more

Emeryville Citizens Assistance Program - Picked up today 4/27/22 yet date is 4/18/22 and it was sitting in sun for how long... - Food Banks Near Me - Emeryville, California

Wonderful people sharing with the people in Emeryville and throughout the East Bay. I love ECAP. I see them sharing the love in Emeryville but also in Oakland. read more

Oriana saved me and my dog sargent from starvation so many times. This place can help you eat food that isn't out of a dumpster. Thankful for ecap and the people who work here. If not for them probably not be alive. Thank you. read more

I understand that ECAP provides an important service to a vulnerable community, and that's all great when that service isn't in your neighborhood. When you live by a place like this, you get to be a part of the darker side of the community assistance game. Some cool experiences living near ECAP: Elderly Chinese woman pissing in your front yard while making direct eye contact with you in broad daylight; Having your recycling bin stolen once per month; A sidewalk so covered in discarded fruits, vegetables, and various bread products that it's impossible to navigate; The army of pigeons that have been feasting on the aforementioned discarded food crapping all over your car, walkway, house, mailbox, and pretty much everything you own; Having people decide when they're in front of your house that they no longer want to carry the mountain of free donations (clothes, food, etc.) they've scored, so they just leave them there for you to throw away; People performing sex acts (for money?) in cars parked in the ECAP lot after hours; Nearly being mauled by a crazed pit bull that's been chained to a pipe on the side of the building by an ECAP "customer"; Human feces. I really hope ECAP relocates to a more industrial part of town in the near future. read more

The Lady who works there was straight up RUDE RUDE RUDE. I mean I can see you can raise your tone and get impatient when people ask you questions repeatedly....no. She will just scream and yell at you simply when you ask her where to stand in-line? Worst yet I see her yelling for no reason!!! I mean it's a great organization with good mission. But why have to treat people like this just because you have that little authority to direct. It defeats the organizations purpose! We strongly recommend management to take in consideration. read more

I love donating to ECAP! I just did today as a matter of fact! They take ANYTHING and GIVE it away to folks who are in need. They will also give a receipt for tax purposes. I love that I can donate, kids clothes, my clothes, books (for big and little people), kids toys, coffee mugs, coffee maker, Christmas decorations... and more all at the same place and they come help you unload your car! I don't even have to get the kids out of the car. I always tell folks about ECAP! read more

Good people doing great things for their community. This is a place I will continue to support now that I've found out about it. They took 3 bags of clothing and asked if I'd like a receipt immediately. It was very quick, and all I wanted to do was thank every one of the volunteers. Maybe they read these reviews, maybe not, but THANK YOU! You guys are amazing. read more

I took bags and bags and bags today of kids and women's clothing and definitely it was gone through right away. It was hard to tell who worked there, who hung out, and who needed the clothes.....frankly, it seemed they all needed help. They were all extremely outgoing, friendly and helpful. There didn't seem to be any kind of receipt to be had....I didn't ask and I doubt there was....that wasn't really the point - but you should just know that in case you're looking for one. read more

The lady giving out the food here is so rude. Shes probably the meanest rudest person i ever met in my life. Really makes your cooporation look terrible. I would never donate to such a woman. Also there are comepletely no signs anywhere at the facility letting you know where to donate. I would give this place 0 stars for the womans attitude today but it only lets me give 1. Truly a terrible woman. She seemed drunk and out of her mind. She told me to leave and to never comeback. How rude and all i was trying to do was donate read more

I had a bag of clothes sitting around my apartment for a loooong time. I was doing some research trying to find another donation venue other than Goodwill or Salvation Army (not because I don't think they are both good causes) I wanted to directly support local community efforts. ECAP is a great place to donate to and I will definitely be donating more to them in the future. It's totally free for those in need and very easily accessible. There is street parking on 37th, directly after the ECAP building. read more

I've dropped off several boxes and bags of clothing & miscellaneous goodies (art supplies, kitchen ware, odds & ends). Three loads, 3 different volunteers who met me, and each time it could not have been easier. The people were friendly and grateful, and assured me that everything I dropped off would be appreciated by someone. The sign is obscured by vines & plants, so it can be easy to miss, but once you find it, it's easy to pull right into the lot to park. I appreciate knowing that the place is run by volunteers - no middle men, no waste. It's a great place to know about. read more

I actually volunteered at the ECAP on April 23rd, 2009 as part of a program from work, and I got to see first hand what goes on inside those walls. The place is not fancy, but it sure is effective, and it is all ran by volunteers. The Food Bank delivers food donations every week, and people like you donate clothes they don't really use anymore, and it all goes to a great cause! My coworkers and I helped pack grocery bags for whoever needed it...low income people, the homeless and whoever is in need. Everyone gets FREE food and they can also get FREE clothes and toys for the kids. My heart went out to all yesterday when I saw first hand all the people in need just in this community, and they were all so thankful for the bag of food they got, even though there wasn't anything fancy in the bag. I also noticed lots of elderly in need! This is a great place to donate food, clothing and toys...this is for a GREAT CAUSE! I'm definitely a fan and will donate more of my time, food and clothes to help the less fortunate. I highly recommend you go inside and make your donations in person instead of just dropping it by in the green bin outside of the ECAP...I don't think those clothes are distributed at this particular location. Oh and the people working there were all very nice! read more

ECAP does amazing work in the community. Actually, amazing is an understatement. Words can barely begin to describe the level of impact, real impact, these men and women have on the local area. I've moved an hour out of the area but I still drive to Emeryville to donate anything of value to them because I know first hand where the money and resources are going. Nellie has always greeted me warmly and professionally, and you can tell she puts her whole heart into helping people from all walks of life. People complain about little things here and there, but they get a 5-stars from me because I see the impact they have with the limited funding and resources available to them. Keep on keeping on! read more

I agree. There's nothing more humbling than seeing where your donations go in real-time. I encourage anyone living in the Emeryville/Berkeley/Oakland area to really give to this place. read more

Great place to bring your family to help the community receive food that comes from local grocery stores and restaurants. I see many parents bringing their teenagers there to get a reality check on life and help them be thankful for what they have. Spend some time there helping and you will go away feeling much better about your circumstances in life. read more

Great program that does a great deal in the community by providing fresh produce daily

ECAP is really easy to miss, as the sign is now gone and the place is just a tiny storefront with a bevy of locals congregating in the parking lot. This is my favorite place to donate, though, as they will literally accept anything. I go to ECAP at least once a month to donate clothes, books, DVDs or any household items. Someone always comes to my car and helps carry my stuff inside, so I'm in and out in under 5 minutes every time. I highly recommend donating here since your stuff will go directly to people in need rather than being resold at a second hand store. Everyone at ECAP is polite - locals are respectful, volunteers are helpful and can give you a receipt upon request - and despite a somewhat shady looking exterior, I've had pleasant and safe experiences all 10-15 times I've been there. Consider going here before putting stuff on your street or reselling it, as it's always good to give back to our community. Note: They will apparently pick up if you live near-ish and have something too big to haul yourself. read more

I've called multiple times to get information and the woman answers says "Hello" and "I can't hear you" and hangs up every time. Not very helpful at all. Check your phone, it's not mine. read more

I've been donating here for years! this is one organization that has almost Zero overhead - everything goes directly to those they help. which has me want to clarify the 5 star "woohoo! as good as it gets": it would get even better if they had more funding - there's SO much need, and they do SO well, but I just heard they're struggling to find a place (they just lost their subsidized rent from the city)- so if any of you reading this have funds to donate as well as clothes, appliances, etc., know that you'd be contributing to an incredibly great organization. PS: They will indeed give you a receipt, you just need to ask for Nellie or someone else from staff, and they'll get you one. read more

I have dropped off everything from clothes, furniture, framed pictures, and tons of brand new samples from our promotional business - they're very appreciative and helpful and I wouldn't think of taking things anywhere else. They're very wonderful people that I want to continue to help! read more

I called ECAP as a long standing resident of Emeryville for over 35 years to have my 5th grader perform community service hours to be promoted to middle school and even with a requested supervising adult they refused him. With all that's going on in the community to turn away any young person is a DISGRACE and makes me ashamed that they are a part of the Emeryville community. read more

The person complaining about ECAP and describing the negative events is blaming ECAP for all the ills of her neighborhood: i.e. people peeing in her yard, human feces, pigeons pooping on cars, illegal dumping, etc. Obviously she hasn't taken a look around the entire area. All of these behaviors are exemplified throughout the urban areas of Emeryville and Oakland. ECAP is NOT the reason for these ills. Please don't blame a wonderful organization like ECAP for the ills of urban living. Get involved with your community if you want these things to change. Without ECAP you would have more of these negative activities. read more

So I've come here a few times scattered about for my neighbor who is disabled to get her things like fresh produce I have dealt with people being problematic for example cutting each other in line which results to people cutting people back there is a guy who works here who is a elderly Asian guy who walks around with the clipboard for people to sign in I had went here to again get stuff for my neighbor who's is disabled and in a walker I was being sexually harassed in line he had came up with the clipboard and I told him what was going on he tried to act oblivious about it all saying I don't know not only just that I had to call the cops because the guy who was harassing me was lunging towards me as if he was going to attack me still the guy who works there and signs people in did nothing the cop showed up and when they showed up the elderly Asian man who is in charge of signing people was telling the cop in his native tongue to the officer black people come here and cause problems and cut in line what does that have to do with me being harassed in line and threatened how is that even relevant in anyway so after this I felt that my rights were violated as a human being and a person under protected laws so I spoke up about it and called and asked to speak to a head person very interestingly a old white American guy who got on the phone and he said that he did not know if this was true or not true and said that he would tell the guy with the clipboard who signs people in to watch what he says I will be finding another place to go to for my elderly disabled neighbor and if I have to pay out-of-pocket for produce I will I am not putting up with people who allow discriminatory Behavior or any type of prejudice or biasness against people read more

BEST place to donate in the East Bay...they take EVERYTHING (but please don't give them crap; they turn everything around and give it away to people who really need stuff.) Nice people, and they always give me a tax receipt if I ask for one. read more

They no longer will take clothes. We went by today with bags of mixed items: kids' toys, clothes, shoes, books, etc. They wouldn't take clothes and they told us to put the kids' toys out on a table and people would take them. read more

ECAP makes it super easy to donate. Twice I have driven up with my kids in the car, pulled into their parking lot & someone has come out to the car & taken away whatever I brought. They gave me a receipt both times--you just have to ask. It was fast, easy and the people were very friendly. I did call first & give them a heads up that I was coming w/in 15 minutes & would need help with my donations and a receipt. Pulling into the parking lot can be a little tricky--but certainly easier than finding street parking & lugging everything into other donation spots. read more

Yes, the best place to donate to..They take everything but toxics like batteries and paint.

After I tried repeatedly to get directions to the drop-off spot for donations, the lady chewing out the frail Asian lady for using her walker in line glanced at my stuff and declared it too nasty. So I went to Goodwill a few miles north on San Pablo. read more