Catholic Charities — Bakersfield Community Services
Last updated August 2026
Behind on rent or a mortgage payment after an emergency? Catholic Charities' Bakersfield office gives direct help with both, and runs a food pantry and clothing closet for families in crisis. You do not need to be Catholic; they help anyone in need.
Call (661) 281-2130 first (hours are Monday–Friday 8:30am–3:30pm, minus the 12–1 lunch closure) and describe the emergency. For rent or mortgage help, expect to show what happened and what you owe: the notice from your landlord or lender, proof of household income, ID. Emergency funds get reviewed case by case, so clear paperwork is speed.
Timing is strategy here. Assistance funds are finite and demand never stops, so call the day trouble becomes visible, not the day rent is due. And bring the actual notice with you when you come in. If the answer is "not this month," ask when to call back and what else they'd try in your shoes. Renters should also know the legal clock: after a court summons in California you typically have just 5 business days to respond, and at that point GBLA becomes the urgent call.
The pantry and clothing closet ride along with the same office, so one call can cover all three questions. And when Catholic Charities can't stretch far enough, the county still can: General Assistance covers rent for adults with no other means of support at (661) 631-6000, GBLA defends evictions free once a court summons exists, and 211 tracks which local rent funds have money right now.
Phone (661) 281-2130
Hours Mon–Fri 8:30am–3:30pm (closed 12–1pm)
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Individuals and families in need in the Bakersfield area
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Do I need to be Catholic to get help?
No. Help goes to individuals and families in need in the Bakersfield area, regardless of faith.
When can I call or come in?
Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm, at (661) 281-2130. They close from 12 to 1 for lunch, so plan around it.
What help is there beyond rent?
A food pantry and clothing for families in crisis, alongside the emergency rent and mortgage assistance.
What paperwork helps a rent request move fast?
The notice itself, proof of the household's income, and ID: the documents that show what happened and what's owed. Call (661) 281-2130 and confirm the exact list before you come in.
Can I get food and rent help in the same visit?
Yes. The office runs emergency rent and mortgage help alongside the food pantry and clothing closet. Say everything you need when you call so they can prepare for all of it.
What if their assistance funds are used up?
Ask when to try again, then work the parallel doors the same day: 211 for every rent fund at once, General Assistance at (661) 631-6000, and GBLA at (661) 325-5943 the moment an eviction case is filed.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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