Burbank Temporary Aid Center - Burbank, California

SunShine McWane

I really Really REALLY wish these people understood people asking for help are really desperate so purposely making them make multiple trips is really messed up and they keep asking for different paperwork. No matter how much paperwork you give them it's not enough. They turned me away when I DESPERATELY needed diapers because, "hey it's not their kid so what do they care? Right?" I walked down there, it took 40 minutes and the paperwork they're asking for on the website is different than what they want in person. In person they ask for my child's birth certificate but they don't ask for that on the website. I have all this proof that I have food stamps but they want a statement saying how much food stamps I have and if the food stamp office gave me that paperwork it was months ago. Don't these people understand if people are really Really REALLY poor and desperate maybe they don't have a whole entire novel of paperwork? I understand a few things they might need to establish poverty but asking for paper work from months ago? I chased down all this paperwork; I got my bank statement printed up, found my kid's birth certificate, showed I was on section 8, showed I was on food stamps, no matter what, they make up NEW paperwork they want. And it doesn't matter how much paperwork you give them, they're not happy; they'll just invent NEW paperwork they want. Basically they want you to keep making trips back and forth until you give up. That's what they're basically trying to get you to do. You can read the other reviews and see others are saying the same. And they had 0 conscious turning me away when I asked for diapers. I was really desperate and they just did NOT care at all. Don't they understand maybe people can't walk back and forth to them 40 minutes there and 40 minutes back multiple times? They really do NOT understand the people they're trying to help. How am I supposed to carry 3 loads of laundry and walk down there everyday for 40 minutes just for them to turn me away EVERY TIME. It's really a waste of time because no matter what paperwork you have it's not enough for them. They're not gonna help you. They see how desperate you are and play the run around game with you until you give up. God I feel bad for the homeless people that try to get help out of them because you know homeless don't have a mountain of paperwork to take around with them everywhere. So they Really aren't gonna help homeless people asking for a novel of paperwork. Oh other really important thing they tell you to make an appointment by phone but NO ONE will EVER ever answer the phone. No one ever, they will never let you talk to a person on the phone.

Tadeh Zirakian

While I appreciate all your efforts and support, I request you to check the expiration dates of all items before giving them out. Please please please check the expiration dates very carefully since this is extremely important. More than 50% of the items that I witnessed, including the milk, frozen meat, cakes, bread, sweets, canned food, etc., were expired either one or two days ago or two months ago, or even in 2019! Thanks for your consideration. Blessings...

Jordan Jones

No offense to the people here who are actually working on the front lines but my experience with this place has not been good. The people who run this place seem to have all the usual patronizing attitude toward the unhoused, which shows through in all the unreasonably strict rules.

The message seems to be that we need to learn how to be responsible, that we ended up in this situation because we are irresponsible. I wonder what might happen if you people offered some help without all the humiliation? No wonder people don't want to deal with this and you have empty houses and hotel rooms allocated for the homeless.

I skipped work last week so I could make it to the biweekly shower, because the YMCA paused their shower program. I missed out on $150 just so I could take a shower. Today i was in Culver City, where i work, and i woke up a bit late. I started driving to Burbank and saw that i was going to be 10 minutes late for my appointment, so I called ahead to tell them. They said there is a 5 minute grace period and i would have to reschedule for Friday, 4 days from now. All of this for a shower!

I do not want your help if this is how it will be. I will wipe myself off with wipes until the YMCA starts their shower program again. Then I might not miss work again. I will make it out of this situation and it will be no thanks to you.

Marlana Hernandez

I appreciate everything these people do ? we are blessed to have this kind of help especially a single mother of two kids .I wasn't as happy that I seen a lot of people with expensive cars and getting help how does that work ? Anyways they close early at 11:30 when I was in a rush to be there they closed at 12:00 and I got there at 11:30 and they turned me down other than that this place really helps out when you're in need

Cass B

Turned me away when I was starving. Expects people to fill out an info packet and be able to make the trek multiple times while having zero resources.

I don't understand the response. That's what I said. You expect people to make the trip multiple times in order to apply for aid. It can be an hour trip there via public transit, even as a Burbank resident.

Patricia Winstead

If someone asks for food , give to them !!!! What is important where they live !!!! I im struggling right now . I have to go somewhere else to get food ...

Meki Cox

This place does amazing things for the homeless and people who are struggling. They work tirelessly and get donations and are probably the best volunteer or paid staff I have ever met in any business. These people do so much on such a little budget. If you can donate a week of sandwiches or food or money to this place you really do make a difference. So many people are homeless or jobless or at the end of their rope for whatever reason and it could happen to you, me , a family member or a friend at any moment and these people provide a little dignity, healthy food to families, clothing, tokens for the bus, showers and so much more... You should give what you can, volunteer if you can, help them make a difference. Trader Joe's, and Costco have been donating, if you have an in with a major chain get them to contact this place or if you have a restaurant or know an owner of a restaurant or anything that could donate food or money.. this is one fantastic place to help out. Look around you. so many of our people are sleeping in the streets, in their cars, in doorways... Maybe you've been blind to it for too long.... These are people just like you and I.... And they are of our people. It could be you someday so while you have either the time or the money help this place do even more amazing things For those in need.

G-City Ent. (G-Tek)

This place is a blessing and they are very generous. The donations are really used for a great cause and unlike other charities, you will actually see where your donations are going because it's always full of people that need help. The staff are volunteers and they are loyal to helping the community

The reason my review has one star is because iv noticed a change in there policy that hinders people that are already struggling to begin with. People that live in there vehicles take there homes with them everywhere they go. Gas prices have been on the rise and have made it next to impossible to afford living in your car. I'm sure the Aid Center staff understand that the struggle is far greater than ever before.

When you look on Google it shows this business is open until 12pm. Few months ago I arrived at 11:45am and was declined service and I felt that i might have been racially discriminated against. I respectfully left and the gas money spent getting there was lost. A few months later i arrived at 11:26 and was denied again. Although the sign on the door said 12pm closing, I voiced my opinion and respectfully left once again loosing money. So today I arrived at 11:17 and was told they aren't taking anymore orders because it's after 11:15 which is the time they choose to stop taking orders to make sure they are done by 11:30. So once again I loose. I spent $6.40per gallon today and was declined service. As I was writing my review, I witnessed a white male arrive at 11:32am and he received groceries... THIS TRULY HURTS MY FEELINGS BECAUSE I HONESTLY LOVE THIS CENTER AND WHEN I GET BACK ON MY FEET I PLAN ON SUPPORTING THIS CAUSE TO GIVE BACK TO THIS GREAT COMMUNITY. THIS POLICY IS TURNING AWAY PEOPLE I NEED AND WAISTING TIME AND MONEY HOMELESS PEOPLE DONT HAVE.