Burbank Temporary Aid Center - Burbank, California

Briar E.

The employees didn’t make me feel like a pitty case or an attraction at a zoo, they made me feel like a person. Just as importantly I don’t have to go to the store to fill in the holes, we got actual food that we can use to make meals. Thank you all so much for being humans 🙂

Felicia F.

I'm reading the reviews and RESPONSES. The responses from whoever manages this place is definitely rude and patronizing. If you are in a position where you are to help desperate humans........change the attitude in the way you respond. Or maybe change careers. I know there is paperwork that must be completed in order for the organization to run. Maybe just maybe have some compassion and DROP the rude under tone you seem to have! It clearly seeps through.

SunShine M.

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 Z.

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 J.

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.

Meki C.

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.

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.

Marlana H.

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