A San Francisco family may need prepared food, help with bathing, and a break for the caregiver at the same time. The useful first step is to separate those needs: the Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) guides and coordinates; Meals on Wheels San Francisco screens people for home delivery; Project Open Hand offers community meals and nutrition programs with their own criteria.
The DAS Benefits and Resources Hub is at 2 Gough Street and answers calls at (415) 355-6700; the city also lists (800) 814-0009. The Hub connects residents with information about in-home care, case management, caregiver support, Medicare, meals, and other services. The administrative office at 1650 Mission Street requires an appointment, so do not mistake it for the walk-in service desk. San Francisco works with community ADRC sites across the city; the Hub can identify the one serving a home address.
If an older adult lives alone, cannot shop or cook, or recently left a hospital, Meals on Wheels San Francisco publishes screening for residents age 60 and older. The nonprofit prioritizes physical, social, and economic need; start through the DAS Hub or call (415) 920-1111. Delivery can include wellness checks. Confirm eligibility, current charges, diets, and the estimated start date with the provider.
For a meal with other people, Project Open Hand invites adults age 60 and older to its Community Nutrition Program at breakfast and lunch sites. Its Wellness and CalAIM programs serve people with specific diagnoses or Medi-Cal plans and may require a medical referral. The Polk Street location lists nearby Muni service and Civic Center; check current pickup hours and confirm whether the assigned service is congregate dining, pickup, or home delivery before going.
The city offers several entry points rather than one universal waitlist. For personal care, ask about an IHSS assessment; for food, explain whether the person can leave home or needs delivery; for caregiver help, ask about respite and training. Have the ZIP code, age, mobility, preferred language, insurance, diet, and caregiver phone number ready. Providers decide capacity and requirements, so a referral is a starting point, not a service guarantee.
During the call, record the program name, required paperwork, and estimated timeline; ask about accessibility, fees, transportation, and what to do during a hospital stay. For a medical emergency, call 911. For ongoing needs, request coordinated screening and keep the follow-up worker’s contact details.
Disability + Aging Services — San Francisco Human Services Agency.
1650 Mission Administrative Offices — San Francisco Human Services Agency.
Department of Disability and Aging Services — San Francisco Human Services Agency.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — San Francisco Human Services Agency.
Meals on Wheels San Francisco — Qualification and Pricing — Meals on Wheels San Francisco.
Get Meals / How to Apply — Project Open Hand.
Project Open Hand San Francisco — Project Open Hand.
Information checked against official program and provider pages on October 23, 2026. Eligibility, fees, waitlists, and availability must be confirmed with each administrator.
Start with the DAS Hub and request the precise route: Meals on Wheels delivery, community meals, or an in-home care assessment.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services — Benefits and Resources Hub
2 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
The DAS Hub is San Francisco’s municipal entry point for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and caregivers. It connects callers with meals, in-home care, case management, caregiver support, benefits, protection, and activities; each program sets its own assessment and service rules.
Public aging and disability resource navigation
Meals on Wheels San Francisco
2230 Jerrold Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124
Meals on Wheels San Francisco screens city residents age 60 and older who have difficulty leaving home, shopping, or preparing food. Its delivery network provides meals and wellness checks; applicants can start by phone through DAS or directly with the nonprofit.
Home-delivered meals nonprofit
Project Open Hand — Community Nutrition and Wellness Programs
730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Project Open Hand serves community meals to San Francisco residents age 60 and older and adults with disabilities; its Wellness and CalAIM programs have separate medical and insurance criteria. It offers congregate dining, pickup options, and home delivery for eligible clients.
Community nutrition nonprofit
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
San Francisco Human Services Agency · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
San Francisco Human Services Agency · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
San Francisco Human Services Agency · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
San Francisco Human Services Agency · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Meals on Wheels San Francisco · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Project Open Hand · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Project Open Hand · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official program information ↗
Primary source
San Francisco Human Services Agency · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services — Benefits and Resources Hub ↗
Primary source
San Francisco Human Services Agency · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services — Benefits and Resources Hub ↗
Primary source
San Francisco Human Services Agency · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official program information ↗
Primary source
Meals on Wheels San Francisco · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Meals on Wheels San Francisco ↗
Primary source
Meals on Wheels San Francisco · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official program information ↗
Primary source
Project Open Hand · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Project Open Hand — Community Nutrition and Wellness Programs ↗
Primary source
Project Open Hand · Accessed October 23, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.