Free Rochester, NY

Please provide a general outline of the city and its neighborhoods/boroughs/parts of town, including information about political leanings, police forces, population, income levels, social services, etc.

Welfare

Department of Human Services (DHS): 585-753-6000
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): 585-753-5477
Section 8 (Rochester Housing Authority): 585-697-6105

Housing

Free housing, shelters and hostels, etc.

Open Door Mission Samaritan House (210 W Main St)
House of Mercy (285 Ormond St)
Booth Haven Salvation Army (70 Liberty Pole Way)
Person Centered Housing Options (PCHO) — subsidized housing for the chronically homeless
East House — subsidized housing for those with a mental health diagnosis
John Romano Community Residence — beware, it’s off the campus of Rochester Psych Center and sometimes there are stop-bys by the Public Safety Officers

Food

Free/low-cost markets, produce, butchers, day-old bakeries, Food banks, missions, church meals, etc.

Brighton Food Cupboard: 2131 Elmwood Avenue – Door A (Temple B’rith Kodesh), 14618
South Wedge Food Program: 68 Ashland St (9-Noon on Mon, Wed, Fri, or Sat, & emergency deliveries)
Beyond The Sanctuary Food Pantry: 549 Clarissa St. (3–7 every Wed)
People’s Panty: 555 Avenue D, 14621 (9-Noon on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat
House of Mercy: 285 Ormond St. (9am-3pm on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thrs, or Fri)
The Community Place of Greater Rochester: 145 Parslells Ave. (9am-3pm on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thrs)
Rochester Family Mission: 388 Tremont St. (10am-2pm on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thrs, & until 5pm on Wed)
Cameron Community Ministries: 48 Cameron St. (Noon-1:30pm on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thrs, and Fri)

Call 211 for help finding food pantries

Additional food pantries: www.foodlinkny.org/find-food

Medical Care

Planned parenthood, free clinics, free medical advice, Medicare resources, low-cost clinics, etc.

No one likes dealing with armed cops. If you call 911 for an emergency, specifically ask if they can only send an ambulance and not armed cops.
St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center (417 South Ave.) — free medical assistance for both physical and mental health

Dental

St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center (417 South Ave.)
Eastman Dental Center (625 Elmwood Ave)

Legal Aid

ACLU, free legal aid/counseling, pro bono attorneys, etc.

Play

See Free Play section, include details for this city.

Beaches, Swimming Pools, Parks, Sports, Museums, Music, Theatre, TV shows, Movies, etc.

Rochester Drum Circle on Wednesdays at various locations

Information

General weather, traffic, news resources, etc.

Underground Papers

Self-explanatory

Free copies of City Newspaper are available at many drop-off points around the city

Miscellaneous

Any other freebies

All through the Upper Monroe neighborhood are free book shelves.

Public Transit

Subways, Buses, Ferries, Shuttles, etc.

A single ride on RTS buses is $1 and an all-day pass is $3 (but should be free!)

Free Clothing and Furniture

See Free Clothing and Free Furniture section, provide details for this city.

Assorted Freebies

See Assorted Freebies section, provide details for this city, including other topics. Whatever fits and is useful.

Little Caesar’s on Monroe Ave. gives out free whole pizzas at closing time almost every night
Pick out some free vegetables and fruit at 490 Farmers Community Garden
If you have a valid ID and want to charismatically bum drinks at bars, pick one without a security guard
Steal a shopping cart!
City Hall

Survive

Go to the Survive section for ideas and provide any city-specific details, including new topics.