The name means “House of the Poor” in Spanish. The Casa was originally founded in 1957 by Franciscan Sisters in the Colonia Altamira neighborhood of Tijuana, Mexico.
For more than 65 years, Casa de los Pobres has served the “poorest of the poor” in Tijuana. These families live in nothing more than shacks — with cardboard walls that don’t keep out the cold or rain. A blanket is each family’s prized possession, and tarps keep the children dry in rainy season.
In some areas, the roads become impassable with large ruts and mud, leaving the residents stranded without food for days. The poor and destitute people that come to the Casa’s doors are sick, hungry, frightened, and cold — but also humble and hopeful.
DONATE — MONTHLY RECURRING OR ONE-TIME GIFT — everything helps!
DONATE ONLINE: Donations of any size help the sisters care for the poor every day. Please consider a monthly recurring donation of any amount (check the “recurring” box). Help the sisters provide consistent food and medical care for Tijuana’s poor at Casa de Los Pobres. Your donations feed 1,000+ people each day! Unfortunately, we have been reduced to providing only one meal a day. For many adults and children, this may be their only food for the day. Can you help?
Donate through Network for Good. 
(You can make a single contribution or set up a recurring monthly donation through Network for Good by clicking “Donate Today” above.)
Tax ID #45-0514951
ADOPT A STUDENT with a monthly donation! Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Your monthly donation helps with school supplies and transportation.
DONATE BY CHECK: Checks may be made payable to Casa de Los Pobres USA. Mail your donation to: Casa de Los Pobres USA, P.O Box 9596, San Diego, CA 92169
DONATE BY BILL PAY SERVICE FROM YOUR BANK: This method avoids a 3% service charge on credit card donations. Simply enter the Casa de los Pobres USA as a recurring payment, with the above address.
DONATE GOODS: You may also donate Canned and Dried Food (unexpired), Blankets, Shoes, Backpacks, Socks, etc. See the complete list of items we can accept.
DROPOFF LOCATION: Our Lady of Refuge Church, 4226 Jewell Street (corner of Jewell St. and Oliver Ave.), San Diego, 92109 (enter parking lot on Oliver Street).
Donation Times: Sundays 8:00AM – 2:00PM and Mondays 8:30AM – 3:00PM; Marissa in the office will open the hall for donations.
QUESTIONS? Email us
No one is ever turned away at the Casa. All are nourished, in body, mind, and spirit.
The Casa provides poor families with:
- A hearty breakfast each morning — usually meat with beans and rice, oatmeal and milk, and always hot tortillas. For many parents and children, this may be their only meal of the day.
- A bag of groceries once a week on “Bodega Day”
- Clothes that have been donated to The Casa
- Other home supplies (visitors to the Casa may need soap, toothpaste, shampoo, and other basic necessities)
- General medical care
- Education
The Casa is like a big community center for these people — because they have nowhere else. Fr. Gil Gentile says Mass at the Casa every Thursday via Zoom. The Sisters and people pray for the donors of the Casa every day. If you have a prayer request, email us your intentions to be placed in the prayer basket in the Casa’s chapel.