Kids 18 and under can get free lunches and snacks across Berkeley this summer at parks, a community center, the pool, and the Central Library.You don’t need to apply, show proof of income, or sign up. Children just need to go to any participating spot during mealtimes and eat the meals there.Free summer lunches make sure kids still get healthy food even when school is out.Until July 31, the City…

Gather your squad of hoopers and register for a one-day, adult 3-on-3 basketball tournament to see how you stack up against the local best.Teams of three to five will play half-court games. Everyone gets a chance to play several games before the playoffs start. Referees will be there for every matchup, and the top two teams will take home trophies.Whether your crew plays every week or you’re…

Use an hour of a weekday morning to help pack or deliver nutritious, fresh meals for Berkeley’s homebound seniors. You can expect to make 8-15 deliveries during your shift, which should take about an hour.If you can't commit to a regular weekly shift, you can also join the on-call list and help when additional volunteers are needed.You can also request a walking or biking route to make…

National Night Out is a nationwide event that helps neighbors get to know each other and build stronger community ties. When you know your neighbors, it’s easier to build a safer, more connected community and support one another during emergencies.  Host a potluck, fire up the grill for a cookout, scoop up an ice cream social, or keep it simple with a neighborhood meet-and-…

Berkeley residents, especially those in the hills, can team up with neighbors and experts in the Fire Department to reduce wildfire risk—which could create a path to lower insurance rates. It will take a couple of steps:  

…

Sign up for — or update your existing account – on Berkeley’s emergency alerting system to quickly know what protective actions you, your family, or your co-workers should take during emergencies.When you sign up for AC Alert, include all your phone numbers, email addresses, and locations of interest to get critical emergency information wherever you are.Make sure each member of your household…

Prepare for wildfire season by using a free City of Berkeley service that will take away shrubs, limbs, brush, and other “hard” vegetation you gather from your property.   Residents can sign up online for this service, known as our “Berkeley Chipper Program." Register for a neighborhood chipping event or sign up to get an email when the next nearby event is scheduled. If you live in a…

Berkeley homeowners can upgrade their windows, roofs, eaves, and vents to prevent a wildfire’s sparks, embers or heat from setting your home ablaze.Changing building features or materials to be more fire resistant is particularly important the closer a home is to undeveloped areas like forests and regional parks.  A wildfire’s heat and embers often surge ahead of a blaze and expose…

Winter rains and winds can lead to flooding, downed power lines, and fallen trees. Know how to reduce flooding risks near your home and who to call to report those hazards.Minimize flooding and water damage around your home by clearing gutters, downspouts, driveways, and drains. If your property has ever flooded, use sandbags to help divert water. Residents and merchants can pick up some from the…

Know how to safely care for, replace, and re-charge lithium batteries, which are common in household devices.Berkeley has had eighteen fires linked to lithium-ion batteries involving e-skateboards, e-scooters, and e-bikes since 2023. Although incidents are down in the city, these dangerous fires continue to happen around the region and nation. Simple tips can help keep you and your household…