People Who Need People

Pros

• The staff are awesome and help people in need without hesitation.
• Paula is amazing - professional, helpful, and attentive to deadlines.
• The service is great; all staff are nice, professional, and friendly.
• The center provides clothing and food items generously to those in need.
• It is a great place to volunteer, with diverse programs and resources.
• Miss Lori is amazing and goes the extra mile.
• The front desk handles tasks quickly in a clean, organized environment.
• They are very helpful and friendly, willing to do what they can for people.
• They do not charge families for clothing through FSA.
• Drive-thru food pickup is fast and easy.

Cons

• Paula hung up on the reviewer after being asked to look up case information.
• The staff and volunteers were described as rude.
• Donors found the donation process awkward and weird.
• The programs offered were not available and staff were slacking and not helpful.
• The reviewer criticized the food portions and the Kool-Aid, calling them insufficient and low quality.
• The reviewer alleged favoritism toward Hispanics within the organization.
• A staff member was described as aggressive.

Review

This collection of impressions paints a vibrant, fault-lines-and-foundation picture of a community service center that many people rely on for food, clothing, and housing-related assistance. Across dozens of notes, the thread is clear: the center regularly mobilizes volunteers and staff to help families in need, and a large portion of the experience hinges on how individuals are treated on the day they seek aid. Some encounters feel like a lifeline - fast, organized, and compassionate - while others reveal moments of confusion, frustration, or perceived indifference that leave lasting negative impressions.

A recurring chorus in the reviews is the generosity and dedication of the people who show up to help. Several readers highlight the everyday kindness of staff and volunteers, noting how reachable, courteous, and patient they can be. Breakfast programs, clothing and food distributions, and a busy front desk are mentioned as consistent strengths. The place is described as efficient and well-intentioned, with volunteers who genuinely care about providing resources and making sure families have what they need, from diapers and toys to toiletries and warm clothing. Among the standout personal stories are mentions of Lori, who "is amazing" and goes the extra mile, and the overall sense of a place where "the people are really nice" and the team "really cares about you." The sense of a supportive, community-rooted mission is reinforced by references to ongoing programs, the availability of various resources under one roof, and the presence of pastors, trunk ministries, and other partners who contribute to the broader safety net.

Yet the narrative is not uniformly positive. A number of reviewers point to inconsistent experiences with a specific staff member, Paula, who appears to be a central figure in many interactions. Some praise her professionalism, attentiveness, and helpful follow-through - reminding clients about deadlines, ensuring they have necessary documents, and offering warm, friendly service. Others describe a very different encounter: Paula allegedly acted as if she didn't know about rental assistance she previously mentioned, hung up on a caller, or otherwise failed to provide the support needed. This split in perception underscores a broader theme: even when the program as a whole aims to help, individual staff dynamics can dramatically color a client's sense of fairness and effectiveness, especially around sensitive areas like case management and housing assistance.

There are also voices of caution about the help process itself. Several reviewers share experiences of denial or discouraging requirements for rental assistance, noting it can feel like the rules don't align with personal circumstances. One reviewer describes a back-and-forth that seems to defy logic, where proof of paying bills was demanded instead of demonstrating the opposite, leading to a perception of rigidity or inconsistency. Another reviewer raises concerns about potential bias, suggesting that service decisions may unintentionally favor some groups over others. These accounts remind readers that the path to aid can be complicated and sometimes opaque, leaving those in need feeling overwhelmed or unfairly treated.

Donations and donations-related experiences are another dimension of the picture. Some readers recount awkward or rude encounters when donating clothes or goods, with rules about what can be accepted or how donations are handled?for example, limits on the amount and type of clothing, or a strict preference for clean, laundered items. One reviewer explicitly states they will donate elsewhere due to a perceived lack of warmth or reasonable receptivity, while others report positive interactions where generous donations are welcomed and quickly put to use. The mixed feedback here underscores the human side of a large operation that processes a high volume of items and volunteers, sometimes making for uneven experiences at the point of donation.

Overall, the center is portrayed as a place of real potential and genuine community impact. People describe it as a "Blessing Center" and as a place where "every day is a new Blessing," where God, faith, and service intersect with practical help like food distribution, clothing drives, and access to essential services. The sentiment of gratitude is strong: many leave with a sense of relief, a note of thanks, and a belief that the organization is doing important, sometimes lifesaving work. The presence of coordinated programs, the involvement of volunteers, and the willingness of staff to connect clients with additional resources all contribute to a strong sense of mission and purpose.

In sum, the stories reflect a complex but hopeful portrait of a community hub that clearly matters to many people. The center is celebrated for its caring staff, its broad array of services, and the tangible impact on families facing hardship. At the same time, the tension between high expectations and the realities of limited resources, staff dynamics, and the challenging requirements of aid programs hints at room for growth. Positive encounters are heartfelt and consistent enough to inspire referrals and ongoing support, while negative experiences offer important reminders that effective, fair, and compassionate service requires continual attention to communication, consistency, and the human touch at the point of contact.

This part of Redlands, California is a well-connected and convenient area with a variety of amenities and services nearby. There are several physicians and medical centers within close proximity for easy access to healthcare. Additionally, there are numerous restaurants offering diverse dining options, as well as cafes for a leisurely coffee break. Pharmacies are also conveniently located for medication needs. For leisure activities, there are theaters for entertainment and parks for outdoor relaxation. Places of worship provide spiritual support within the community. The area also has hospitals nearby for any medical emergencies. Overall, this neighborhood offers a balanced mix of convenience, amenities, and services that could be suitable for senior living.

Physicians

• Mountain Vista Optical (0 miles)
• Aesthetic Skin & Laser Medical Center: Steven E. Hodgkin, MD (0.3 miles)
• Beaver Medical Group (0.4 miles)
• Jamron Neil D MD (0.4 miles)
• Clonch, Thomas J DDS: Thomas J Clonch, DDS (0.5 miles)
• In Your Best Interest Medical Clinic (1.2 miles)
• Beaver Medical Group (1.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Eating Room (0 miles)
• Aroi Mak Mak (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• September’s Taproom & Eatery (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.7 miles)
• Mr. Taco (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Lopez, Kristina - Beaver Medical Group (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• ABC Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Ascend Pharmaceuticals (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• Studio Movie Grill (0.3 miles)
• Mountain Grove 16 (1.9 miles)

Cafes

• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Stell Coffee & Tea Company (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• The Labyrinth At Memorial Chapel. University Of Redlands (1.1 miles)
• The River Christian Reformed Church (1.1 miles)
• Trinity Church (2.1 miles)
• Packinghouse Church (2.3 miles)
• Crosswalk Church (3.4 miles)
• National Association of Seventh Day Adventist Dentists (4.8 miles)

Parks

• Brookside Park (1.8 miles)
• Leonard Bailey Park (3 miles)

Hospitals

• Loma Linda Ambulatory Care Center (3.2 miles)
• Mountain View Surgery Center (3.3 miles)
• Jerry L Pettis Memorial (4 miles)

Transportation

• San Bernardino Transit Center (7.3 miles)