I run a county wide food pantry for low income citizens. At this time of year, I worry about the elderly clients more than ever. It is so cold and many of them cannot afford heat to keep as warm as they need to. The elderly are not the only people who get cold. The children and adults as well as the homeless get cold. My heart just goes out to them.
I am always looking for programs that I can refer them to when they need additional help. There are many wonderful programs out there but they can be difficult to find.
This is a list of a few of the ones that are most helpful. I thought that some of you may need help also. If you do not need help, please consider telling others about these programs. I honestly believe each of us can make a difference in someone else’s life.
Everyone needs help at some time or another. It may not be the kind of help that these programs offer but it is still help.
Sometimes we just need a friend to talk to or someone to help with the kids when we are exhausted. Please take the time to do something special for someone even if you don’t know them. Together, we can put food on the table for all families in the United States. Together, we can keep families warm this winter. Together, we can see that the people who need medical care has access to it. Each of us can make a difference in someone’s life today. You can make a difference. Are you up for the challenge?
If you know of any other programs that help people in need, please post them in the comment area so everyone can have easy access to this information.
R ECEIVE HELP FOR FOOD, BILLS, CLOTHING ETC..
http://modestneeds.org/
YOUR LOCAL SALVATION ARMY
http://www.salvationarmy.org
AARP wants to inform persons with limited income about public benefits for which they may be eligible. Medicaid, food stamps, job training, more.
http://www.aarp.org/money/lowincomehelp/
American Public Human Services Association
Internet site that list social service agencies listed by state so it is easy to find the help needed
Feeding Children Better
Many people have to choose between rent, medicine and food? Not all of them are
eligible for food stamps. Sometimes they own too new of a vehicle or own two lots of land. There are many reasons that someone is not eligible This site lists food banks throughout the United States. Just click on the button that says “get help”
http://www.feedingchildrenbetter.org
Food Assistance Links
There is at least one listing for each state and the site will be
updated regularly.
http://www.geocities.com/queenesperfect
Giving @ Home
A giving board website with links by category.
http://www.givingboard.com/
Giving Board
Whether you are in need yourself or wanting to help others, this is
the place to be! Giving isn't limited to monetary help. Words of
encouragement, prayers and the ability to give others hope are
equally important. We invite you to become part of our "family",
whether it is as a lurker or by chatting and letting us get to know
you better.
http://www.angelfire.com/pro/givingboardangels/GB_Request_Lists_Home.html
Government Assistance For Low Income Individuals And Families. Many
links by State.
(http://www.geocities.com/spetite_oh/assistance.html
Guide Star: children
List of organizations by state that provide supplies and clothing for
children. It also lists organization by state that provides help with utilities.
Heartland Share
This is a program in several states which allows people to buy $25-30
worth of groceries for a small fee plus community service hours.
http://www.heartlandshare.com
Information and Referral Resource Network Provides directory information and links to sites on the Internet for Human Services and associated information and referral, Health and Medical Services, Disease Centers and Reports, Prescription Drug
Products and Reference material, Community Health and Outreach
programs and published information on these subjects. For some reason, I cant get this link to work. I have used it in the past so I will leave the link in the article.
http://www.ir-net.com/
Listing of local food banks
This website will give a listing of food banks in your state. It is
very helpful, even if your income is too high for federal food help
the local food banks will help.
http://SecondHarvest.org
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP is a Federally-funded program that helps low-income households
with their home energy bills. LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the
winter and cool in the summer.
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap/
Newborns in Need Inc.
Help with baby clothes and other items.
http://www.newbornsinneed.org/
Salvation Army
They offer utility bill assistance, emergency food pantry/vouchers,
emergency financial assistance, general health screening and
assessment, medical referrals and access to medical treatment.
http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org
Special Needs Phone Book & Crisis Guide. This is a wonderful all in one site for easy access to programs that help low income families.
The list is extensive of resources for all kinds of needs, some with links,
but all with contact information. Listed alphabetically by category.
Select Moody's Directory in the Consumer Resources column.
http://www.efmoody.com
Many times when financial problems are present, the telephone is the first thing to go. Many people live too far from a neighbor to get help quickly if they have emergency medical problems. To find Telephone bill assistance info. This site Provides helpful information for US citizens about applying for grants for lowering your phone bill. Must be low income.
http://lifelinesupport.org
U.S. Department of Energy Utility Assistance
This federal program assists with utility payments for persons that
have income up to 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.(currently
11,540.00 for a one person household). In most states you can qualify
for assistance 2 times a year.
http://www.eren.doe.gov/
Women Children Family Service Charities of America
Phone: 1-800-626-6481 WCFS is a coalition comprised of many of
America's finest charitable organizations dedicated to meeting the
needs of women, children, and families in America and around the
world. Our members provide real solutions to real problems, and act
as a force for change with law and policy makers.
http://www.womenandchildren.org
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Comments: 32
If I posted incorrectly, please forgive me.
You are welcome. I hope someone can use it.
I hope that it will help brighten someones life this winter.
You are very welcome.
That is my hopes also. :)
There is a foodbank that is national as well but I can't remember the name...maybe someone else can help. It is like Angel food ministry or Angel (something)
You can buy like a week or two of food for like $25.00. My husband's aunt and uncle do this in Pennsylvania and I know that the program is here in Alabama too.
I forgot about that one. It is also available in our area. It is a great program because anyone can get it even if you are not low income by the governments standards.
This is that link. It will take you directly to the host page. You can click on your state and find out if there is a program near you.
You are very welcome
JaNelle,
I hope you will pass it on to others.
That is wonderful information. We have done food drives and received cans of food that were rusted so badly that we had to throw it out. It was not fit to give to our clients. We always check the dates on the food.
I love the tip about volunteering to drive someone in need to receive help. :)
http://www.boxproject.org/familysponsor.html
I did this once and it was great for our family and another family. It is a bit more personal because you write back and forth and send boxes of items now and then. It was a joy seeing "our adopted family" with huge masses of gorgeous flowers from some seeds I sent and one of the children wearing a yellow dress, an item that was asked for, most tentatively. Little things make a huge difference to so many.
Seed packets cost so little, relatively speaking, but the flowers that bloomed nearly covered her trailer. It looked magical!
I also want to point out that the IRS provides its own form of assistance for those who are able to work and to save while they are in a moderate income situation. The IRS sponsors programs to help taxpayers prepare a complete and accurate return, training volunteers to help at libraries, AARP, etc. Call the IRS and ask where you can get this free help, and ask them to send you some of their publications about tax credits and other assistance for wage earners and savers with lower incomes.
Don't forget to reach out to some local social services agency with which you are comfortable, to learn more about what matches your own specific situation. That heating help is wonderful, but I underscore that you must register in advance through an authorized agency, so reach out now.
- Tom, a NY CPA