Community Resources and Programs for Families in Need
We put together some resources for those who might need shelter, clothing, baby items, and food. Please also keep these organizations in mind for charitable gifts and volunteer opportunities, as they are doing wonderful things to help members of our community.
Constance Abbey helps connect people with a variety of services. Check out this link for a comprehensive list of soup kitchens, housing and shelter options, transportation, medical care, disability services, job placement assistance, and so much more.
The Community Alliance for the Homeless has many great resources here.
Hospitality Hub works closely with other organizations to help with temporary housing, job placement assistance, school transportation for Shelby County School students, bus passes, feminine products, computer access, storage lockers, and access to phones and clean restrooms during business hours. In 2022, The Hub Hotel opened, the region’s first barrier-free emergency shelter for women. It is a thoughtfully created and trauma-informed space to promote healing and provide the stability guests need to move out of homelessness. Call (901) 730-1736 for more information.
Tennessee Community Services Help Line: call 2-1-1 or (901) 415-2790. This group can access 10,000 health/human services programs. A real person will help you sort your needs then give you phone numbers/addresses where you can get help.
SHELTERS AND RENT/MORTGAGE/UTILITY ASSISTANCE
Agape Child & Family Services offers a myriad of supports in Memphis.
- Families in Transition (FIT) transitional housing program empowers individuals to break the cycle of violence by providing safety, emergency shelter, crisis intervention, transitional housing, support services, public education, social and legal advocacy. (870) 732-4077
- Rapid Rehousing helps eligible homeless individual/families ages 18-24 quickly obtain permanent stable housing. This program assists tenants in acquiring the skills needed to maintain permanent housing when they exit the program. To apply for A4A Rapid Rehousing, contact Agape at (901) 323 – 3600. Victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact their partner in service, the Family Safety Center, at (901) 222 – 4400.
- Family Stability is critical to individuals and the community. Families come to Agape on the edge of homelessness and in a crisis. The primary goal of this program is to increase stability and reduce student mobility through outreach and case management services. For more information, contact (901) 323 – 3600.
Catholic Charities of West TN provides a variety of services in the Memphis community, including housing services, soup kitchens and food pantries, baby items, refugee services, and more. If you are currently experiencing homelessness or are at risk of eviction while residing in Memphis and Shelby County, Catholic Charities may be able to assist. Please visit Midtown Outreach location (85 N Cleveland, 38104) between 8:00am and 2:00 to speak to a professional or call 901-722-4762.
Clare’s House is a Refuge for women located in the North Memphis 38108 area who want help out of homelessness by providing assistance with life skills, resume writing, employment search, financial planning, and Bible study. Call (901) 207-4652 Monday-Thursday 9 am-3 pm
Community Services Agency (CSA) provides rent/mortgage/utility assistance, counseling, case management, and prescription assistance. To apply for Comprehensive Emergency Assistance Program otherwise known as the Rent/Mortgage Program, complete an online application here.
Dorothy Day House keeps families experiencing houselessness together, creating a safe haven and a community for entire families. (901) 726-6760.
Hospitality Hub works to end homeless in Memphis by connecting individuals with the resources they need to achieve stable housing and better outcomes. 590 Washington Ave. (901)-730-1736
Memphis Union Mission’s Intact Homeless Family Program, located near Shelby Forest provides short-term transitional housing for homeless families. The program can accommodate families with or without children, but couples must be legally married. The program cannot accommodate single-parent families. Families must have their own means of transportation, as the homes are not located near a MATA bus line. Contact Reg Fowler at (901) 357-9641, ext. 3001.
MIFA offers shelter assistance to Shelby County families with minor children who meet HUD’s definition of literal homelessness and have no other resources to prevent homelessness.
- For immediate needs, call the 24-hour Homeless Hotline at (901) 529-4545.
- Family Shelter Placement helps homeless families secure temporary shelter if homelessness cannot be avoided through mediation. Eligible families are literally homeless Shelby County residents, according to HUD’s definition, which means they are living in a place not meant for human habitation, like outdoors or in a car.
- Rapid Rehousing assists literally homeless families with children with short-term assistance to quickly obtain permanent stable housing. Families must already be in emergency shelter to be eligible for this program.
MIFA Emergency Services provides utility, rent, and mortgage assistance for Shelby County households who have lost income or experienced a recent crisis. To apply for assistance, see the list of eligibility requirements and complete this form online.
Missionaries of Charity is a free women’s and children’s shelter for them to stay from 3PM-8AM and receive breakfast for up to three weeks. They are located at 700 N. 7th St. 38107, (901) 527 – 4947.
Moriah House is a Memphis Union Mission’s long-term recovery program for women and their children. This ministry accepts up to 15 women and their children and accommodates them in individual suites with private baths. You can complete an intake form here. (901) 526-8403.
Neighborhood Christian Center offers rent/mortgage/utility assistance, food, clothing, and a youth program. You can visit this link to see if assistance is available.
Room in the Inn has a Family Inn shelters up to 14 families who are in the rapid-rehousing process. Visit the website to submit an application or call (901) 467-0122.
- Renewal Place Family Residence is an up to two-year program for women facing addiction issues and their children. This program allows families to remain together while they work toward sobriety, employment, positive parenting, and financial literacy. 901-543-8586.
- New Directions Family Residence offers emergency services for up to 90 days, providing mothers and children suffering from poverty and homelessness the opportunity to regroup and focus on stabilizing and creating sustainable living as a family unit. 901-260-9104.
Society of St. Vincent DePaul is the only food mission in the area open 7 days a week. Provides 300 hot meals a day. Clothing and other assistance provided when available. (901) 552-7038.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS
Family Safety Center is part of a network of local, statewide, and national organizations working to end domestic violence. 24-hour crisis line: 901-800-6064.
House of Grace Domestic Violence Shelter (located in Southaven, MS) – provides emergency temporary shelter, Domestic Violence counseling, community food pantry, Court Advocate services and housing resources. (662)253-0252.
YWCA Abused Women’s Services is the only 24-hour, emergency domestic violence shelter in Shelby County. They also offer case management services, counseling, career counseling, and referrals for legal services. 24-hour crisis line: (901)725-4277.
BABY ITEMS
Operation: Swaddling Clothes (St. John’s UMC) diapers for families in need. Contact lthibado@stjohnsmidtown.org for more information or call (901)726-4104.
Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry helps meet the basic needs of families by providing diapers, wipes, formula, and other necessities for their babies and improving their quality of life. Clients may pick up supplies once per month while supplies last. Please fill out this online form completely and accurately. A representative will contact you with information on pick up.
Tiny Blessings is a ministry through Catholic Charities and provides diapers, wipes, formula, food, clothes, baby supplies, and more. Please call ahead for assistance at (901)722-4706. Mondays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to noon.
FOOD PANTRIES/ MEALS/SOUP KITCHENS
901 Community Fridges is committed to fighting food insecurity in Memphis by partnering with neighborhoods to place fridges stocked with food and sundries in areas where it’s needed most. Current locations are:
- 1000 S Cooper St (First Congregational Church)
- 685 S Highland St (Trinity Church)
- 362 Tillman St (Binghampton Community Church)
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7400 Cordova Club Dr E
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1170 Mullins Station
Calvary Episcopal Church, 102 N. 2nd St. 38103, provides breakfast Sundays at 7:15 a.m., adult clothes, and toiletries. (901) 525-6602
Catholic Charities of West Tennessee Drive-Thru Food Pantries One way to receive food assistance is by visiting one of four convenient drive-thru mobile pantries, where food boxes are placed into cars, and drivers can stay in the comfort of their vehicles. Fresh produce, meats, breads, and dairy products are also distributed when available. Please bring a copy of your ID and proof of residence (i.e., a mail with your name/address) for this service. Please bring a copy of your ID and proof of residence. Pantry locations include:
- Catholic Charities of West TN midtown center, 1325 Jefferson Ave. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or by appointment
- Catholic Charities downtown outreach center (St. Patrick Catholic Church), 297 S 4th Street, Memphis, TN 38126. Tuesday-Thursday, 12:30-3 p.m. or by appointment.
- St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (Tipton and Lauderdale County), 1225 US-51, Covington, TN 38019. Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m.
- St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1169 Kerr Avenue, Memphis, TN 38106. Tuesday through Thursday 1:00-2:30 PM.
CCWTN also offers daily meal bags five days a week. Each bag contains one day’s worth of nutritious meals. Offered at the Catholic Charities Midtown Outreach Center, 85 N Cleveland Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104. Monday-Friday, 8-10 a.m. and Catholic Charities Downtown Outreach Center (St. Patrick Catholic Church), 297 S 4th Street, Memphis, TN 38126, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 1:00 – 2:30 PM.
Collierville Food Pantry located at 609 E. South Street (near the Collierville Animal Shelter), is open each Thursday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. They serve residents of Collierville, Cordova, Eads and Germantown. To register, a photo ID and proof of residence are required as well as proof of other family members in your household. (901) 853-3235
Grace-Saint Luke’s More Than A Meal invites people experiencing homelessness and hunger to enjoy a nourishing meal, music, and conversation with them and other members of the community in Trezevant Hall, Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s parish hall. Enter the church through the wooden door in the circle parking lot off of 1720 Peabody Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
First Congo offers a weekly meal and a Pantry day to those in need. Check out their Facebook page for updated menus and pantry dates. 1000 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN 38104. (901)278-6786
First Presbyterian Church Provides needed items such as food staples, pants, shirts, socks, hygiene kits and blankets in addition to a hot meal served every Sunday afternoon. 166 Poplar Ave. 38103.
Manna House provides clothing, hygiene items, showers, and coffee or other beverages.
- They are open every Monday and Thursday from 8:00-10:30 a.m. On Monday and Thursday mornings they offer showers for men and women, “Socks and Hygiene,” along with coffee and water.
- More on Monday is a meal served at Manna House every Monday at 5 p.m. Guests arrive beginning around 4 p.m. 1268 Jefferson Avenue, 38104
St John’s United Methodist Church – 1207 Peabody Ave.
- Meals provided on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Food pantry: 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 10:00-12:00 PM. The amount of food given is based on the size of the household served and is enough to feed the family (or an individual) for five days. Fellowship Hall (Peabody entrance).
St. Luke’s UMC – 480 S. Highland St. 38111
- “Manna Bag” – water, Vienna sausages, and a fruit cup (or a fruit bar) and crackers – available to the public during office hours at the front desk to carry in your vehicle to assist those that may pull “your heart strings” as you pass them by
- Saturday Supper – snack is served at 4:00 p.m. The main meal follows at 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday Community Breakfast is a free meal, open to the community, at 8:00 a.m.
- University Cluster Food Pantry provides a four-day supply of food to each person in a family. The food pantry is open the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 9:30 until 12:00 noon. They serve mainly the residents of the nearby zip codes of 38111, 38114, and 38117, but accept all in need who come.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church 155 Market St. 38105. Soup Kitchen. Each day for six days a week, they serve beverages, pastries, a meat sandwich, a peanut butter sandwich, a 16-ounce cup of soup, and fruit, candy or chips.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral 700 Poplar Ave. Saturday Morning Worship and Breakfast at 9:00 am. Guests will be able to fill a shopping bag with items of their own selection, choosing from a variety that may include various pop top items such as Vienna sausage, sardines, fruit cups, water bottle, single-serve chips, cookies, and more.
Memphis First United Methodist Church 204 North 2nd Street 38105.
- Iona Burrito Ministry – Tuesday Evening in outdoor dining area
- Thursday Evenings in Outdoor Sanctuary – a hot meal for all in need and offers various other items, including blankets, coats and socks especially in the winter.
HEALTHCARE NEEDS
Church Health Center is a patient-centered medical home for the working uninsured and their children. Fees are charged on a sliding scale. Medical care includes dental, vision care, physical therapy, and behavioral health services. Free child care provided during appointments. 1350 Concourse Ave. (901) 272-0003
Christ Community Health Services offers adult primary care, pediatric care, prenatal care, behavioral health, counseling, dentistry, Down Syndrome clinic, HIV care, women’s healthcare, telehealth and telephonic visits, and social work (food insecurity, housing needs, clothing, transportation, medication assistance). Refugee services to provide health screenings and immunizations for newly settled refugees. Call or text (901) 842-3160 for appointments.
Forrest Spence Fund helps families with critically or chronically ill children by providing grants to assist with non-medical needs. They also help families with counseling and grief support systems. (901) 421-6909
