Call 211Call El Bethel
Detroit community support
Back to Hope & Help

Free Resources for Detroit Families — Food Pantry, Utility Help & Emergency Assistance

Find food pantries, housing assistance, utility help, and more free community resources near you in Detroit, Livonia, and Redford.

10 min readReviewed September 2, 2026Financial Help

24/7 Emergency Hotline

Dial 2-1-1 to reach United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Community Care Advocates are available 24/7/365 — free and confidential — and can connect you to help with food, housing, utilities, and more.

Call 2-1-1 Now

Or text your ZIP code to 898-211

If you're struggling to make ends meet, you're not alone. Thousands of Detroit families face financial hardship every day—and there's no shame in asking for help. In fact, that's exactly what these resources are here for.

We've compiled this comprehensive guide to help you find the assistance you need, whether it's food for your family, help with utility bills, housing support, or services for your children. Many of these programs have no documentation requirements, and most are completely free.

💡 Quick Tip:

Save this page to your phone for easy reference. You can bookmark it or add it to your home screen. If you know someone who could use these resources, please share this article with them.

Note: Resource information was reviewed September 2, 2026. Provider availability, hours, funding, and eligibility can change at any time without notice. Always call ahead or check the provider’s website to confirm before you go.

I Need Help With...

Food Assistance

Gleaners Community Food Bank

Largest food bank in Southeast Michigan. Find a distribution site near you.

866-GLEANER (453-2637)Visit Website
Multiple locations throughout Detroit

Forgotten Harvest

Rescues surplus food and distributes to those in need. No documentation required.

248-967-1500Visit Website
Distribution sites across Metro Detroit

SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps)

Apply for monthly food assistance through Michigan DHHS.

844-799-9876Visit Website
Apply online or at local DHHS office

WIC Program

Nutrition assistance for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5.

800-942-1636Visit Website
Multiple clinic locations

Utility Assistance

THAW (The Heat and Warmth Fund)

Energy-bill assistance applications open Monday–Friday at 8:00 AM until the daily submission limit is reached. Water-bill assistance applications remain closed. Check THAW’s website for current availability or call 1-800-866-8429.

1-800-866-THAW (8429)Visit Website
Energy applications: weekday openings, subject to daily limits. Water applications: closed.

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy)

Federal program for heating and cooling bill assistance.

844-799-9876Visit Website
Apply through local Community Action Agency

DTE Energy Assistance

Payment plans, shutoff protection, and assistance programs for DTE customers.

800-477-4747Visit Website
Call or apply online

Wayne Metro Community Action

Weatherization, emergency services, and other family programs via the Connect Center. NOTE: Wayne Metro’s utility/energy assistance (MEAP) funding is currently fully committed and not enrolling new applicants — for urgent utility help right now, call 2-1-1 or apply through MI Bridges.

313-388-9799Visit Website
7310 Woodward Ave, Detroit

Housing & Rent Help

Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)

Rental assistance, homeownership programs, and housing resources for Michigan residents.

Detroit Housing Commission

Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and housing resources. Note: some waiting lists may be closed — check the website for current openings.

313-877-8807Visit Website
2211 Orleans St, Detroit, MI 48207

Legal Aid and Defender Association

Free civil legal help for Wayne, Oakland & Macomb County residents — eviction defense, housing, and tenant rights. Toll-free intake line.

877-964-4700Visit Website
7650 Second Avenue, Suite 120, Detroit, MI 48202

Michigan Legal Help Guide

Free online guide, self-help tools, and a legal-aid finder for Michigan residents.

Visit Website
Online statewide resource

Covenant House Michigan

Shelter and services for homeless youth ages 18-24.

313-463-2000Visit Website
2959 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Detroit

Children & Family Services

Head Start / Early Head Start (Starfish Family Services)

Free early childhood education (birth to age 5) for income-eligible families across metro Detroit. Call the Early Childhood Education line to enroll.

844-849-5437Visit Website
Multiple locations in Wayne County

Michigan Child Care Subsidy

Help paying for childcare while you work or attend school.

844-799-9876Visit Website
Apply through DHHS

Brilliant Detroit

Family resource centers offering free programming for children 0-8.

313-483-8992Visit Website
5675 Larkins Street, Detroit, MI 48210

Healthcare & Mental Health

El Bethel Neighborhood Wellness Center

Official MDHHS Neighborhood Wellness Center at El Bethel Baptist Church, staffed in partnership with The Wellness Plan Medical Centers. Free walk-in screenings: blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes/blood sugar, height/weight/BMI, year-round COVID-19 testing and take-home kits, and seasonal flu testing when available. On-site Community Health Workers can answer questions and connect you to community services. No cost, no ID, no insurance, and no appointment. Hours: Tuesday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM–11:00 AM.

(313) 532-7897Visit Website
25295 Grand River Ave, Redford, MI 48240

Healthy Michigan Plan

Free or low-cost health insurance for qualifying adults. Application helpline (Michigan Health Care Helpline).

855-789-5610Visit Website
Apply online at MI Bridges or by phone

Western Wayne Family Health Centers

Federally Qualified Health Centers offering primary, dental, and behavioral care. Sliding-fee scale; Medicaid & Healthy Michigan Plan accepted; uninsured welcome.

313-561-5100Visit Website
Dearborn, Inkster, Lincoln Park & Taylor locations

Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network

Mental health and substance abuse services for Wayne County residents.

800-241-4949Visit Website
24-hour crisis line available

Education & Job Training

Detroit at Work

Free job training, career coaching, and employment services.

313-962-WORK (9675)Visit Website
Multiple career center locations

Focus: HOPE

Job training, education, and food assistance programs.

313-494-5500Visit Website
1400 Oakman Blvd, Detroit

Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit

Job training, employment placement, and career services.

313-964-3900Visit Website
Multiple locations

Detroit Public Library

Free internet, job search help, GED prep, and educational resources.

313-481-1300Visit Website
5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit

How El Bethel Can Help

El Bethel provides this free resource guide and offers prayer and pastoral care. The organizations listed here are independent — they set their own eligibility, funding, hours, and availability. El Bethel does not guarantee assistance and is not the provider of these programs unless a specific El Bethel-operated service is named.

25295 Grand River Ave, Redford, MI 48240

Remember: There's No Shame in Asking for Help

The Bible tells us to "bear one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2). These resources exist because our community believes in helping each other. Whether you're going through a temporary setback or a longer season of difficulty, these programs are designed to give you a hand up.

If you found this guide helpful, please share it with someone who might need it. And if you're in a position to give back, consider volunteering with or donating to these organizations—they run on the generosity of people like you.

Detroit is strong because we take care of each other. You're part of that strength.

Share This Page

Send this resource guide to someone who needs it