Crisis Aid
While SoWe cannot provide emergency assistance, we partner with many organizations that may be able to help.
Crisis Aid
If you are currently experiencing homelessness or housing instability, please contact 211: they currently serve as the lead agency for all homelessness and crisis-based intake screenings for Lancaster County.
To connect with a resource specialist, you can dial 211 on your phone (or 855-567-5341), text your zip code to 898211, fill out a form on their website, or use their directory to search for your needed service.
Meals & Food Access
OurCommunityMeals.org is a listing of all the available free meals offered by local churches & organizations in Lancaster, a resource maintained by the Parish Resource Center. There are opportunities for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a variety of dine-in and/or take-out options. Be sure to check in with the organization on any specific details and/or location changes, etc. In addition, this Lancaster City Food Bank Resource Sheet is another list of places you can pick up food in within the city.
211 also provides a listing of all the organizations in the area who provide food resources. You can call 211 (or 855-567-5341), text your zip code to 898211, or visit their website for the full food resource listing (as well as resources for housing, mental health, legal services, resources for veterans, the elderly, and more).
Help with Utilities
LIHEAP Home Heating & Energy Assistance The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants. The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. Please see their website for income eligibility limits.
You can apply online using COMPASS, the online tool for Pennsylvanians to apply for and manage health and human service programs, or on paper: You can download a paper application, print it, fill it out, and return it to your local county assistance office.
Find more ways we can help
If you are in need of services or information not listed above, please feel free to reach out to our team and we will connect with you as soon as possible!