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Churches that are located in the Tacoma Washington area and Pierce County are increasing their efforts to help people cope during these current tough economic times.
The number of people who need help and are turning to churches in the Tacoma area, and looking for jobs in the Tacoma Employment Resource Center has doubled year over year.
In addition to helping people find jobs, churches provide other aid. Associated Ministries provides emergency assistance, such as rent help, utility bill assistance, and help with medical bills.
As on example, Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor (phone 253.851.7779) paid a $283 water and sewer bill, a $60 electricity bill, and also provided a $50 food card and a $35 gas voucher to one person who worked very hard, but received a short term illness.
At the Tacoma Employment Resource Center (253-471-4890), some people have found jobs. The number of people who have had success finding jobs from this church sponsored assistance program increased 10 percent to 20 percent in February and March compared with a year ago. The job center stressed and reinforces the LDS Church’s emphasis on working and being self-reliant, and people can’t turn to the church for aid if they have no long term plan to become self reliant. The church also does provides clothing, food, and rent assistance.
At Chapel Hill in Gig Harbor, the requests for help from all folks, help for paying rent, mortgage, and utility bills continue to increase. The current maximum for medical assistance that will be paid was raised by 25 percent to $400, and the maximum amount that will be provided for mortgage assistance has more than doubled to $500 per request. Find additional church assistance programs.
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Other agencies to contact include the Pierce County Community Action Program. Call the Tacoma based agency at (253) 798-6266. The services they offer to help people with bills and living expenses include.
Emergency services - They partner with local agencies, and they also administer a small grant to provide low to moderate income individuals with emergency financial assistance.
Weatherization Program - This energy conserving program examines single and multi unit dwellings, mobile homes and other structures for existing heat loss conditions, then uses private sector contractors to install energy conservation measures on these units. The program is free to qualified individuals.
Find a job - Low income families can use the Pierce County CAREER Program to receive training, counseling, and leads on job opportunities.
Housing programs - Various services are offered that can help repair a home, improve it, and add energy saving improvements.
Energy Bill Assistance Program - This resource provides heating and utility bill support through a direct payment made to the utility company on the Pierce County or Tacoma families behalf. This assistance program only operates during the heating season, usually November through April of each year. Find how to get help directly from your energy company, and read more on Washington energy bill assistance.
Catholic Community Services (phone (253) 383-3697) also offers qualified families several programs and resources. They can advise people on where to turn for help and counseling, and direct them towards financial assistance options.
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Metropolitan Development Council Pierce County is another agency that helps Tacoma and Pierce County Washington families. They offer dozens of programs to qualified low income individuals, including the following.
Call the agency at (253) 597-6710.
The Salvation Army - Tacoma Corps administers a multitude of programs. Eligible individuals can access Rental Assistance, Life Saving Prescriptions, Food, Emergency Housing, Utility Assistance, and Senior and Youth Programs. (253) 572-8452. Another Salvation Army office is in Pierce County Washington at (253) 841-1491.
Some of the regional programs that may be able to assist with energy bills, mortgages, rent, prescriptions, and more include:
Children's Home Society - Key Peninsula - Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula can apply for emergency assistance with rent and/or utility bills. On average $50 is paid out. 17010 S Vaughn Rd, Vaughn, Washington, 98394. Phone: (253) 884 – 5433.
Pierce County DSHS - Community Services Offices offers one or more of the following. ETANF/WorkFirst clients may apply for financial assistance or grants when faced with an emergency. Apply for emergency funding for paying eviction notices; utility bills including electric, gas, heating fuel, water/sewer or telephone. Homeless can apply for security deposit move-in assistance. They also administer the Additional Requirements for Emergent needs (AREN) in Pierce County 5712 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA, 98499. Call (877) 501-2233. 1301 E 72 St, Tacoma, Washington, 98404. Phone: (877) 501 – 2233
Families Unlimited Network – Can help pay rent if faced with eviction, or emergency funds for utilities. 2610 Sunset Dr W, University Place, WA, 98466. Call (253) 460 – 3134
Helping Hand House – If you have a child in the home, and a utility disconnection notice, this not for profit has funds for Tacoma residents. Aid is focused on families with children. 11701 101 Ave Ct E, Puyallup, Washington, 98373, (253) 848 - 6096
LASA – Churches and volunteers formed this group. They will need to review your financial situation, and may be able to pledge money towards utility, bus vouchers, rent, medications and/or anything else that may prevent homelessness in Pierce County. 8956 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood, WA, 98498. Phone number: (253) 582 – 5320.
Pierce County Veterans Bureau – Military member, veterans, and families can apply for emergency assistance. Get free food, rent and utilities, all of which may be offered to qualified, indigent military members and veterans. 925 Tacoma Ave S, Suite B, Tacoma, Washington, 98402, (253) 798 - 7449
Saint Francis Cabrini Church – If you are low income, and have a disconnect or vacate notice, this church provides help with paying rent, utilities, or housing expenses (no more than $100), and can even offer limited assistance with furniture. Serves their church boundaries only, which currently includes zip codes 98499, 98439 and a small part of 98498. Address is 5505 108th St SW, Lakewood, WA, 98499, (253) 588 - 2141 Ext: 351
St. Vincent De Paul Society - St. Theresa's Catholic Church – While they have an extensive application process, including home visits, the not for profit administers emergency human and social service programs in areas of service which include free food (food bank), financial assistance to pay rent in order to prevent evictions, hotel or motel vouchers for temporary shelter, and financial assistance to prevent power shut-offs. Depending on the exact need of the applicant, the organization may also provide food vouchers, gas vouchers and bus tickets. Last, but not least, may help with prescriptions and furniture when resources are available. 3939 SW 331st St, Federal Way, Washington, 98023. Call Phone: (206) 767 - 6449
We Love Steilacoom Association - Must live in the town of Steilacoom Washington State, but can help pay utilities or heating bills, or emergency plumbing repairs. 2301 Worthington St., Steilacoom, Washington, 98388. Call the agency at (253) 581 – 1912
If none of these Tacoma and Pierce County programs can help you deal with your housing or rent concerns. then find additional Tacoma rent assistance programs.
Tacoma Power Aid (phone (253) 651 - 5065) offers utility bill assistance to Tacoma Public Utilities customers
Saint Andrew's Catholic Church provides some limited financial assistance for expanses like utilities. (253) 891 - 6535
Water and sewer bills - Pierce County residents can receive a discount on their monthly water bills. Some payment plans may also be provide to income qualified families which can help prevent a shut off of their service. Read more on Tacoma water bill assistance programs.
Low income and people with limited or no health insurance can contact Community Health Care at (253) 597-4550 operates several health and dental clinics around Tacoma and Pierce County. The facilities provide patients with access to high quality health care for Pierce county's low-income and uninsured residents. Multiple clinics throughout the area meet this need.
Another option is Neighborhood Clinic in Tacoma. This facility provides free medical care to patients who cannot afford or access healthcare. So if you are low income, or have limited health insurance, contact this health care clinic. (253) 627-6353
Sea Mar Medical Clinic-Tacoma (phone (253) 593 - 2144) provides comprehensive community health care, including primary and urgent care, obstetrics, and internal medicine to patients on a sliding fee scale.
Additional medical programs and resources are offered from other health and dental centers in the region. Find a listing of more Piece County clinics.
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Contact FISH Food Banks. They run almost 10 food banks and pantries around the county. The goal of the FISH pantry is to provide each qualified client with enough nutritious food and groceries to make three meals a day for three consecutive days, and ensure people are provided nutritious food. (253) 383 - 3164
Bread of Life Food Bank - Lakewood offers temporary food assistance. (253) 582 - 2515
Holy Cross (phone (253) 752 - 0341) is part of the Saint Vincent De Paul Outreach Network, and it provides free food, groceries, and other aid. For example, click here to learn about food stamps.
Orting Food Bank provides food up to once per month for eligible households. (360) 893 - 3150.
If these food banks can’t offer you the groceries, meals, or food that you or your family needs, several other non-profits, churches, and food distribution centers operate in Pierce County. They will help anyone in need and will not turn anyone away. Find more Pierce County food pantries.
American Financial Solutions provides help to those who are behind on mortgage payments. Learn about such options as Loan Modification or Extension, Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure, or Forbearance Agreement. Call (800) 894 - 5307.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service, which can be reached at (800) 244 - 1183 provides housing counseling, debt assistance, help with buying a home on pre-purchase, advice on foreclosure and mortgage delinquencies, and debt repayment plans. Work one on one with counselors, and some programs are free of charge. Learn more on debt management plans.
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