Cumberland, Nottoway, Prince Edward, Buckingham, Lunenburg, and Amelia assistance programs.
Financial help, free stuff, government assistance and more is offered to low income or struggling families. Find charities, churches, and non-profits in counties including Cumberland, Prince Edward, Nottoway and others to apply at for help below. When resources allow, there may be: Emergency rental or utility bill assistance; free food, clothes, school supplies, medications or Christmas toys; referrals to affordable housing or mortgage help; free debt counseling or legal aid in counties including Amelia or Buckingham; and more.
A number of non-profits, emergency financial assistance programs, and social services are administered in the south and central Virginia region. The leading agencies to try for help are below.
Hope Community Services, Inc. is the community action agency for the region. The main office is at 103 South Main Street, Farmville, Virginia 23901. Several programs are administered by the agency, and they are also a great place for referrals to public and government assistance.
Temporary mortgage and rental assistance is provided by the state of Virginias Homeless Intervention Program (HIP). It is offered for low-income households and working poor. The housing program seeks to eliminate the risk of homelessness due to eviction or foreclosure that may be brought on by unavoidable circumstances, such as a medical hardship. To assist tenants, a grant may be issued for back rent that is due. Find more information on homeless prevention in Virginia.
Not only is rental assistance offered, but participants receive financial and credit counseling too. If you are too far behind on your payments and need to find a new home, then HIP also assists individuals and families in locating affordable housing and also securing it.
Headstart is available at this location. This government resource addresses the educational, nutritional, and social needs of children 3 to 5 years of age. Hundreds of families are assisted by this program. It not only prepares students for school, but the program will ensure that immunization and other medical needs are met for low income and uninsured families.
Parents can also benefit from Headstart. For example, case managers and staff from the agency will offer guidance to parents interested in obtaining their General Equivalency Diploma (GED), or direct individuals to job training and employment resources.
Energy conservation is offered from weatherization. Qualified homeowners can receive, at no cost to them, air-leak sealing, weatherstripping, caulking, and repairing/replacing inefficient air conditioners and heating systems of mobile homes as well as single-family units. Tips and education is also offered, as participants are instructed in weatherproofing and energy conservation methods once work is completed.
Additional utility assistance and conservation is also offered from EnergyShare. This is available for low-income households and families, especially those that pay a higher proportion of their total household income for home energy and cooling bills. Find more Virginia utility bill assistance.
EnergyShare is funded with donations and contributions from Dominion Power, customers, businesses and “neighbors”. It provides cooling bill, heating, utility and fuel assistance. In some cases, loans are issued since the program relies on donations. Cooling bill assistance begins in June and runs until October. Also, while not as in demand in Virginia, heating assistance starts in mid-October and is offered until mid-June.
Call Hope Community Services at (434) 315-8990. Or click more information on Hope Community Services assistance programs.
Social service programs revolve energy bills, referrals, and help in apply for state and federal government programs. Utility/Fuel assistance, including LIHEAP, is offered during the winter heating season. This government resource provides payments for qualifying emergency repairs to heating equipment and will pay the bills, but money goes directly to heating fuel vendors. Each county if the central and southern part of the state has a social service office.
If you are faced with a disconnection, the Crisis Assistance component helps households who are faced with an emergency. Some examples of emergencies that can be paid for include utility cutoff is imminent; lack of heat, and inoperable or unsafe cooling or heating equipment.
Help is provided in the form of payment of primary heat source; emergency shelter; funds for paying utility or cooling bills; replacement or repair of heating equipment; payment of utility security deposit; purchase of portable space heater or fans for the summer.
- Amelia County Social Services, 16360 Dunn St., Ste. 201 PO Box 136, Amelia, Virginia 23002, phone (804)561-2681.
- Buckingham County Social Services, 13360 West James Anderson Highway, Buckingham, VA 23921, call (434)969-4246
- Prince Edward County Social Services, Cumberland, VA 23040, phone (804)492-4915
- Lunenburg County Social Services, 11387 Courthouse Road, Lunenburg, Virginia 23952, dial the office at (434)696-2134
Christian Outreach Program & Pregnancy Center, Inc. – Each individual case and application will be reviewed, and based on their need and the Board's guidelines, clients can get help with free food, emergency shelter, and financial assistance. Some clients may qualify for cash assistance for expenses such as mortgage payments, utilities and heating bills, including oil/propane/firewood, as well as rent. The agency is in New Canton, VA 23123. Phone (434)983-8643
Lunenburg County Ministries is one of the leading charity organizations in the region. The non-profits main goal is to provide free, charitable services to low income and struggling residents of Lunenburg County, Virginia. They offer short term relief and help. The charity may be able to provide emergency funds for paying for housing, utilities, clothing, and food, whether it is perishable or non-perishable. 207 South Broad St., Kenbridge, Virginia 23944, phone number is (434)676-6515
Many residents of southern Virginia need to commute or drive a long way for work. Or school or job training. Charities may be able to assist on occasion if the person is working and facing a short term crisis. As an example, find information on free gasoline.
Employment opportunities in Prince Edward, Buckingham, and other counties can be limited. Or the resident may not live by the business or corporation. One alternative may be side gig or work from home jobs. They can of course be done part time or even for more hours if/when needed.
Helping Every Life Prosper is available for residents of the Blackstone Community and the surrounding community. The organization can provide financial assistance at most once per year where bona fide emergencies exist.
A number of area churches, local businessmen, grants from the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, civic organizations and individual donations and contributions are pooled together to provide the needy with financial help.
Leave a message with full details, and someone will call you back. Financial assistance is available in emergency cases for paying rent, prescription medications, fuels, and utilities. An application process is in place, including a review of credit history to ensure legitimacy and need. Dial (434)292-6555.
Food supplementation and groceries are offered too. Or kids can get free Christmas gifts (during the holidays) or school supplies (during the summer). Food is contributed by organizations and individuals throughout the year and stored locally until needed. Volunteers of the churches and organizations store, bag and deliver, or arrange the food for pick-up or even delivery to the homebound.
Get help at Christmas from Lunenburg, Prince Edward, and other regional charities, including the Salvation Army. the programs range from Angel Tree to Adopt a Family, Thanksgiving turkeys, meals delivered to the elderly, and much more. Read Albemarle County area free holiday assistance programs.
Farmville Area Community Emergency Services offers food, groceries, and meals, including around the holidays. Also, emergency referrals to government programs like food stamps and WIC are offered by area churches and human services agencies. Aid is offered to families and individuals who cannot afford an adequate diet but are determined financially eligible to receive food from a local pantry or church. Stop by or call the agency at 314 South St., Farmville, VA 23901, telephone (434)392-3588
There are many other feeding programs, meals, and places for free groceries. Low income families as well as anyone in a crisis can get help. Meals on wheels is also an option. Read more about food banks.
Heart of Virginia Free Clinic offers free or low cost medical and dental care provided to low-income residents and patients. 201 North Main St., Farmville, Virginia 23901, call (434)315-5701
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