Where to find free items and no-cost services for your family
Free help comes as items and as services. A food pantry hands out groceries, a furniture bank delivers a bed, a legal aid office answers questions at no charge, and a neighbor two streets over may be giving away the exact stroller a family needs.
This page covers what is given away, who provides it, and how to ask, with a full guide linked for each type of help. Free items may also be browsed by location in the directory of free items by state and county. Supplies depend on donations, so a program that is out of something one week may have it again the next.
- Note: nothing listed on this page costs money to receive. Treat any offer that requires a fee, a shipping charge, a gift card, or bank information as a scam, including social media giveaways that ask for personal details up front. The guide on avoiding financial assistance scams explains the warning signs.
Free food and basic needs
Food pantries and free meals – Pantries hand out groceries and community kitchens serve hot meals, usually with simple requirements that vary by location. Demand often runs ahead of supply, so arriving early in a distribution window helps.
Help getting food benefits – Charities and food banks help families sign up for SNAP, sometimes called food stamps, and for WIC. The guide covers those programs and other sources of free groceries.
Free cooking and nutrition classes – Classes teach shopping and cooking on a tight budget at no charge. Many communities offer the Cooking Matters curriculum, now run by The Food Trust through local partner agencies, and SNAP-Ed programs hold similar free classes. See the Cooking Matters guide and how it benefits people in need.
Free diapers – Diaper banks distribute free diapers and wipes through pantries and family programs. Supplies run out, and a referral from a caseworker sometimes speeds things up.
Clothing closets – Free clothing programs supply everyday clothes, school outfits, and work wear. Most items are donated and gently used, and some programs include new pieces.
School supplies – Backpack and supply giveaways run through charities, churches, and stores, with most programs open in late summer and early fall.
Child care assistance – Free or subsidized child care may be available for parents who are working, in school, or in job training, with Head Start free for families who qualify. The guide explains the programs and where to apply.
Phone and internet service – The federal Lifeline benefit lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service for households with a lower income, and some providers offer plans that end up costing nothing after the discount. The guide to telephone assistance programs lists providers and how to apply.
Baby essentials – Charities and community programs give away formula, clothes, car seats, cribs, and other gear for infants. What is stocked depends on donations, so ask what is available before making a trip.
Free personal and household items
Furniture banks – Donated beds, tables, dressers, and household basics go to families leaving shelters, escaping domestic violence, or starting over after a crisis. Most furniture banks work by referral from a partner agency.
Neighborhood giveaway networks – Freecycle runs free local groups where members post items they are giving away, at https://www.freecycle.org. The Buy Nothing Project works the same way through its app and local groups, at https://www.buynothingproject.org. Both are free to join; arrange pickups in a public spot when possible, and never send money for a free item.
Free vouchers – A voucher does not pay a bill, but it can cover essential goods such as clothing, furniture, or appliances from a thrift store or partner shop. Caseworkers and churches are the usual source.
Free computers – Refurbished laptop and desktop programs serve students, job seekers, and low-income households. Some charge a small fee that sits far below store prices.
Local giveaway events – Community groups, churches, and city programs hold periodic giveaway days for household goods, and sign-up lists fill quickly. See the guide of how to be alerted to free local giveaways.
Free money programs – Small grants, unclaimed funds, and one-time payments exist, but each has rules and paperwork. The guide separates real sources from the free-money myths.
Free samples – Companies mail sample products as marketing, so expect promotional emails after signing up. A real sample never charges shipping, and any request for a card number means it is not a sample.
Tech products for reviews – Some companies send products in exchange for honest reviews. Treat these as promotions rather than assistance, and never pay a deposit to receive a review item.
Appliances – A refrigerator, stove, or washer may come from a charity, a reuse center, or a utility efficiency program that replaces old units. Referrals from a caseworker often move faster than a cold call.
Seasonal items given away each year
Christmas and holiday help – Toy drives, adopt-a-family programs, and holiday meal boxes open for sign-ups in the fall, and many close before December starts.
Winter coats – Coat drives run each fall through schools, churches, and charities, with children's sizes going fastest. See the winter coats guide page that covers where and how to programs operate.
Free heating oil – Fuel funds and oil heat charities may deliver free or discounted heating oil during winter in cold-weather states.
Fans and air conditioners – Some health departments and charities give out fans or window units during heat waves, often prioritizing seniors and people with medical conditions. AC units, while of course limited in availability, may come from government-funded energy programs or local charities as the free air conditioner guide page covers.
Heating system repairs and replacement – During colder months, programs may repair or replace a furnace, boiler, or heating unit for at-risk households, seniors, and people with disabilities. Much of the work comes with energy efficiency upgrades at no cost.
Firewood programs – Households that heat with wood may get free firewood from community programs, and national forests issue low-cost cutting permits. Winter demand is heavy, so ask early in the season.
Free transportation help
Donated cars – Charities award donated vehicles to applicants who need transportation for work or family care. Expect an application, proof of need, and a wait.
Gas vouchers – Churches, community action agencies, and social service offices may give out gas cards, usually tied to getting to work or a medical appointment. Amounts are small and funds run out fast.
Rides and transit help – Reduced or free bus passes, volunteer driver programs, and medical ride services operate in many areas. The guide explains who runs each and how to sign up.
Free financial, legal and counseling services
Free legal advice – Legal aid offices handle civil problems such as evictions, debt collection lawsuits, and benefit denials at no charge for people who qualify.
Free bankruptcy consultations – Many bankruptcy attorneys review a case for free before anyone commits to filing, which is a safe way to learn the options.
Free tax preparation – IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file returns at no charge through the VITA and TCE programs, and they catch credits that filers often miss on their own. Find a site through the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers. More details are in the site's free tax preparation guide.
Credit and debt counseling – Non-profit counselors help households with budgeting, debt, and financial planning at no charge. A legitimate agency never bills for the first session.
Job training at no cost – Government-funded and non-profit programs teach job skills free, and some cover child care or pay a stipend during training. The guide lists the main programs and who qualifies.
Medical, dental and wellness care
Free prescription medicine – Patient assistance programs from drug makers may supply medicine at no cost to uninsured patients, and charitable pharmacies serve some communities.
Hearing aids – Charities, state programs, and some insurance plans may cover hearing aids, which basic Medicare generally does not pay for. See the hearing aid assistance guide for options.
Free counseling and medical – Community mental health centers, non-profits, and helplines offer counseling at no charge or on a sliding scale. Free and charitable clinics see patients regardless of insurance, with fees set by income. Many handle basic dental and vision alongside medical care. Sessions may be in person, by phone, or online. See the NHPB free community health clinics guide.
Free items through Medicaid – Medicaid plans may cover medical supplies and equipment at no cost, and some plans add extras such as an over-the-counter allowance. The guide to what Medicaid covers for free lists the various items and services covered.
Reduced and free memberships – YMCA branches and similar centers offer income-based rates, and a membership can drop to little or nothing for families who qualify. While each location has terms and conditions in place, in general the programs may provide access to fitness, wellness, youth programs and other services as the guide to YMCA membership programs that are free explains.
Veterinary care for pets – Low-cost clinics, veterinary school programs, and charity funds may cover shots, spay and neuter surgery, or urgent care for a pet. See the guide to what veterinarians may provide for free that covers a wide range of programs.
Dental care – Cleanings, fillings, extractions, and even urgent dental work may be available at no cost through charitable programs, dental schools, and clinic events. The guide covers every route, including emergencies.
Eyeglasses and eye exams – Lions Clubs and similar programs provide free glasses and may cover the exam. Turnaround is usually a few weeks.
Drug and alcohol treatment – State-funded programs, non-profits, and faith-based centers offer rehab and recovery services without insurance. The guide explains how to get a placement and what to expect.
If it is not listed here
Dialing 211 or visiting https://www.211.org connects callers with a specialist who knows which local programs currently have items or openings. Finds and questions can also be posted on the moderated free items and giveaways board of the site forum, where moderators and other readers respond.
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