Gordon, Haralson & Polk Counties GA - Financial assistance programs.
These three rural northwest Georgia counties share several regional resources. For utility bills, weatherization, and basic financial assistance, Tallatoona Community Action Partnership (TCAP) is the federally designated Community Action Agency for the area and operates dedicated offices in each county. For emergency rent, utility help, food, and a community kitchen in Gordon County, the Voluntary Action Center in Calhoun is a longstanding local anchor. In Polk County, Community Share Ministries in Cedartown provides shelter, food, and basic needs. The Salvation Army in Rome serves Polk and surrounding counties with emergency financial assistance, food, and shelter.
Resources in rural counties can be limited and change frequently. Most programs require proof of income, a photo ID, and proof of county residency. For utility emergencies, have your account number and any shutoff notice ready before calling. Call ahead before visiting any location — appointment-only policies are common in this area.
Quick-Reference: Where to Start
- Energy & utility bills (LIHEAP) — all three counties: Tallatoona CAP — (770) 817-4666 (or call your county's office directly; see below)
- Emergency rent, utilities, food — Gordon County: Voluntary Action Center, Calhoun — (706) 629-7283
- Food, shelter, basic needs — Polk County: Community Share Ministries, Cedartown — (678) 901-3434
- Emergency financial assistance — Polk & Floyd counties: Salvation Army Rome — (706) 291-4745
- Food, clothing — Haralson County: Bremen Food & Clothing Bank — (770) 537-0920 | Haralson County Ministries — (770) 537-4105
If you are unsure where to start, the Rome GA United Way (part of the Central Georgia umbrealla organization) is a key to Georgia's free statewide helpline 2-1-1. The website is https://www.unitedwaycg.org/211. There is also an automated local resource line (Haralson County): (678) 647-4357.
Tallatoona Community Action Partnership (TCAP) — All Three Counties
Tallatoona CAP was founded in 1967 and covers Gordon, Haralson, and Polk County. Tallatoona Community Action Partnership is the federally designated Community Action Agency for northwest Georgia, including Gordon, Haralson, and Polk counties. It is typically the first call for energy bill help, weatherization, and emergency financial assistance in this region. Each county has its own Human Resource Development Center (HRDC) staffed locally. All three county offices share a central phone line — call and use the extension for your county.
- Key programs include LIHEAP energy assistance for heating and cooling bills, a weatherization program that installs free energy-saving improvements in eligible homes, a Family Resettlement Program for TANF-eligible families facing homelessness, Head Start and Early Head Start for children, prescription assistance through an Indigent Medical Services program, emergency rent and housing referrals through federal Emergency Solutions funding, and case management with referrals to other community resources. LIHEAP heating applications open in November for the general public (earlier priority windows apply for seniors and homebound residents). Cooling assistance applications begin in summer. All appointments are required.
Central line (all counties): (770) 817-4666 — or (770) 382-5388 (main office). The local offices are Gordon County HRDC is at 125 Red Bud Rd., Suite 7, Calhoun, GA 30701. Call (770) 817-4666; Haralson County HRDC is at 521-B Pacific Ave., Bremen, GA 30110. Call (770) 817-4666; and Polk County HRDC is at 424 N. Main St., Suite 9, Cedartown, GA 30125. Call (770) 817-4666. View https://tallatoonacap.org/.
Emergency Assistance — Gordon County
Voluntary Action Center (VAC)
Founded in 1971, The Voluntary Action Center is a United Way-funded nonprofit that has served Gordon County residents since 1971. It is the primary local source for emergency rent, utility, and basic needs assistance in Gordon County outside of Tallatoona CAP. Services include emergency help with rent or mortgage to prevent eviction, utility assistance to prevent shutoff, and limited emergency hotel vouchers.
- The center also has a food pantry, and a community kitchen serving hot lunches and dinners Monday through Friday with no proof of residency required. The VAC also provides personal care items, laundry access, and free clothing from its thrift store for those in need. Holiday programs include Christmas food gift vouchers and toys for children.
- Emergency financial assistance is by appointment only. Call to do a phone screening first to determine eligibility. Bring 30 days' proof of income for all adults in the household, a photo ID, your lease (for rent) or the bill (for utilities), and documentation of the emergency. You must be a Gordon County resident and have your name on the lease or bill. Bills must be due within five days or currently past due. Office hours generally run Monday through Friday; Fridays close earlier than other days. 343 S. Wall St., Calhoun, GA 30701. (706) 629-7283. View http://www.voluntaryactioncenter.org/.
Additional Gordon County Food Resources
Beyond the Voluntary Action Center's food pantry and community kitchen, several faith-based organizations provide food in Gordon County. Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church — God's Pantry (1411 Rome Rd. SW, Calhoun — 706-609-5080) is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings on an income basis with no appointment required, once monthly. St. Clement's Catholic Church Food Distribution (875 Hwy. 53 West SW, Calhoun — 706-629-2345) distributes food on the second and fourth Wednesday mornings and the fourth Thursday evening.
- First Fruits Ministry of Northwest Georgia (2335 Red Bud Rd. NE, Calhoun — 470-334-4521, located in World Harvest Church) distributes food on Fridays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check their social media for any schedule changes. Grace Church Calhoun (500 N. College Dr., Calhoun) provides free groceries on the second Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with no ID required. Ray of Hope (685 Newtown Rd. NE, Calhoun — 706-844-7442) also has food resources; call for current hours.
Emergency Assistance & Food — Polk County
Community Share Ministries
Community Share Ministries is a Cedartown-based Christian nonprofit providing shelter, a food pantry, a soup kitchen, and free clothing to residents in Polk County. It also operates a thrift store. Shelter services serve men, women, and children facing homelessness. Employment assistance, tutoring, and spiritual programming are offered alongside basic needs support. 1116 N. Main St., Cedartown, GA 30125. (678) 901-3434
One Door Polk — Community Resource Hub
One Door Polk is a community resource center operated by the City of Cedartown, funded in part by Floyd Medical Center. It serves as a central hub where multiple organizations — including Tallatoona CAP, the Salvation Army, and others — maintain outreach presences and connect residents to services. If you are unsure which organization can help with your specific need, One Door Polk staff can help point you in the right direction. 424 N. Main St., Cedartown, GA 30125. Email: [email protected]. See https://onedoorpolk.org/.
Cedartown United Fund
The Cedartown United Fund operates a food pantry a couple mornings per week - often Monday and Wednesday. It also provides clothing assistance. The pantry serves Cedartown-area residents and is a direct community resource for basic food needs. (770) 748-1215
Good Neighbor Center Food Pantry
Located near the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cedartown. The pantry is open a couple days per months. Open to anyone in need of food assistance. 71 Woodall Rd., Cedartown, GA. (678) 901-9184
Emergency Assistance & Food — Haralson County
Haralson County Ministries
A Bremen-based ministry providing food and clothing assistance to Haralson County residents. Call ahead to confirm current hours and available services. 220 Tallapoosa St., Bremen, GA 30110. (770) 537-4105
Bremen Food & Clothing Bank
Provides food and clothing to income-eligible Haralson County residents. Food distribution runs on one day a week (normally Tuesdays) with two time windows (morning and evening). An application and income screening are required. Photo ID and a Social Security or tax ID number are needed to apply. A donation contribution is requested at each food pickup visit. Clothing is also distributed through this location. 180 Helton Rd., Bremen, GA 30110. (770) 537-0920. See https://www.bremenfoodbank.org/.
Community Christian Council — Community Kitchen & Food Bank
Located in Tallapoosa, this organization distributes food boxes a couple days per month. Both Haralson County residents may receive assistance. Also provides job assistance, resume writing help, and connects clients with employment opportunities. 734 Bowdon St., Tallapoosa, GA 30176. (770) 574-5433. See https://www.communitychristiancouncil.org/.
Additional Haralson County Food Resources
Several local churches provide food assistance in Haralson County. Corinth Baptist Church Food Bank (43 Rockmart Rd., Bremen — 770-646-3300) distributes food on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Buchanan United Methodist Church (3623 Hwy. 27, Buchanan — 770-301-5827) holds a food bank on the first and third Wednesdays with a food backpack program.
- Mount Carmel Baptist Church (235 Rainey Rd., Temple — 770-562-4049) distributes food the first Saturday of each month. Tallapoosa Church of Christ (261 Buchanan Hwy., Tallapoosa — 770-597-5009) maintains an emergency food bank. Call ahead to confirm hours for any of these locations.
Regional Emergency and Long Term Assistance
Salvation Army — Rome Corps - Floyd, Polk, and Chattooga Counties
The Salvation Army's Rome Corps is the nearest Salvation Army to this three-county area and serves Polk County among other surrounding counties. Its Project SHARE program provides emergency financial assistance with utility bills and rent for households facing a crisis that threatens housing stability.
- The Rome location also operates an emergency shelter for men and women, a daily community dinner open to anyone (evenings, Monday through Friday), a food pantry, free clothing, holiday programs including Christmas gifts and food boxes through Angel Tree, and school supply assistance. Utility assistance is primarily for Floyd County residents; Polk County residents should call to confirm current eligibility before making the trip. Admin Office & Shelter: 317 E. 1st Ave., Rome, GA 30161 and the Corps is at 310 E. 2nd Ave., Rome, GA 30161. (706) 291-4745. More details at https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/rome.
Georgia DFCS — All Three Counties
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) administers state and federal benefit programs including SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, TANF cash assistance, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Each county has a DFCS office. Applications can also be submitted online or by phone. DFCS can also connect families to childcare subsidy programs (CAPS) and other supportive services. Contact the office in your county to apply or ask questions about eligibility. Statewide DFCS line: (877) 423-4746.
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