Houston COVID-19 Resources: 17 Non-Profits That Are Open And Helping Clients During The Pandemic

---

The “stay at home” orders put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 has not only slowed our economy but also Houston non-profit operations. 

Many of the non-profits who were helping with things like rent, utility, and food assistance prior to the pandemic have closed their doors to protect their workers. Which is understandable.

Whether you are seeking Houston COVID-19 resources for yourself or you’re having difficulties connecting clients because many agencies are closed, this guide will help you. Below you will find a listing of 17 Houston non-profits who are currently open and ready to assist clients with many of their basic needs. 

Houston COVID-19 Resources: 17 Non-Profits That Are Open And Helping Clients During The Pandemic

The resources found on this page were recently searched as of April 28th. The information below was found on their webpage and each specifically stated they were assisting clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Note: The first 4 agencies on this list (Catholic Charities, Gulf Coast, Harris County, Gallery Furniture) all have an online forms for you to complete. There is no zip code restriction, so you are encouraged to refer anyone seeking assistance to those online forms.  

1. Catholic Charities (helps Harris County) 

Catholic Charities of Houston is a place you or your clients can contact for Houston COVID-19 resources. Right now they are assisting households via its Family Assistance Program. 

This program aims to help individuals with “basic needs” like food, housing, rent/utility assistance, transportation or help to pay for medications. 

To apply for this program you can call Catholic Charities at 713.874.6521 or you can complete the online assistance request form. 

2. Gulf Coast Community Services Association (helps Harris County) 

Gulf Coast is putting together a program called COVID-19 Community Action Relief Effort (C.A.R.E.) that will assist those in the Houston area who have been impacted by the virus. 

To qualify your household must:

1. Be experiencing a set back due to COVID-19
2. Fall under 125% of the federal poverty line 
3. Complete the C.A.R.E application
4. Provide the necessary documents

Currently, there are 3 applications to choose from: 

1. For those with children who attend a Gulf Coast Head Start or Early Head Start program
2. Individuals in Harris County impacted by COVID-19
3. Self-employed individuals in Harris County

To apply for assistance complete the online C.A.R.E. application. 

For more information regarding Gulf Coast’s Houston COVID-19 resources, you can contact them at 713.393.4700. 

3. Harris County Community Services Department (helps Harris County) 

Houston COVID-19 resources are also available at Harris County Community Services Department.  They are providing financial assistance to clients for bills like: 

• Water
• Gas
• Electricity
• Rent
• Mortgage Payments 

To apply for the assistance you must meet income guidelines and also complete the Harris County online survey. 

For more questions on how to receive help paying your bills during the Houston COVID-19 pandemic, you can visit the Harris County Community Services Department website. 

4. Gallery Furniture (helps Harris County) NO LONGER OFFERING CARE PACKAGES

UPDATE: As of July 14, 2020 Gallery Furniture is no longer offering the care packages, although we are thankful for the community support. 

Gallery Furniture is providing low-income families, children, and seniors with access to Houston COVID-19 resources. 

Seniors and individuals with a disability can receive care packages by completing this online request form. Toiletries and other nonperishable food items will be delivered to your front door.

Mattress Mack is also offering free food to seniors and children at the North Freeway (6006 North Fwy 77076)  Gallery Furniture 10 am to 6 pm daily.  

5. Salvation Army Houston (helps Harris County) 

Salvation Army is another place to turn to if you need help finding assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. 

If you visit their website they will help direct you toward assistance for the following needs

• Help to find groceries or other household items
• Prayer requests, spiritual and emotional care
• Life navigation like housing, rehabilitation or emergency services
• Activities to do at home during the stay at home orders

To learn more about these resources log on to the Houston Salvation Army website and complete the online submission for the needs that you are seeking.

You can also call the Salvation Army to learn about other COVID-19 resources they are providing. Call them at 713.752.0677.  

6. Southeast Area Ministries (helps SE Houston) 

SE Area Ministries is still open and available to anyone in the southeast area who needs Houston COVID-19 resources. 

Note: This agency serves the SE Houston area. To receive the assistance you must lin in one of the following zip codes; 77017, 77034, 77061, 77075, 77087, 77089, 77598. 

For food assistance, SE Area Ministries is offering food pickups for the next day after you make an appointment. Schedule your pickup by calling them at 713.944.0093. 

They also offer some assistance with rent, utilities, transportation, prescriptions, and hygiene products when they are available. 

For more information please visit their website or call them at 713.944.0093. 

7. West Houston Area Ministries (helps West Houston with rent and all of Houston with food) 

West Houston Assistance Ministries continues to help families during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

They are offering financial assistance via phone interviews Monday through Thursday.  You’ll need to call them at 713.780.2727 ext 200. 

Note: For financial assistance like rent and utilities you must live in the 77036, 77042, 77057, 77063, 77072, 77077, 77082, 77083 and 77099 zip codes.

West Houston Assistance Ministries also provides drive-thru food assistance for all zip codes Monday through Friday starting at 10:30 am. This is a first-come, first-serve basis so arrive early. 

The address to West Houston Assistance Ministries is 10501 Meadowglen Lane, Houston, TX 77042. You can learn more about their services by visiting their website or calling them at 713.780.2727. 

8. Target Hunger (helps central Houston zip codes) 

Target Hunger continues to provide food assistance to those in the central Houston area during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Note: Zip codes served are 77015, 77016, 77020, 77026, 77028, 77078

Target Hunger provides food boxes to the general public at locations like the City of Houston multiservice center and local churches. For the complete calendar of events go here. 

9. School Meal Finder (helps the US) 

The School Meal Finder tool can help you find local food assistance for school-age children in your household. 

To find help simply visit the site and type your address. Next, you will see a listing of schools that are offering meals for that day. 

10. Northwest Assistance Ministries (helps NW Houston) 

Northwest Assistance Ministries is providing assistance in Houston during the COVID-19 crisis.

Note: NAM services those living in NW Houston, therefore, you must live in the following zip codes to receive assistance:  77014, 77032, 77038, 77050, 77060, 77064, 77066, 77067, 77068, 77069, 77070, 77073, 77086, 77090, 77373, 77379, 77388, 77389. 

On Mondays only they are helping the first 35 qualified applicants with rent and utility assistance. You must arrive between 9 am and 2 pm, however you are encouraged to arrive as early as possible. 

NAM Houston will continue to help individuals who need food, prescription assistance Monday through Friday from 9 am to 2 pm. 

For additional questions, you can call them at 281.885.4555, visit their website or their office at 15555 Kuykendahl Rd, Houston, TX 77090. 

11. East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry (helps Fort Bend) 

If you are in Fort Bend County and need help due to COVID-19 you can find help at East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. 

Note: Must live in the Ford Bend zip codes of 77053, 77459, 77477, 77478, 77479, 77489, 77545, 77583.

They are offering a drive-thru food distribution during the pandemic which is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 am to 12 pm. 

This agency may also be able to help you with rent, water, gas, mortgage, and prescription assistance. Call them on Tuesdays starting at 9:50 am at 281.261.5470. 

12. Interfaith of The Woodlands (helps those in The Woodlands) 

Interfaith of The Woodlands is still open during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Note: You must live in the following zip codes to receive service: 77375, 77380, 77381, 77382, 77384, 77385, 77386, 77389.

Some of the services they are currently assisting families with are: 

• Financial assistance is available Monday through Thursdays from 9 am to 4 pm
• A food pantry drive-thru which is open on Tuesday and Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm. The address is 4242 Interfaith Way, The Woodlands, TX 77381
• Senior Grocery Deliveries take place each Thursday for people 62 and older

To request help with any of the above call Interfaith of The Woodlands at 281.367.1230 or 832.615.8219.  

13. Pasadena Meals on Wheels (Pasadena seniors) 

The Pasadena Meals On Wheels program recently received funding to begin delivering meals to low-come seniors homes. 

To apply you can call them at 626.449.6815. 

14. Houston Meals on Wheels (helps Houston area seniors) 

Houston Meals On Wheels (Houston area seniors) 

See our guide titled How To Apply For Meals On Wheels In Houston to find a provider in the Harris County area. Type your zip code in the table to see who you need to contact. 

15. United Way Houston (helps Harris County)  

United Way Houston is an information helpline (and resource website) that offers a number of different resources like food assistance. 

You can call United Way 24 hours a day by dialing 211 or 281.282.6000. Remember in addition to food assistance in Houston you can ask them about resources like housing, mental health, and senior services.  

16. Crowdsource Rescue (helps Harris County) 

Crowdsource Rescue is a disaster response non-profit that was developed during Hurrican Harvey. This Houston non-profit is now helping seniors and “high-risk” citizens in with food assistance during the Coronavirus outbreak. 

To apply for assistance visit the Crowdsource Rescue website and complete the online application. 

To contact them you can email connect@crowdsourcerescue.com. 

17. Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program (helps everyone who qualifies)

The Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program helps individuals impacted by this virus to pay their utility bills. 

This program helps people in two ways: 

1. It defers payment of your electricity bills
2. Prevents your light company from shutting off your utilities 

Individuals who are eligible for this program include people who qualify for unemployment and potentially low-income individuals receiving state benefits. 

To apply for the Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program you can complete an application online or call them at 866.454.8387. 

Conclusion

Although each of these Houston non-profits is still operating during the COVID-19 crisis resources they can offer may still be limited.

Because of this, you are encouraged to call their phone numbers and arrive at their location early. If a non-profit begins offering food at 10 am you should arrive by 9 am. The same for phone lines. Start calling 15 minutes prior to them opening to give you the best chance at obtaining Houston COVID-19 resources. 

Lastly, be sure to fill out the online forms for places like Crowdsource Rescue, Gallery Furniture, Gulf Coast, Catholic Charities, and Harris County Community Services Department. These agencies offer assistance to the entire area on a first-come, first-serve basis. Even though resources are not guaranteed it takes minimal effort to visit these sites and complete these forms.