COMMUNITY RESOURCES
HELP WITH BILLS, FOOD, CLOTHING, ETC.
First Call 211 (pick up any phone and dial 211) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to find out where places are and they will give you all the information you need, namely, where it is, times they are open and what you need to bring to get help.
FOOD BANKS
Every resident of Allen County is matched to one of the pantries listed below.
If you need help in determining which location is yours, please call the office of Associated Churches at (260) 422-3528.
Associated Churches of Fort Wayne (Map of 25 Food Pantries)
Anthony Wayne First Church of God
Serving Aboite Township
6012 South Bend Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
(260) 432-7494
Monday and Wednesday: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren
Serving St. Joseph Township
2810 Beacon Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
(260) 482-8595
Wednesday: 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
3705 S. Anthony Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Monday to Friday: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
East Wayne Street Center
801 E. Wayne Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46803
(260) 422-6502
Tuesday and Wednesday: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
800 Green Street
New Haven, IN 46774
(260) 749-2163
Tuesday: 9:00 am to 11:45 am
Faith Lutheran Church
1700 E Petitt Ave
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Wednesday and Friday: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
First Christian Church
4800 South Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
1505 Bethany Lane
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Monday and Thursday: 9:00 am to 11:45 am
1st Wednesday: 4:30 to 6:30 pm
Harlan United Methodist Church
16434 State Road 37
Harland, IN 46743
(260) 657-5364
Thursday 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Food Pantry Closed due to inclement weather when EACS closes
Heartland Community Church
1025 Vance Ave.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
(260) 483-1770
Sunday: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
13527 Leo Road
Leo, IN 46765
(260) 627-2161
By Appointment only
Lifehouse Church
1601 Cedar Canyon Rd.
Huntertown, IN 46845
2nd Tuesday and last Saturday: 9:00 to 11:00 am
Maplewood Mennonite Church
4129 Maplecrest Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46815
(260) 485-8512
Wednesday: 9:30 am to 11:30 am
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
7308 St. Joe Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46835
(260) 485-8022
Wednesday: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
3rd Saturday: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church
2305 Goshen Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 483-9312
Wednesday and Friday: 9 am to 11:30 am
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Sat. 9 am to 10 am
11337 Old US Highway 27 S
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
(260) 639-3748
Saturday: 9:00 am to 10:00 am
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
201 E. South St.
Monroeville, IN 46773
Tuesday: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
2120 South Harrison St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 456-4868
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:00 am to 10:45 am
Trinity United Methodist Church
609 Putnam Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 422-7924
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Food Pantry closes due to inclement weather when FWCS closes
Union Baptist Church
2200 Smith Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46803
(260) 456-3421
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
United Faith Presbyterian Church
1616 W. Main Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 424-5610
Monday and Wednesday: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Waynedale United Methodist Church
2501 Church St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Wellspring Interfaith Social Services
1316 Broadway
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 422-6618
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Tuesday: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Thursday: 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am to 11:00 pm
Woodburn United Methodist Church
4300 Becker Road
Woodburn, IN 46797
(260) 632-5313
Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30am to 11:30am
Wednesday: by appointment
LIST OF PLACES WHERE ANYBODY CAN GO REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE
Miss Virginia’s Mission House:
1312 South Hanna Street
(260) 426-0176
You can go either Tuesday or Wednesday between 10 am and 1 pm once per week
You will need ID because they will check if you are who you say you are
You need to sign in and put name, # of people in household, and your zip code
If you have grocery bags at your house just laying around, you can donate them while you are there.
Every little bit helps.
Third Street Church of God:
427 3rd Street
(260) 432-4474
You can go either Tuesday at noon or Saturday at 8am once per week
You will need ID/a piece of mail showing your current address
When you get there, you will go in the church (in the back) get a number, go outside and wait until everything is setup.
A woman named Sherry’s in charge. She will check that everyone has their IDs and mail.
The Pastor of the church will come out and pray.
Sherry will call numbers and when she calls the numbers you range between, you will go get in your car and drive through (volunteers put the food in your car).
If you are walking, you will go first before the cars.
They also have clothes inside the door you sign in at (they are free)
St. Franciscan Center:
4643 Gaywood Drive
(260) 744-3977
For food you can go either Tuesday or Thursday from 9am to 11am
Their Medicine Cabinet is open on Tuesday from 10am to 11am. You can choose 3 free items.
They have Cold Meds for adults/children, vitamins, cream/ointments, hygiene products, pampers (children/adults), shampoo/conditioner, and house cleaning products etc.
You will need ID and a piece of mail the first time you go and if your address does not change, every other time you go, you will only need your ID.
You can go to both of these 1x/month (it does not have to be 30 days though, for example, if you go on February 28, you can go again on March 1st)
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Soup Kitchen:
1101 S. Lafayette (Corner of Jefferson/Lafayette across from Burger King/Matthew 25)
(260) 426-1217
You can go Mon-Fri. 10 am to 2 pm
No ID required. You will just have to sign in. They also have a prayer request box for anyone that needs prayer.
Normally, they give you soup with napkins/utensils, a quart of milk, and bread.
Community Harvest Food Bank:
999 E. Tillman Rd. (behind City County Bank)
(260) 447-3696
Open to the public every Saturday between 9am to 12 noon
You can go every Saturday if you want to
They normally give you snacks, bread, sacks of potatoes, milk, and water.
Sometimes it is different every time you go, so basically you just have to go to see what is there on that particular Saturday.
Community Cupboard allows our member agencies to directly refer clients to this “mom & pop” style grocery store for food assistance.
Those referred clients can shop for everything their family needs including: fresh fruits, and vegetables, meat, canned food, cereal, spices, flour, sugar, dairy products, cleaning supplies, paper goods, personal hygiene products, vitamins, and more.
Clients shop by weight allowances determined by the referring agency.
For some perspective: one hundred pounds roughly equals a heaping grocery cart full of food.
This shopping experience allows families to choose the food they want and need with dignity in a clean, friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere.
CHFB Community Cupboard
999 E. Tillman Road
Fort Wayne, In
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm
Saturday 9am – 2pm
The CHFB Community Cupboard program has been used as a model for other food banks around the county.
Shoppers must present an approved shopping voucher from a CHFB member agency.
Kids Café
The Weisser Park Center
802 Eckart Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Site Coordinator: Costella Mack
(260) 427-6780 (School year hours)
Monday – Friday 4 pm to 5:30 pm
Kids Café is a safe place where kids at risk can go for a hot meal prepared and served by volunteers and youth program staff with food provided by Community Harvest Food Bank.
The Euell Wilson Center
1512 Oxford Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46806 Liz Murphy
Site Coordinator
(260) 456-2917
Monday – Friday 3 pm to 5:15 pm
The Jennings Recreational Ctr.
1330 McCulloch St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46803
Program Coordinator: Michael Ayres
(260) 427-6700
Monday – Friday 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
The Cooper Recreational Ctr.
2300 S. Clinton St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
Program Coordinator: Michael Ayres
(260) 427-6700
Monday – Friday
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren
6404 S. Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
Site Coordinator: Karen McCeldowney
(260) 456-1993 Wednesday
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
United Hispanic American
2424 Fairfield Ave
Fort Wayne, IN 46807 Pat
Program Director: Patricia Cordero
(260) 456-5000
Wednesday 6 pm to 6:30 pm
Fairfield Boys & Girls Club
2609 Fairfield Ave.
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
Site Coordinator: Regina Hesiben
(260) 744-0998
Monday – Friday 4 pm to 5 pm
Brookmill Boys & Girls Club
2857 Millbrook Dr.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Site Coordinator: Sebria Monday
(260)459-0296
Monday – Friday 4 pm to 5 pm
McCormick Boys & Girls Club
3005 McCormick Ave.
Fort Wayne, IN 46803
Site Coordinator: Dustin Petre
(260)422-4109
Monday – Friday 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Salem United Church
2401 Lake Ave.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Site Coordinator: Pastor Michael Smith
(260)426-5854
Wednesday 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
New Dawn
610 Grand Street
Ligonier, IN 47909 Julia Gibbon
Site Coordinator
(260) 894-3191
Tuesday – Thursday 6:15 pm to 6:45 pm
New Creations/Unto Others
1651 Cass Street (Between 6th and Putnam)
(260) 422-9934
Open Tuesday and Thursday, and the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month have to be there by 9 am.
Need to bring ID and bill or piece of mail with your name on it
You must bring a $20 – $25 Cash Donation (depends on family size) to give but you will get a whole lot of food and household products for that much. More than you would if you went to the store
They also have a thrift store within there
FREE CLOTHING CLOSETS (everything is pre-washed)
Love Church
1331 E Berry Street.
(260) 422-8961 (call to make an appointment)
Will need to bring ID, social security cards, birth certificates/bags when you go to your appointment
They also offer GED services, computer training, and other services
Community of Christ
3223 Hobson Road
(260) 483-8242
Open on Monday from 9:30 pm to 4 pm.
You will need your ID.
St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store
1600 S. Calhoun Street
(260) 456-3561
If anyone, man/woman/child need clothes, you just go in there and fill out a form and they will let you get 2 outfits a piece just to help out.
If someone needs help with appliances, furniture etc., you will need to get a referral from any Catholic Church in your area (same zip code as you) in order for this thrift store to assist you.
Martha’s Closet is a referral based ministry that provides clothing to those who are in need. Guests must be referred by an agency, church or school. A referral form must be filled out.
RENT / DEPOSITS / UTILITY ASSISTANCE
First, go to your Township Trustee Office. If they deny you, do not worry about it because in order for other agencies to help you, they will need that denial letter. The denial letter has to be received within 30 days of the other agencies helping you. There is no limit on how many agencies you can go to. The person trying to get assistance does not receive money. Checks are sent directly to the person or place charging the clients and before that’s done, they call to make sure it is legit. Wayne Township’s number is (260) 449-7000.
Catholic Charities
915 E. Washington Blvd
(260) 422-5625 ext. 277
Call on Thursday at 8 am to schedule an appointment
In as Much Ministry (Broadway Christian Church)
Phone: (260)422-3498.
Go in the door closest to the Hospital. You will see a line of people at the door.
They tell you to be there by 9 am, no later than 8:45 am to be seen.
DO NOT GET THERE RIGHT AT 9 AM, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET IN THE DOOR
They are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Bring ID and denial letter from Township (the message on the phone when you call, it will tell you what else you need to bring)
They pay up to $100 regardless of what the bill is
They also give out bus passes, food, and clothes depending on your situation.
They will wither pledge to pay the money or tell you they cannot help and refer you to other agencies. If they pledge the money, they will give you a list of things to do within 2 weeks before they will send out the check to pay your bill such as You will have to do an employment search if you are unemployed or if you do not have a Church home, fill out Bible study worksheets and attend church services…it depends on your situation. But if you say you have a Church home, they want a letter from your Pastor on the Church’s letterhead saying why they cannot assist you in your time of need.
Salvation Army
2901 North Clinton St
(260)744-2311
Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4:30 pm
GET THERE HOURS EARLY BECAUSE THEY ONLY TAKE CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PEOPLE. THEY WILL TELL YOU HOW MANY WHEN YOU CALL.
To fill out the application, go on Monday. They will give you an appointment time to come back. DO NOT FORGET YOUR DENIAL LETTER FROM THE TOWNSHIP.
They give vouchers for gas in your car.
CANI (Community Action of Northeast Indiana)
227 E. Washington Blvd.
(260) 423-3546
Assists with Rent/Deposit, Utility Assistance, and Childcare Assistance
Greater Progressive Baptist Church
2215 John Street
(260)744-6235
Offers help with Food, Clothing, Utilities, and Rent.
Call and see what times non-members can receive Benevolence assistance.
East Wayne Street Center: 801 E. Wayne Street, (260) 422-6502 – Call to see what all they help with…I believe they help with water bills, food, and other utilities.
Lutheran Social Services: 330 Madison, (260 )426-3347; 3326 S. Calhoun Street, (260)745-3388 – They pay mortgage and utilities bills without a disconnect notice.
CHILDCARE
Call Early Childhood Alliance at (260) 745-2501 for listing of daycares
PREGNANT OR HAVE A CHILD UNDER AGE 16?
Hope Center
3701 S. Calhoun Street
(260) 969-4357
3030 Lake Ave
(260)422-3544
Sign up for the Earn While You Learn Program. It gives you a chance to begin a relationship with God if you do not have one yet and gives you the opportunity to provide for your kids at the same time. As long as you sign up for the program before your child turns 1, you are good.
How the program works is you attend 1 or 2x/week (depending on if you are pregnant or not) and participate in parenting classes where you fill out worksheets on videos, have someone to vent to (You will pick who you want to see every time you go…it will be the same person. After a while, this person and agency will seem like your family) and talk about God and your situation.
FREE OR INEXPENSIVE FURNITURE
Mustard Seed Furniture Bank of Fort Wayne
5429 Keystone Dr.
(260) 471-5802
All you need is a referral from a Social Service Agency, Church/Pastor to get started. They need to call and talk to someone in order to get furniture.
After the paperwork is all done, they come to your house/apt that you are requesting furniture for and inspect just to make sure you really need what you are asking for.
Then, you go to Mustard Seed and pick out what you want. There is fee of $20 for this service that you are responsible for.
Ad Paper (Sold at Gas Station for $1.23)
Where people sell, trade, and even give a way furniture, cars, and appliances, whatever. They also have garage/yard sell postings.
Cross Borders Partners Inc.:
4611 Newaygo Rd., Apt. A
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260)484-8580
HOUSING (POSSIBLE WAITING LISTS) AND TEMPORARY SHELTERS
Charis House (Emergency homeless shelter for women/children)
(260) 426-8123
Fort Wayne Women’s Bureau (Transitional rehab housing-women/children)
2440 Bowser Ave.
(260) 424-7977
Genesis Outreach (Transitional housing-substance abuse-men/women)
2812 Gay Street
(260) 456-1480
Hope House (Emergency shelter/Transitional housing-women only)
1115 Garden Street or 1129 Garden Street
Interfaith Hospitality Network (Emergency shelter for families)
State Street in between the Gin Mill and Parkview Plaza
(260) 458-9772
Premier Palace (Women)
317 East Williams Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46803
(260)745-3037
The Vincent House
2827 Holt Ave.
(260) 456-4172
YWCA-Fort Wayne (Domestic violence shelter)
(260) 424-4908 or (260) 447-7233
INCOME-BASED HOUSING IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
Allen County
Project-Based Section 8 Developments
A project-based section 8 development provides rental assistance to make affordable rental units low-income people. When you get help through a project-based section 8, you have to live in that particular housing development. When you leave that development, the section 8 assistance remains with the development. The assistance cannot be transferred to another property.
Adam & Bruce Apartments (elderly)
5910 Hessen Cassel Rd.
FW IN 46816
(260) 447-3496
Allen County Group Homes
2542 Thompson Ave
FW IN 46807
(260) 456-4534
Cambridge Square
Fort Wayne IN
7600 Cold Springs Blvd.
FW IN 46825
(260) 489-5471
Centennial Towne Homes
7936 Serenity Drive
FW IN 46816
(260) 447-3591
Eden Green Apartments
2201 Reed Street
FW IN 46803
(260) 456-2157
Edsall House
310 W. Berry St.
FW IN 46802
(260) 426-6370
800-326-9193
Fairington Apartments
4931 Fairington Dr. FW IN 46825
(260) 484-2978
(800) 326-9193
Richfield Apartments
4737 Heatherwind Dr.
FW IN 46815 120
(260) 422-1231
(260) 422-1315
Salem Manor (elderly)
1221 E. California Rd.
FW IN 46825
(260) 484-4454
Salem View
1225 E. California Rd.
FW IN 46825
(260) 484-6158
Arbors of Southtown Square (disabled / elderly / 1 BR)
7915 F Old Decatur Rd.
FW IN 46816
(260) 447-4502
True Love Manor
6025 S Hanna Street
FW IN 46806
(260) 456-2771
Woodbridge Apartment
5710 River Run Trail
FW IN 46825
(260) 482-8156
Woodview Manor
3506 Timberhill Dr.
FW IN 46815
(260) 486-1502
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Contact the Bar Association. They give free advice to people at 5 pm on Tuesdays.
Allen County Bar Associate
924 S. Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: (260) 423-2358
Web Site: http://www.allencountybar.org
211 has information about free legal help being offered at local churches.
LEGAL AID AND PRO BONO PROGRAMS
These programs provide free civil legal assistance, but your eligibility for services may be limited based on your income. (Legal help for low-income families)
Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana
927 S. Harrison Street or 904 S. Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: (260)407-0917
Toll Free: 877-407-0917
Hours: Monday – Friday 9 am to 4:30 pm
Counties Served: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells,
Whitley.
Type of Cases Accepted: Bankruptcy, Consumer, Education, Employment Law, Housing,
Wills, Contracts, Guardianships, Tax Matters, Torts, Real Estate, Health, Dissolution,
Custody, CED, Adoption.
Indiana Legal Services
203 W. Wayne Street, Ste. 410
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 219-422-8070
http://lsoi.org/stc_site
Intake: 800-422-8070
Counties Served: Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Steuben, Wells, Whitley
Type of Cases Accepted: Bankruptcy, Consumer, Elder Law, Employment Law, Housing, Wills,
Health, Domestic Violence, Dissolution.
FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS
Catherine Kasper Place
2826 S. Calhoun Street
Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography
For women 35 years old and older
Must have a primary care provider
Bring photo ID and Medicaid/Health Insurance Card
To schedule appointment: (260)483-1847 or Walk-In’s welcome
Parkview Community Nursing
Blood pressure, Cholesterol, Glucose and HDL
Must be 18 years of age or older
Also, Vision Screening with Pedi vision Machine
Ages 6 months and older
Parkview Women’s Center
Osteoporosis Screening
Men and women
18 years of age and older
Super Shot
Children 18 years of age and under
Super Shot charges a minimal fee of $8 per shot
Medicaid is accepted and no one will be turned away for inability to pay
FREE CLINICS
Neighborhood Health Clinics
1721 S. Calhoun St
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Tel:( 260)458-2641
Matthew 25 Health & Dental Clinic
413 E. Jefferson Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Tel: (260) 426-3250
Quality Counseling & Psychological Services 