Food, Cash, & Transportation Assistance

We all need a little help sometimes. If you have lost income, here are some available resources to help you get by during this challenging time. Apply for long term and short term help through:

• Food Assistance (SNAP)
• Cash Assistance (TANF)
• 211 and United Way
• City of South Bend’s COVID 19 Community Resources

Reach out to a librarian with any questions or for one-on-one assistance navigating these resources!

Call 574-282-4646
Email library@sjcpl.org
Visit any library location

SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is available to help individuals and families buy the food they need for good health when their income has been reduced.

• Apply by phone: 800-403-0864
  • The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Family Resources (FSSA/DFR) offices. This is a statewide number serving residents of all Indiana counties.
  • Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time.

Frequently Asked Questions | Info and updates about SNAP | Appeals process

• Apply by mail:
  • South Bend Office, St. Joseph County DF
    401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 375
    South Bend, IN 46617-2737
    Telephone/fax number: 800-403-0864
    ZIP codes 46536, 46552, 46554, 46574, 46595, 46601, 46613, 46614, 46615, 46616, 46617, 46619, 46624, 46626, 46628, 46634
  • Mishawaka Office, St. Joseph County DFR
    102 N. Center St., Suite 500
    Mishawaka, IN 46544-1232
    Telephone/fax number: 800-403-0864
    ZIP codes 46530, 46544, 46545, 46546, 46556, 46561, 46635, 46637, 46660, 46680, 46699

NOTE: While offices are closed, all scheduled appointments will take place over the phone.

Food Bank of Northern Indiana (South Bend)
702 Chapin Street
South Bend, IN 46601
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
574-232-9986

Mishawaka Food Pantry
315 Lincolnway West
Mishawaka, IN 46544
Monday – Friday 10 AM to 2 PM
574-220-6213

St. Augustine Parish Soup Kitchen
1501 W Washington Street
South Bend, IN 46619
Main Phone (574) 234-7082
Soup Kitchen (574) 234-6334

“The Saint Augustine Soup Kitchen was founded by Francis Hubbard as his deaconate project in the mid to late 1970’s. He was a member of St. Augustine parish and the soup kitchen has been a parish project since its founding, although the soup kitchen maintains its own funding and governance structure. Francis sought out and was given financial help from the St. Vincent de Paul Society and they have considered the soup kitchen as one of their outreach projects as well.”

Titans Feeding Titans Food Pantry
South Bend, IN 46615
Fine Arts Building, Room 111
574-520-4256

Titans Feeding Titans Food Pantry is a student-run food pantry for the students and staff of Indiana South Bend.”

Unity Gardens
Main Garden, LaSalle Square
3701 Prast Blvd
South Bend IN 46628
574-315-4361 – call or text

“Unity Gardens’ mission is to improve community health: Physically by increasing accessibility of fruits and vegetables as well as providing education on nutrition and food preparation. Socially by providing education, increased social capital, and opportunities for the disadvantaged. Economically: by developing a sustainable local food system, recapturing food waste, creating new jobs, and increasing per-capita productivity.”

When will eligible households receive benefits?
“Eligible households that are not already certified to receive SNAP and will have a monthly gross income of less than $150 AND less than $100 in cash / checking / savings in the month of application, or have monthly housing costs that exceed their gross monthly income and cash/checking/savings for the month of application will receive benefits within seven days from the date of application. Other households will receive notification of determination within thirty days from the date of application.”

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a program that provides cash assistance and supportive services to assist families with children under age 18.

• Apply online here.
• Apply by phone: 800-403-0864
  • The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Family Resources (FSSA/DFR) offices. This is a statewide number serving residents of all Indiana counties.
    • Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time.

Frequently Asked Questions | Appeals process

South Bend Office, St. Joseph County DFR

• 401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 375
  South Bend, IN 46617-2737
• ZIP codes 46536, 46552, 46554, 46574, 46595, 46601, 46613, 46614, 46615, 46616, 46617, 46619, 46624, 46626, 46628, 46634

Mishawaka Office, St. Joseph County DFR

• 102 N. Center St., Suite 500
  Mishawaka, IN 46544-1232
• ZIP codes 46530, 46544, 46545, 46546, 46556, 46561, 46635, 46637, 46660, 46680, 46699

• Apply by mail: Division of Family Resources P.O. Box 1810, Marion, IN 46952.