Support & Help

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

Food Assistance (SNAP)

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 Online
  • 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.
  • Apply by mail:
    • South Bend Office, St. Joseph County DF
      3575 Moreau Court, Suite 300
      South Bend, IN 46628-4837
      Telephone: 800-403-0864
      Fax: 888-436-9199
      ZIP codes: 46536, 46595 46601, 46613, 46614, 46615, 46617, 46634, 46552, 46554, 46574, 46616, 46619, 46624, 46626, 46628, 46556, 46635, 46637, 46660, 46680 and 46699

Info and updates about SNAP | Appeals process

Local Food Assistance in St. Joseph County

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 46628
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 University South Bend.

Unity Gardens
Main Garden, LaSalle Square
3701 Prast Blvd
South Bend IN 46628
574-222-2266

“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.”

Cash Assistance (TANF)

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.

Appeals process

South Bend Office, St. Joseph County DFR

  • Address:
    3575 Moreau Court, Suite 300
    South Bend, IN 46628-4837
  • Phone:
    Telephone: 800-403-0864
    Fax: 888-436-9199
  • Service Area ZIP codes: 46536, 46595 46601, 46613, 46614, 46615, 46617, 46634, 46552, 46554, 46574, 46616, 46619, 46624, 46626, 46628, 46556, 46635, 46637, 46660, 46680 and 46699

Family and Social Service Administration (FSSA)

The FSSA can help connect you with social services and health care.

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

WIC aims to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5 by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education and health care referrals.

Mishawaka Clinic
201 Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, IN 46544
(574) 647-2175; (Fax. # 574-647-2184)
Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.: 8 am – 5 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 – 1 pm)
Tues.: 9:30 am – 7 pm (closed for lunch from 2:30 – 3 pm)
Fri.: 8 am – 2 pm

North Liberty Community Center
300 South Main Street, North Liberty, IN 46554
For appt., call Lafayette Av. Clinic: (574) 647-2100
3rd Wed.: 8 – 4:30 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 – 1 pm)

South Bend
325 N. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 647-2100
Mon., Wed., Thurs.: 8 am – 5 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 – 1 pm)
Tues.: 9:30 am – 7 pm (closed for lunch 2:30 -3 pm)
Fri.: 8 am – 1:30 pm

Southeast Neighborhood Center
405 E. Dubail Ave, South Bend, IN 46613
(574) 393-9658 ext. 1300; Fax (574) 393-9659
Mon., Wed.: 8 am – 5 pm (closed for lunch from 12:30 – 1 pm)
Fri.: 8 am – 1:30 pm

For more information call 574-647-2100 (South Bend) / 574-647-2175 (Mishawaka).

Call 211 for Short-Term Help

For help with urgent or immediate needs, call 211.
“2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps Hoosiers across Indiana find the local resources they need. Dial 2-1-1 to connect with a navigator. We’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

If you are having trouble paying bills or utilities, buying groceries, finding childcare, dealing with addiction, call 2-1-1 to inquire about short-term help.

Financial Assistance Programs, St. Vincent de Paul Society

520 Crescent Avenue ~ South Bend, IN 46617 ~ (574) 234-6000

Indiana Housing Now

This is a free, state online resource for renters and property managers in Indiana. The dynamic search options allow you to find affordable, accessible and market-rate housing that will fit your needs. http://indianahousingnow.org/

City of South Bend

View local programs and support throughout the city here.

St. Joseph County Township Trustees

Township Trustees can offer cash assistance for food, utilities, etc. If you’re unsure which St. Joseph County Township you reside in, you can enter your address here: Census Reporter or call SJCPL at 574-282-4646.

  • Portage Township: 340 Columbia Ave, South Bend, IN 46601, (574) 233-2126
  • Centre Township: 20502 Johnson Rd, South Bend, IN 46614, (574) 291-7766
  • Clay Township: 18355 Auten Rd, South Bend, IN 46637, (574) 277-4452
  • German Township: 51755 Portage Rd, South Bend, IN 46628, (574) 272-9020
  • Harris Township: 13981 State Road 23, Granger, IN 46530, (574) 272-2371
  • Liberty Township: 300 S Main St. PO Box 729, North Liberty, IN 46554, (574) 656-4587
  • Madison Township: 15267 Madison Rd., Mishawaka, IN. 46544, (574) 850-0302
  • Olive Township: 102 S Arch St. PO Box 214, New Carlisle, IN 46552, (574) 654-3231
  • Penn Township: 210 E Russ St, Mishawaka, IN 46545, (574) 256-6213
  • Union Township: 507 S Michigan St. PO Box 510, Lakeville, IN 46536, (574) 784-3110
  • Warren Township: 54837 Quince Rd, South Bend, IN 46628, (574) 288-8702

Updated 9.29.2026

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