Churches and religious organizations throughout Broward County provide vital emergency assistance, including help with rent and utility payments, as well as food and temporary shelter. If you are facing an immediate crisis, the fastest option is to dial 2-11 to reach 211 Broward. They maintain a real-time database of local churches that have funds available for financial assistance during the current week.
Major Churches that help Families inBroward County
The following prominent religious and charitable organizations operate multiple programs and regional locations throughout Broward County:
The Salvation Army of Broward County
The Salvation Army of Broward County provides essential emergency financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utility payments, as well as daily meal programs and shelter resources. Because emergency funds are very limited, they use a strict, specific weekly schedule to manage requests for emergency aid.
Weekly schedule for financial assistance requests
To request emergency financial assistance, you must call their social services line at (954) 524-6991 during specific, limited time slots:
Rent and mortgage assistance: Call only on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Utility bill assistance: Call only on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Note: If the lines are busy, leave a detailed message with your full name and phone number. Staff generally return calls within 7 to 10 business days, subject to fund availability.
Major assistance programs offered
The Fort Lauderdale Area Command manages several social services for Broward residents:
Emergency financial assistance: One-time crisis funds intended to stabilize individuals or families facing imminent eviction or utility disconnection.
Drive-thru food pantry: Distributes staple foods and fresh produce every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. via a contactless distribution system.
Daily community dinners: Open to anyone in need of a hot meal; served daily from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Overnight emergency shelter: Beds are available for individuals experiencing homelessness. However, to access the shelter or transitional housing programs, you must first obtain a formal referral through the Broward County Homeless Helpline by calling (954) 563-4357.
Eligibility and Rules
- Crisis Status: You must be experiencing a sudden financial crisis and not currently receiving other government housing vouchers or long-term assistance.
- Documentation: If the initial telephone assessment is successful, you will need to present a valid Florida ID, your formal lease agreement, and an official past-due payment notice or utility shut-off notice.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul – South Florida
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) of South Florida provides essential assistance for basic needs to families facing sudden financial crises throughout Broward County. Operating as a network of individual Catholic parish “conferences” run entirely by volunteers, they offer aid specifically within local neighborhood boundaries and through personalized home visits.
The organization offers free and confidential services to individuals and families, regardless of religious beliefs:
Financial Crisis Aid: Offers direct, one-time emergency financial assistance to pay overdue rent or mortgage payments and prevent imminent eviction.
Utility Bill Support: Coordinates emergency funds specifically to settle overdue FPL electricity bills and prevent service shut-offs.
Distribution of Essentials: Provides emergency food baskets, groceries, clothing vouchers, and referrals to local soup kitchens.
Indigent Burial Assistance: Provides compassionate, specialized support to cover burial and funeral expenses for low-income families unable to afford proper services.
How to Request Help
Since assistance is decentralized, the application process depends on your exact place of residence:
Call the Central District Intake office: Contact the regional office line at (954) 395-6817. They are available Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Assignment to a local church: The central office will link your zip code to the local Catholic parish conference responsible for your neighborhood.
Home visit: Unlike typical charitable organizations where you have to wait in long lines, SVdP volunteers (known as Vincentians) work in pairs to conduct a brief, mandatory home visit. They use this meeting to review your bills, understand your specific crisis, and directly authorize payments to your landlord or utility provider.
Thrift Store and Voucher Programs
The South Florida Council operates a main center in northern Broward:
Location: The main store and service center is located at 2323 N Dixie Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL 33060.
Vouchers: Families going through the intake process can receive special vouchers to obtain items from the thrift store—such as clothing, furniture, small appliances, and basic household goods—completely free of charge.
HOPE South Florida
To receive assistance from HOPE South Florida, you must first contact the Broward County Homeless Helpline at (954) 563-4357. The organization operates strictly on a referral basis and cannot provide immediate assistance to walk-ins, nor through direct phone calls or contact.
Available programs and services
Once the referral is made, you will be assigned a Family Advocate to guide you through your personalized recovery plan:
Housing services: Rapid Re-Housing assistance covers first and last month’s rent and the security deposit, as well as up to 80% of the monthly rent. Temporary crisis housing is also available on-site for immediate emergencies.
Physical resources: Access to mobile shower units, mail services, and shared community meals.
Support classes and financial education: Weekly or monthly case management meetings, along with training in technical skills, budgeting, parenting, and financial literacy.
Benefits management: Step-by-step assistance with applying for SNAP (food stamps), non-cash income benefits, and legal aid, as well as obtaining government-issued identification documents.
Center Location and General Contact Information
While walk-ins are not accepted for emergency assistance, you may contact the administrative office for general inquiries regarding programs or training schedules:
Address: 2701 W Cypress Creek Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Administrative Phone: (954) 566-2311
Email: info@HOPESouthFlorida.org
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami offers a wide range of emergency financial assistance, housing solutions, and social services across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties. Its primary emergency services operate by appointment only, helping individuals and families stabilize during financial crises.
Emergency Financial Assistance
To prevent eviction, homelessness, or utility shut-offs, the Catholic Charities Emergency Services department offers short-term assistance.
Services offered: Assistance with past-due rent and mortgage payments, utility bill payments, and food vouchers.
How to apply for help: You must schedule an appointment. For the Miami-Dade County office, call (305) 573-3333 or email newlife@ccadm.org.
Housing and Shelter Programs
The organization manages various levels of housing programs based on income and age:
Temporary and workforce housing: Short-term accommodation and intensive case management aimed at low-income workers who, despite being employed, face difficulties due to high market rental prices.
Low-income senior housing: Managed through Catholic Housing Management, the organization operates 19 rental communities in South Florida for independent seniors (aged 62 and older) and younger adults with specific physical disabilities.
Additional Support Ministries
Beyond housing, they oversee comprehensive community health and wellness networks:
Substance abuse treatment: Residential care (inpatient) and counseling at the St. Luke’s Center in Miami.
Services for seniors: Senior centers offering daily hot meals, social activities, and case management.
Child and youth development: Safe, highly subsidized early education programs, as well as specialized assistance in finding shelter for unaccompanied immigrant minors.
Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward County
Goodman Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Broward County offers short-term financial assistance, food security, and mental health counseling to residents of all faiths and backgrounds. Its primary emergency programs operate strictly within established application timeframes and require a direct assessment by a social worker.
Financial Assistance and Application Guidelines
The Goodman JFS Financial Assistance Program serves as a one-time crisis intervention for unforeseen emergency expenses.
Application Days: Intake forms are accepted strictly on Mondays and Tuesdays only. Forms submitted on other days or incomplete forms will not be processed.
Covered Expenses: Eligible clients may receive emergency funds for past-due rent, mortgages, utility bills, maintenance fees, essential medications, medical supplies, and eyeglasses.
Food Security and Specialized Support Programs
Beyond direct emergency funding, Goodman JFS manages local food pantry networks and advocacy initiatives tailored to specific needs:
The Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard: A kosher food pantry dedicated to providing groceries to low-income individuals and families facing hunger throughout Broward County.
Holocaust Survivor Assistance: A specialized division offering guidance on obtaining compensation, counseling, support, and 24/7 emergency response networks for local survivors.
Joshua’s Path: Guidance services, educational workshops, and long-term planning tools designed for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities and their caregivers.
Domestic Abuse and Behavioral Health: The Jeff Masarek Behavioral Health Center offers individual, couples, and trauma-informed counseling for ages 6 and up, as well as specialized advocacy and safety services for victims of domestic abuse.
Local Church Food and Utility Assistance Ministries
Several congregations operate local food pantries or specific funds to prevent utility shut-offs:
- Abiding Savior Lutheran Church: Focuses its community outreach on immediate food distribution and utility bill payment assistance.
- A Place In Time Christian Ministries: Features a comprehensive food pantry offering fresh produce, a clothing ministry for adults and children, and seasonal holiday assistance baskets.
- Unitarian Universalist Church: Offers food pantry services open to the public and provides specific utility bill payments.
- Gulf Stream Baptist Association and Immanuel Baptist Church: Both organizations provide local community assistance for utility payments and general emergency needs, without strict age or income restrictions.
What to Prepare Before Requesting Assistance
Church assistance funds are often limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To maximize your chances of approval, gather the following documents before contacting the ministry:
- Proof of residency: A valid Florida driver’s license, ID card, or recent lease agreement matching your Broward County address.
- Crisis documentation: A copy of an overdue official utility bill, an official FPL service disconnection notice, or a formal 3-day eviction notice issued by the landlord.
- Income verification: Recent pay stubs, bank statements, or proof of public benefits (such as SNAP or SSI) to demonstrate financial need and the ability to maintain future payments.
