Several churches and faith-based community organizations in Indianapolis and Marion County offer financial aid, assistance with rent and utility payments, food pantries, and essential household items to residents facing financial hardship.
Financial assistance for rent and utilities
Eastern Star Church CARE Center
The Eastern Star Church CARE Center provides benevolent financial assistance to help individuals and families in Marion County pay for rent and utilities.
Because the CARE Center operates using a structured, case-by-case assessment model, it is important to understand their specific application rules, timing restrictions, and documentation requirements before contacting them.
Major guidelines and application rules
No walk-ins or in-person service: Applications are processed exclusively via phone and email. Benevolent assistance is not provided in person or on a walk-in basis.
Not for emergencies: Their intake and review process does not accommodate same-day emergency assistance or cases of imminent eviction. It is strongly recommended that you make temporary payment arrangements with your landlord or utility company while your application is being processed.
Frequency limits: Eligible applicants may receive financial assistance once per year (within a 12-month period) and up to a maximum of three times in their lifetime.
Partial payment required: You must first make a partial payment toward the rent or utility bill and provide the church with formal proof of that payment.
Required documents
When applying, you must submit electronic copies (photos or scanned documents) of the following:
- Identification: Official government-issued photo ID.
- Proof of income: Your most recent pay stub or proof of unemployment benefits.
- Proof of residency: A document verifying your current address in Marion County.
- For rent assistance: A complete copy of your current lease agreement and a recent rent statement or payment record.
- For utility assistance: A copy of the most recent utility bill.
- Proof of partial payment: A receipt or account statement confirming that a portion of the bill has been paid.
How to Apply
To begin the application process, contact the CARE Center during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: Call 317-547-5483. Note: Do not leave voicemails outside of business hours or on weekends.
Email: You can contact the team directly at wecare@easternstarchurch.org.
More information: Check the Eastern Star Church official charitable assistance page and the CARE Center FAQ portal for recent updates.
Traders Point Christian Church Care Ministry
The Traders Point Christian Church (TPCC) Care Ministry offers a wide range of emotional, physical, and financial support services for individuals in central Indiana facing painful situations or severe financial hardship.
Financial assistance for rent and utilities
The church evaluates requests for charitable financial assistance on a case-by-case basis.
Eligible expenses: You may request financial assistance specifically to cover rent or utility bills.
Application process: All requests must be submitted online by completing the Traders Point financial assistance form.
Form details required: When completing the form, you must provide a brief description explaining the immediate reason for needing financial support, the exact dollar amount requested (e.g., $350.00), the bill’s due date, and the exact name and business address of the landlord or utility provider who will receive the church’s check.
Processing time notice: Due to an extremely high volume of requests in the region, TPCC explicitly states that it cannot accommodate emergency or immediate same-day needs. Processing times are longer than usual, so you should inform your landlord or utility provider that you are awaiting the church’s review.
Other Ministry of Care Programs
In addition to rent and utility assistance, the Ministry of Care and its partner networks offer other support systems:
Support for foster and adoptive families: Through the Northwest Campus Resource Center, foster, adoptive, and kinship families can request essential baby items (such as diapers, wipes, car seats, and beds) completely free of charge by filling out an online request form. They also provide select financial grants to significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for childcare or counseling for eligible families.
Food and Housing Network: TPCC maintains a curated, local county database that directly connects individuals with partner food banks and crisis assistance groups in Marion and Hamilton counties.
Counseling and support groups: They offer referrals to highly recommended clinical psychologists and licensed therapists, as well as church-specific support programs for marriage counseling, mental health, grief, and addiction recovery.
Prayer requests: You can submit formal prayer requests online or write directly to the pastoral care team at care@tpcc.org.
The Salvation Army of Central Indiana
The Salvation Army of Central Indiana offers emergency financial aid to help Marion County residents stabilize their housing situation and avoid homelessness. Their emergency funds are intended to cover past-due rent, mortgages, and utility bills (including electricity, gas, water, and sewage).
Since funding depends heavily on active seasonal grants and your neighborhood’s zip code, requests for financial aid are processed through local community centers (known as Corps).
Requirements and restrictions
Township Trustee Rule: To qualify for financial aid, you must first apply for emergency assistance at your local Indiana Township Trustee’s office. The Salvation Army requires a copy of the formal approval or denial notice issued by that office within the last 60 days before evaluating your application.
Partial payment policy: The Salvation Army rarely covers the full amount of a bill. Generally, you are required to pay the majority of the rent or the amount needed to prevent service disconnection first, leaving only a remaining balance. The organization’s financial commitment must explicitly guarantee at least 30 days of continued service or housing stability.
Exclusions: They do not cover security deposits, utility connection fees, or charges associated with meter tampering or fraud.
Frequency limit: Financial aid is typically limited to once every 12 months per household.
Specific Programs and Locations
- CenterPoint Energy Customer Assistance Fund (CAF)
In partnership with CenterPoint Energy, The Salvation Army administers a specialized fund that provides direct bill payment assistance and case management to current electric service customers experiencing an energy crisis. This program targets households that meet the eligibility requirements for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). You can find information or submit an application through The Salvation Army Indiana Divisional Headquarters portal.
- Eagle Creek Corps (Westside Indianapolis)
Service Area: Primarily serves individuals and families residing on the west side of Indianapolis.
Process: Accepts online applications. You will need a valid photo ID, a letter from the Township Trustee, proof of SSI/SSDI benefits or child support, and your most recent overdue utility bill or lease agreement.
Contact: Call 317-299-4454 (ext. 230) or email the coordinator at indyec@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Address: 4400 N High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46254.
- Fountain Square Corps (Southside/Downtown)
Service Area: Manages social service cases for downtown and Southside Indianapolis neighborhoods.
Process: Evaluates requests for emergency rent and utility assistance on a case-by-case basis, depending on the current availability of local funds.
Contact: Call 317-632-0156 to check current hours for walk-in service or telephone assessments.
Address: 1337 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN 46203.
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (often referred to simply as Mt. Carmel Church) is a major faith-based community center serving the Lawrence Township and Far Eastside areas of Indianapolis. They offer essential stabilization services, including local emergency assistance and specific food security programs.
Emergency Support for Rent and Utility Crises
Services: Mt. Carmel offers limited local financial assistance for rent, mortgages, and utility bills to help families overcome temporary financial emergencies.
Process: Because emergency funds depend heavily on current seasonal budgets, scheduling an appointment is strictly required. You should call ahead or email their administrative team to verify current budget availability and find out what documentation (such as a lease agreement, utility disconnection notice, or a letter from a township trustee) you need to provide.
Contact information:
Phone line: Call 317-890-2740.
Intake email: Contact mtcarmel@mtcarmelindy.org. Physical address: 9610 East 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46235.
Food security and nutritional assistance
On-site food pantry: Mt. Carmel operates an on-site food pantry available to any Indianapolis resident experiencing food insecurity.
Pantry hours: Open every Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Frequency limit: Families may access supplemental food assistance up to twice every 30 days.
Community mobile grocery store: To combat local “food deserts,” the church operates a mobile trailer outfitted as a grocery store. This vehicle travels directly to high-need neighborhoods to sell fresh produce, healthy staples, and baby essentials (such as diapers) at deeply subsidized, affordable prices. It also accepts EBT/SNAP benefits. You can view active routes via the Mt. Carmel mobile store tracking system.
Food, Clothing & Household Goods
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP Indy)
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP Indy) is one of the most comprehensive faith-based assistance networks in Marion County. Rather than operating from a single church, it connects a vast network of volunteers from local Catholic parishes who bring personalized emergency aid directly to residents.
Unlike financial assistance programs, SVdP Indy’s food pantries operate on a walk-in, direct-service, and “client-choice” model (where individuals select the items they want). You must present a photo ID and proof of address (such as a recent utility bill).
30th Street Food Pantry
Address: 3001 30th St, Indianapolis, IN 46218.
Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Note: They also offer a free home food delivery program, specifically for individuals with disabilities or those who are homebound due to health reasons.
Love Your Neighbor Food Pantry
Address: 2500 Churchman Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203.
Hours: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Boulevard Place Food Pantry
Address: 4202 Boulevard Pl, Indianapolis, IN 46208.
Hours: Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (drive-thru service only); Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Catholic Charities Indianapolis
Catholic Charities Indianapolis provides essential support services to low-income families, seniors, and the homeless in central Indiana. They assist community members regardless of their religious, economic, or social background.
The Catholic Charities Indianapolis Crisis Office serves as a direct service center for individuals unable to afford basic necessities.
Services: It offers immediate access to emergency food, personal hygiene items, and free clothing. They also evaluate requests for limited financial assistance (such as help paying utility bills or rent) based on current budget availability.
How it works: Services are provided exclusively on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. Clients are strongly encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before opening time to ensure they can be assisted by a volunteer.
Operating Hours:
Mondays: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Note: Afternoon hours are dedicated exclusively to food distribution).
Tuesday through Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday through Sunday: Closed.
Pantry location: Located in the Xavier Building at 1435 N Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Crisis helpline: Call 317-236-1512.
Edna Martin Christian Center (EMCC)
The Edna Martin Christian Center (EMCC) serves as a vital community pillar, focusing primarily on the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood and surrounding areas of Indianapolis’s Eastside. They offer comprehensive emergency services to help low-income households move from crisis situations toward long-term stability.
Services: Provides free, pre-packed pantry bags containing fresh food, household essentials, and staple items. Households may return to receive one free bag per week.
Hours: Open Monday through Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Format: Operates via a convenient drive-thru system at the main entrance. A staff member will come directly to your vehicle to assist with registration and loading the items.
Utility and Rent Assistance
Energy programs: EMCC administers seasonal utility assistance. This includes processing applications for the federal Energy Assistance Program (EAP) and the local Winter Assistance Fund (WAF).
Housing and FEMA grants: Emergency financial assistance for rent or utilities depends strictly on active funding cycles (such as temporary federal FEMA grants). You should contact your social services team to verify if direct funds are available.
Baby care items
Services: Through a formal partnership with the Indiana Diaper Bank, eligible low-income parents and guardians can pick up diapers and baby wipes for free.
Resources for seniors
Services: In partnership with CICOA, the EMCC distributes monthly food boxes specifically for seniors in the neighborhood.
Broader community networks
If local churches lack sufficient funds, you can turn to broader networks in Marion County:
Township Trustees: Your local Township Trustee’s office is legally required to provide emergency assistance to low-income individuals (including help with rent and utilities) if you meet the eligibility requirements. You can contact the Center Township Trustee at 317-633-3610 or look up the office serving your area.
Indiana 211: By dialing 2-1-1 from any phone, you will reach a representative who can locate available funds at churches serving your specific zip code.
