Several faith-based networks and church-affiliated assistance programs in San Antonio and Bexar County offer emergency financial aid to cover expenses such as rent, utilities, food, clothing, and medical care. Christian Assistance Ministries (CAM) and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are two of the largest networks that coordinate these resources through local parishes and congregations.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Southwest Texas
The Southwest Texas Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates 49 local parish-based conferences across San Antonio, Bexar County, and 18 surrounding counties, providing person-to-person emergency assistance.
Contact Information and Administrative Details
Council Phone Number: 210-225-7837 (you may call this central number for general guidance; however, specific requests are processed through individual parish conferences).
Mailing Address: Society of St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Texas Council, P.O. Box 831074, San Antonio, TX 78283.
Jurisdictional Policy: Generally, you must reside within the geographic boundaries of a specific parish conference to receive financial or food assistance from that location.
Key Local Locations and Operating Hours
Assistance is managed by individual parishes (such as St. Luke, St. Pius X, St. Peter Prince of the Apostles, St. John Neumann, St. Jude, St. Paul, St. Rose of Lima, St. Timothy, and St. Phillip of Jesus), each of which has its own weekly operating hours and local contact numbers. To view the complete directory—including addresses, phone numbers, operating hours, and the specific services offered by each of these conferences—please consult the reference document.
Main Assistance Programs Available
Food and Groceries: Basic staples, fresh food, meat, dairy products, milk, and eggs are distributed through local food pantries.
Rent and Housing Support: Emergency financial assistance—limited and evaluated on a case-by-case basis—is offered to prevent evictions or help stabilize a household’s housing situation.
Utility and Medication Assistance: Conditional aid is provided for electricity or water bills, as well as prescription medications, subject to the availability of funds at each local chapter (conference).
Family and Community Assistance Program: Housing stabilization services for eligible low-income households; subject to the availability of funds.
Home and Telephone Visits: Vincentian volunteers connect directly with families to offer guidance, treat them with dignity, and provide support in addressing their needs.
Christian Assistance Ministries (CAM)
Christian Assistance Ministries (CAM) functions as an “emergency room for social services” in San Antonio. It serves more than 70,000 community members each year on a first-come, first-served basis—no appointment necessary—providing them with essential social safety-net resources.
Important Policy Notice
Rent Assistance: CAM does not provide funding for rent or mortgage payments. For immediate housing or rent assistance, residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to reach the United Way helpline.
Locations and Hours of Operation
Christian Assistance Ministries – Downtown Campus: Located near downtown San Antonio, this main campus offers services for individuals experiencing homelessness as well as assistance for the broader community.
Address: 110 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
Phone: 210-223-4099
Hours: Monday–Thursday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM | Friday: 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) – Northwest Campus: Located on the premises of University United Methodist Church, this satellite office provides support to households in the northwest area.
Address: 5084 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249
Phone: 210-697-5771
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Friday – Sunday: Closed
Primary Emergency Assistance Programs
1. Utility Bill Assistance
Availability: May be requested once every 12 months.
Requirements: An official disconnection notice or a final notice of payment due must be presented.
Conditions: Generally, the program requires the applicant to cover a portion—often half—of the outstanding balance; CAM then negotiates the payment directly with the utility provider.
2. Recovery of Identity Documents and Vital Records
Texas Birth Certificates: Processed Monday through Thursday.
Birth Certificates from other states and state-issued IDs: Handled exclusively on Wednesdays (limited to the first 15 individuals).
Requirements: You must present your original Social Security card and another form of identification (e.g., an expired ID, a document issued by the correctional system, a school ID, or a legible color copy).
3. Food Pantries and Provisions
Individuals with housing: Food boxes are provided once every 60 days. A photo ID and proof of address (such as a recent utility bill) are required.
Individuals experiencing homelessness: Hot, bagged lunches are provided Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the Downtown Campus.
4. Assistance for Prescription Medications and Transportation
Prescription Medications: Financial assistance is available for life-sustaining medications, with an annual limit of $80.
Transportation: Free city bus passes are provided—subject to certain conditions—to help individuals attend confirmed medical appointments or to support those starting full-time employment.
Support Network for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness (Downtown Campus only)
Showers: Available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Basic Needs: Includes clothing vouchers, hygiene kits, and a secure, registered address for receiving mail.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio offers more than 40 bilingual programs—covering social, educational, legal, and emergency assistance areas—across 19 counties in Central and South Texas, serving individuals regardless of their faith or background.
Main Administrative and Intake Centers
Central Office / Headquarters: 202 W. French Pl., San Antonio, TX 78212 | Phone: 210-222-1294
Guadalupe Community Center: 1801 W. César E. Chávez Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78207 | Phone: 210-226-6178 (Primary center for emergency financial assistance, SNAP eligibility screening, and legal services)
St. Stephen’s CARE Center & Food Pantry: 1115 Mission Rd., San Antonio, TX 78210 | Phone: 210-533-3504 (Features a food pantry where clients can select their own items; also provides emergency assistance)
Core Assistance Programs
1. Emergency Financial Assistance and Housing Stability
Services: Emergency financial assistance (one-time payment) to help prevent homelessness, eviction, or the disconnection of utility services due to sudden crises, such as job loss or illness.
Housing Stability Program: Provides targeted rental assistance to eligible residents facing eviction or temporary financial hardship.
Note: Availability and criteria based on location (e.g., within city limits or in unincorporated areas of the county) may vary depending on current funding cycles.
Requirements: Generally, you are required to provide a formal eviction notice (or a notice to vacate the property) or a utility disconnection notice, along with proof of income and an official form of identification.
2. Food insecurity and SNAP benefits
Food pantries: Food is distributed through the St. Stephen’s CARE Center and via mobile distribution units.
SNAP assistance: Case managers help assess eligibility and guide individuals through the application process for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), TANF, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Healthy Texas Women (HTW) program. .
3. Services for military families and veterans
William N. Mullin Military Family Relief Program: Provides financial assistance, food, clothing, and counseling services to active-duty military personnel, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and their dependents in Bexar County. (Contact: 210-226-6178, ext. 205).
4. Immigration and legal services (Caritas Legal Services)
Location: Guadalupe Community Center (1801 W. César E. Chávez Blvd.)
Services: Low-cost or reduced-fee legal representation—recognized by the Department of Justice (DOJ)—for citizenship/naturalization processes, DACA, family-based petitions, asylum applications, and U/T visas. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
5. Additional support services
Grace Counseling: Low-cost or accessible mental health therapy for individuals, couples, and families. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance): Free tax return preparation during tax season for households with an annual income of less than $65,000; the service is offered at the Guadalupe Community Center.
Project Cool: Distribution of free fans during extreme summer heatwaves.
Seton Home: Transitional housing and support services for adolescent mothers—who are pregnant or have children—and their children.
Corazón Ministries
Corazón Ministries (operating as Corazón San Antonio) is a high-impact, low-barrier non-profit organization dedicated to serving individuals who are experiencing homelessness, are marginalized, or are in the process of recovery in downtown San Antonio. The organization serves as a vital day center, providing hot meals, clinical care, and specialized programs to foster stability.
Core Operations and Contact Information
Administrative Mailing Address: 126 Gonzales St. Ste. 200, San Antonio, TX 78205
Main Phone Line: 210-904-8001
Primary Focus: Low-barrier, non-proselytizing care that prioritizes immediate physical dignity, harm reduction, and access to medical services.
Key Program Locations and Hours of Operation
Corazón Day Center & Resource Hub: Located on the grounds of Grace Lutheran Church, this facility serves as a daytime respite center to address basic needs and provide emergency shelter during adverse weather conditions.
Address: 504 Ave E, San Antonio, TX 78215
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Daily Hot Meals: Served Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Public Showers: Available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Sundays, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Recovery of identification and vital documents: Walk-ins are accepted on Mondays starting at 8:30 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Case management: Walk-in assistance is available for housing stability and general case management, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Corazón Medical & Specialty Clinics: Located at Travis Park Church, these free clinics provide primary and specialty medical care to individuals who are uninsured or experiencing homelessness.
Address: 230 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Corazón Medical Clinic: Free primary care is available on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Travis Park Dermatology: Specialty dermatology clinics are available on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Church Partnerships and Regional Support
Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program (RACAP)
For residents of the northeastern suburbs of Bexar County (including Live Oak, Universal City, and Schertz—covering zip codes such as 78108, 78148, 78233, and 78247), the RACAP Rent & Utility Assistance program provides emergency funding supported by local partner churches. Applicants must complete a preliminary telephone assessment with the director before visiting the location in person.
San Antonio Compassion Food Network
More than a dozen local churches—including Last Chance Ministries, Summit Church, Northern Hills United Methodist, and Madison Hills Baptist—operate food pantries independently. Neighborhood-specific distribution schedules can be found directly through the San Antonio Compassion Food Pantry Guide.
Endeavors
Originally founded by five Presbyterian churches in San Antonio, the organization Endeavors provides support to veterans and vulnerable populations through rapid rehousing and disaster-related case management, all while adhering to a strict non-proselytizing policy.
