If you or someone you know is facing financial hardship, housing instability, or food insecurity in Nashville and Davidson County, several local churches and faith-based ministries offer essential assistance programs. These programs often provide emergency funds for rent, mortgage, and utility payments, alongside food pantries and case management services.
Since funding varies and availability often depends on your zip code or the documentation you have, it is always recommended to call or check online before visiting in person.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Nashville manages a wide range of assistance programs designed to offer immediate crisis relief as well as long-term support to help Middle Tennessee residents achieve self-sufficiency.
Locations and Channels
Catholic Charities Intake Center and Portal:
The fastest way to request assistance with rent, utilities, or food is by calling the central intake line or applying directly through their digital assistance system.
(615) 352-3087
Catholic Charities at C. E. McGruder:
A major resource center in North Nashville offering financial counseling, emergency housing and utility assistance, a food pantry, and employment services.
Address: 2013 25th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
Website / Office Details: McGruder Family Resource Center
Catholic Charities at Casa Azafrán:
Serves the South Nashville community with a strong focus on services for immigrants and refugees, as well as case management for emergency financial assistance. Address: 2195 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Website / Office Details: Casa Azafrán location profile
How to request assistance
To access financial or material assistance programs, you must start an application through their central intake team:
Online: Submit a digital application form via the Catholic Charities assistance portal (Get Help Portal).
By phone: Call the main service line at (615) 352-3087, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The Salvation Army – Nashville Command
The Salvation Army – Nashville Area Command serves as a vital network of emergency resources for individuals and families facing financial crises, housing instability, or homelessness in Nashville and Davidson County.
Its headquarters, which houses administrative offices and social services, is located at 611 Stockell Street, Nashville, TN 37207.
Assistance programs offered
Emergency financial assistance (Family Services): Provides crisis funds to help low-income households pay overdue utility bills (such as electricity, gas, and water) and cover rent or mortgage payments during emergencies to prevent eviction. Assistance is subject to current funding cycles and generally requires an appointment.
Housing and emergency shelters: Manages specific supportive housing programs and emergency shelters. This includes transitional housing options, rapid re-housing services, and the Magness Potter Community Center, which offers safe shelter, hot meals, and hygiene resources to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Food assistance and pantries: Distributes emergency food boxes to households experiencing sudden food insecurity. It also organizes community meal programs for those with immediate needs.
Disaster relief services: Acts as a first responder to local emergencies (such as floods, tornadoes, or fires) by deploying mobile feeding units, providing emergency financial grants, and offering emotional and spiritual support to affected neighborhoods.
“Angel Tree” program and seasonal programs: Manages the annual “Angel Tree” program, which provides new clothing and Christmas gifts to thousands of local children and seniors who otherwise would not receive anything during the holidays.
How to Contact and Request Services
Main Phone Line: Call (615) 242-0411 to check the status of current funding cycles, inquire about shelter availability, or request an appointment for social services.
What to Prepare: If you are seeking assistance with rent or utilities, you will generally need to provide a current government-issued photo ID, proof of residency in Davidson County (such as a lease agreement), proof of household income, and an official past-due notice or eviction letter from the utility company or landlord.
Ladies of Charity Nashville
Ladies of Charity Nashville is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization that provides emergency and welfare assistance to low-income individuals and families in Nashville and Davidson County. The organization funds its emergency relief efforts primarily through donations and seasonal sales at its thrift store in the Midtown complex.
Office and Emergency Assistance Services
While the thrift and consignment shop is located at 2216 State Street, all social services, intake processes, and material aid programs are managed directly from the adjacent building:
Emergency Assistance Office (EAO) Address: 2212 State Street, Nashville, TN 37203
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Direct Assistance Phone: (615) 327-3430
The office offers several distinct categories of local assistance to meet basic needs:
Utility bill assistance: Provides micro-grants specifically for paying overdue water and natural gas bills. Funds are reserved for Davidson County households that have experienced service disconnection or have received imminent shut-off notices. Please note that structural late fees and service deposits are generally not covered.
Rental assistance: Housing support is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Rental aid is typically directed at low-income tenants living in specific subsidized properties, such as those accepting HUD vouchers or “Section 8” housing.
Monthly food boxes: Emergency household food boxes are distributed, containing enough non-perishable items to prepare up to 36 complete meals. Walk-ins may also receive a basic snack bag or a cold drink during the office’s regular business hours.
Clothing program: Gently used everyday clothing is distributed to adults and families experiencing personal crises or financial hardship.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (St. Ann and North Nashville)
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates throughout Nashville via local church-affiliated volunteer groups known as “conferences.” Rather than functioning as a large-scale centralized agency, each conference operates out of a specific parish and provides funding for basic needs primarily to residents of its immediate neighborhood or surrounding zip codes.
The St. Ann and North Nashville locations are two of the most active conferences providing direct emergency assistance within Davidson County.
North Nashville Conference (St. Vincent de Paul Parish)
Operating directly out of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, this conference focuses exclusively on assisting low-income neighbors residing in North Nashville zip codes.
Geographic service area: Limited to residents of zip codes 37207, 37208, and 37218.
Emergency financial assistance: Offers personalized assistance to cover past-due rent, mortgage payments, and essential utilities (electricity, water, gas). They can also provide micro-assistance, such as city bus passes, to facilitate transportation to work.
Food boxes: Food boxes are distributed to the community every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from the church basement. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is required to pick up food.
Contact: Call the outreach ministry hotline at (615) 320-3223 or email stvincentoutreach@gmail.com. If requesting financial assistance, please be prepared to present valid photo ID, verifiable proof of income, and a copy of the outstanding utility bill or rent statement.
Location: St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1700 Heiman Street, Nashville, TN 37208.
West Nashville Conference (St. Ann Catholic Church)
The St. Ann conference works with West Nashville neighbors, emphasizing relationship-based charity and immediate crisis resolution.
Geographic service area: Primarily serves neighborhoods near West Nashville and Charlotte Avenue. Core assistance programs: Offers financial support for past-due rent and critical utility bills to prevent eviction or service disconnection. Assistance is also provided for basic daily needs, such as food, baby supplies (diapers/formula), everyday clothing, and gas vouchers for emergency transportation.
Home visit model: True to the Vincentian tradition, St. Ann volunteers often conduct compassionate home visits with neighbors in crisis to better understand their budgetary constraints and connect them with broader community resources.
Contact: Reach out directly via the St. Ann Parish SVDP intake portal or call the main church office at (615) 298-1782 to speak with the Vincentian volunteer on duty.
Location: St. Ann Catholic Church, 5101 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209.
West End United Methodist Church
West End United Methodist Church is a prominent faith community in downtown Nashville that offers structured crisis intervention and financial support to individuals and families residing in Davidson County.
The historic church complex is located directly across from Vanderbilt University at 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203.
Because the demand for emergency funds for rent and utilities far exceeds the available budget, West End UMC employs a strict telephone queue system.
How to contact: You must call or text the dedicated assistance line (the “Benevolence Line”) directly at (615) 434-4550.
Scheduling rule: The voicemail system is activated on only one designated day per month, exactly at 12:00 PM (noon). If you call early or attempt to leave a message outside the established hours, your request will not be reviewed.
Review process: Voicemails are logged chronologically. A pastor reviews the messages—starting with the first one received at noon—until the monthly budget is completely exhausted.
Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church
Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church is a vital faith community in North Nashville, led by Pastor Nicoris N. Black. Rather than managing traditional telephone-based voucher systems, the church actively works to remove barriers to accessing aid by collaborating directly with municipal agencies to bring resource counselors right into the neighborhood.
Key community and assistance programs
- Seasonal and crisis relief campaigns: In partnership with regional entities such as the Second Harvest Food Bank, the church coordinates major emergency relief events during systemic crises, such as large-scale food distribution drives and winter coat giveaways for children.
- “Community Connect” Program (Hope and Help): In direct partnership with Metro Social Services (MSS), Greater St. John serves as a local hub for comprehensive care and community outreach. On the third Tuesday of every month, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., municipal social workers assist the public directly at the church facilities. Residents can walk in without an appointment to speak personally with a case manager about coping with rising housing costs, applying for county programs, or obtaining referrals for health and employment services.
Emergency Food Box Distribution: During the monthly “Community Connect” events, the church distributes up to 200 free food boxes to attending families—on a first-come, first-served basis—to help alleviate immediate food needs.
Food Delivery for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities: Through coordinated community initiatives, the church organizes direct food box deliveries to local seniors and individuals with disabilities who are unable to travel to food distribution centers. Residents can arrange deliveries prior to the scheduled distribution dates by calling the delivery hotline at (615) 880-1606.
Church of the Advent Episcopal
Church of the Advent Episcopal is a historic congregation founded in 1857, located in southern Davidson County near the Brentwood border. The parish provides essential community assistance, focusing on emergency financial grants and hunger relief.
How to Request Financial or Food Assistance
For rent and utility assistance: To begin an initial financial assistance assessment, the church asks interested individuals to contact them via their dedicated community outreach email. You can check fund availability or access bilingual services (English and Spanish) by emailing advent@adventnashville.org.
For food assistance: The “Body and Soul Pantry” coordinates food distribution and handles inquiries through its program coordinator. To check hours or get details on emergency food pickup, you can email nashvillebmwlady@icloud.com.
Christ Church Nashville
Located in South Nashville, Christ Church Nashville views financial assistance as a gateway to holistic spiritual and practical guidance. They evaluate acute, local household emergencies on a case-by-case basis.
Call the church’s main office at (615) 834-6171 to request an assistance assessment. If an appointment is scheduled, you must bring all physical documentation relevant to your request (including overdue bills, eviction notices, or proof of a job offer).
Location: 15354 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37211.
Schrader Lane Church of Christ
Located in the Bordeaux/North Nashville area, Schrader Lane Church of Christ operates local assistance programs focused on basic neighborhood needs, utility payment assistance, and financial training.
Requests for utility or material assistance cannot be processed over the phone. You must complete an intake form in person at the church facility between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (noon), Monday through Wednesday. Call the front desk at (615) 329-0950 to check the current status of the programs.
Location: 1234 Schrader Lane, Nashville, TN 37208.
Additional Resources from Non-profits and the Metropolitan Government
If church-specific funds are exhausted, you may consider these key county-level options:
Metro Action Commission (MAC): Serves as the community action agency for Davidson County. They manage significant federal and local funds for emergency housing, utility, and energy bill assistance (including the LIHEAP program). Applications can be processed online or in person via the Nashville Metro Action Commission portal.
NeedLink Nashville: A prominent community-based non-profit organization that collaborates closely with local faith-based networks to provide rapid financial assistance for rent, utility bills, and prescription medications.
Tennessee 2-1-1: If you need immediate local guidance or want to know which organizations currently have funds available in your specific neighborhood, dial 2-1-1 or visit the 211 Tennessee website.
