Government Assistance
MI Bridges
Call (855) 275-6424
Web newmibridges.michigan.gov
Apply for all government assistance through MI Bridges, from healthcare coverage, to childcare, and cash assistance. MI Bridges has a brand new online portal which makes it easy to manage your case, view your benefits, letters from MDHHS, and renewals online.
WIC
Call 211 to find your nearest WIC office
Web michigan.gov/mdhhs
WIC is a food program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). It’s a federally-funded program that serves low and moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.
Utility Bills
Consumers Energy
Call (800) 477-5050
Web consumersenergy.com/residential/programs-and-services/payment-assistance
Consumers Energy offers options for low-income assistance. They also offer a list of non-profit agencies that can help. Please see their website for more details.
DTE
Call (800) 477-4747
Web newlook.dteenergy.com/wps/wcm/connect/dte-web/home/billing-and-payments/common/energy-assistance/low-income-programs
DTE works with government agencies and community organizations to bring energy and payment assistance to low-income residents. If you are behind on your energy bill, call DTE before your service is subject to shutoff. They will work with you to set up a payment plan or advise you of assistance agencies in your area.
emPower
Call (231) 355-5880
Email [email protected]
Web tnempower.org
True North's emPower heat and energy program assists people who are struggling to afford their utility bills in Michigan. EmPower also offers a Self-Sufficiency program, which includes: heat and energy assistance GED classes and other education programs, career counseling and job search help, child care and transportation, and financial planning classes.
Michigan 2-1-1
Michigan 2-1-1 connects people with information and local agencies for material assistance.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - DHS
Call (855) 275-6424
Web michigan.gov/mdhhs
The DHS offers temporary heat and utility assistance for eligible low-income families and individuals when heating or electric service has been or will be shut off. Apply online through MI Bridges.
St. Vincent de Paul
Call (313) 393-2930
Web svdpdet.org/need-help/energy-assistance
St. Vincent de Paul offers energy assistance to income eligible households who may be in danger of having their electric and heating utilities disconnected or who are unable to pay their energy bills. St. Vincent de Paul has 23 local conferences. To get assistance, call the number above, dial 5, and leave a message. Your local conference will contact you directly regarding your request for assistance.
Salvation Army
Map 3000 Conner Ave., Detroit, MI
Call (855) 929-1640
Web sawmni.org/wmni/energy-assistance
The Salvation Army offers energy bill payment assistance, case management, and temporary crisis support for those on energy subsidy programs, or an affordable payment plan.
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
Call (313) 388-9799
Web waynemetro.org/connect/#energy-utility
Their Home Energy Supports program can provide assistance in paying past-due utility bills including electricity and gas (or other deliverable fuels such as home heating oil). They also have a weatherization program to install in-wall and attic insulation, and eliminate open air gaps throughout the home.
Soup Kitchens & Pantries
All Saints Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry
Map 7824 W Fort St., Detroit, MI
Call (855) 882-2736
Web ccsem.org/allsaints
Catholic Charities of West Michigan operates All Saints, a volunteer-based kitchen and food pantry. Hot meals include a meat entrée, vegetable, salad, bread, fruit, dessert, and beverages. The All Saints food pantry is open twice a week, and provides groceries for families in southwest Detroit.
Capuchin Services Center
Map 6333 Medbury St., Detroit, MI
Call (313) 925-1370
Web cskdetroit.org/programs/services_center
The Capuchin Services Center's food pantry looks like a small grocery store, complete with reach-in freezers and coolers, vegetable and fruit islands, bread and pastry racks. Each family is granted a designated amount of non-perishable food items and meat. Families can have as much as they want of the following: fresh vegetables, dairy items, bread and other perishable foods. Please bring a picture ID.
Capuchin Soup Kitchen
Map 4390 Conner St., Detroit, MI
Call (313) 822-8606
Web cskdetroit.org/programs/meal_program/conner
Capuchin ministries has two full-service soup kitchens. The Conner Kitchen serves working families and seniors. As many as one-third of its meals are served to children 12 and under. They serve lunch and dinner: a nourishing meal awaits children after school and adults after work.
Deo Gratias Ministries Detroit
Map 15879 E Seven Mile Detroit, MI 48025
Call (313) 743-0477
Web dgmdetroit.org
Deo Gratias Ministries Detroit is a cafe and community center that provides a welcoming and safe environment. In addition to the cafe, Deo Gratias hosts a library and various social activities such as their art program. The ministry also provides small household goods to those requiring material assistance.
Gleaners - My Neighborhood Mobile Grocery
Map 2131 Beaufait St., Detroit, MI
Call (313) 571-0303
Web gcfb.org/mnmg
Gleaners offers a range of nutritious food items at affordable prices—from milk, eggs, cheese, and fresh produce, to canned and dry goods, frozen meats, and gourmet soups—My Neighborhood Mobile Grocery is a weekly pop-up market bringing quality, affordable food to communities across Metro Detroit. See their website for a complete list of items, times, and locations.
Manna Community Meal
Map 1950 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, MI
Call (313) 843-3613
Web stpetersdetroit.com/ministries/mannacommunitymeal
Manna Community Meal is committed to serving the Corktown community in Detroit by providing free hot meals five days a week. It is located on the lower level of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Salvation Army - Bread & Bed Club
Call (313) 361-6136
Web centralusa.salvationarmy.org/emi
The Salvation Army Bed & Bread Club is dedicated to feeding the hungry residents of Detroit who are unable to make it to a soup kitchen. Each day, no matter the weather, truck drivers make their way through all of Detroit, traveling multiple routes to make over 60 stops to feed the hungry.
Diapers & Baby Items
Metropolitan Detroit Diaper Bank
Web detroitdiaperbank.com/diapers
The Metropolitan Detroit Diaper Bank distributes free diapers monthly. To register, click the link and fill out the form. You are eligible to seek assistance for a child under the age of 3 and must complete the form each month.
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
Call (313) 388-9799
Web waynemetro.org/engage/#healthy-baby-resources
Wayne Metro’s Healthy Baby Resources provide Wayne County’s new and expectant mothers with resources, education, safety seats, supplies, and services to support happy, healthy families and children. They have a Community Diaper Bank offering free diapers and diaper changing supplies, and host two annual Community Baby Showers for over 300 families.
Thrift Stores
St. Vincent de Paul
Web svdpdet.org/thrift-stores/locations
St. Vincent de Paul operates two thrift stores that offer low cost items including clothes, furniture, household items, toys, and more.
Van Elslander Center
Map 3000 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI
Call (313) 393-2870
West
Map 15725 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI
Call (313) 836-2878
Salvation Army
Web semichigan.satruck.org/semichiganarc/store_policies
The Salvation Army operates three family stores in Detroit that offer low cost items including clothes, furniture, household items, toys, and more.
Fort St.
Map 1200 W. Fort St., Detroit, MI
Call (313) 964-3639
Vernor
Map 5858 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit, MI
Call (313) 436-1256
8 Mile Rd.
Map 5600 E Eight Mile Rd., Detroit, MI
Call (313) 366-9643
Government Assistance
MI Bridges
Apply for all government assistance through MI Bridges, from healthcare coverage, to childcare, and cash assistance. MI Bridges has a brand new online portal which makes it easy to manage your case, view your benefits, letters from MDHHS, and renewals online.
WIC
WIC is a food program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). It’s a federally-funded program that serves low and moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.
Utility Bills
Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy offers options for low-income assistance. They also offer a list of non-profit agencies that can help. Please see their website for more details.
DTE
DTE works with government agencies and community organizations to bring energy and payment assistance to low-income residents. If you are behind on your energy bill, call DTE before your service is subject to shutoff. They will work with you to set up a payment plan or advise you of assistance agencies in your area.
emPower
True North's emPower heat and energy program assists people who are struggling to afford their utility bills in Michigan. EmPower also offers a Self-Sufficiency program, which includes: heat and energy assistance GED classes and other education programs, career counseling and job search help, child care and transportation, and financial planning classes.
Michigan 2-1-1
Michigan 2-1-1 connects people with information and local agencies for material assistance.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - DHS
The DHS offers temporary heat and utility assistance for eligible low-income families and individuals when heating or electric service has been or will be shut off. Apply online through MI Bridges.
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul offers energy assistance to income eligible households who may be in danger of having their electric and heating utilities disconnected or who are unable to pay their energy bills. St. Vincent de Paul has 23 local conferences. To get assistance, call the number above, dial 5, and leave a message. Your local conference will contact you directly regarding your request for assistance.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army offers energy bill payment assistance, case management, and temporary crisis support for those on energy subsidy programs, or an affordable payment plan.
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
Their Home Energy Supports program can provide assistance in paying past-due utility bills including electricity and gas (or other deliverable fuels such as home heating oil). They also have a weatherization program to install in-wall and attic insulation, and eliminate open air gaps throughout the home.
Soup Kitchens & Pantries
All Saints Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry
Catholic Charities of West Michigan operates All Saints, a volunteer-based kitchen and food pantry. Hot meals include a meat entrée, vegetable, salad, bread, fruit, dessert, and beverages. The All Saints food pantry is open twice a week, and provides groceries for families in southwest Detroit.
Capuchin Services Center
The Capuchin Services Center's food pantry looks like a small grocery store, complete with reach-in freezers and coolers, vegetable and fruit islands, bread and pastry racks. Each family is granted a designated amount of non-perishable food items and meat. Families can have as much as they want of the following: fresh vegetables, dairy items, bread and other perishable foods. Please bring a picture ID.
Capuchin Soup Kitchen
Capuchin ministries has two full-service soup kitchens. The Conner Kitchen serves working families and seniors. As many as one-third of its meals are served to children 12 and under. They serve lunch and dinner: a nourishing meal awaits children after school and adults after work.
Deo Gratias Ministries Detroit
Deo Gratias Ministries Detroit is a cafe and community center that provides a welcoming and safe environment. In addition to the cafe, Deo Gratias hosts a library and various social activities such as their art program. The ministry also provides small household goods to those requiring material assistance.
Gleaners - My Neighborhood Mobile Grocery
Gleaners offers a range of nutritious food items at affordable prices: from milk, eggs, cheese, and fresh produce, to canned and dry goods, frozen meats, and gourmet soups. My Neighborhood Mobile Grocery is a weekly pop-up market bringing quality, affordable food to communities across Metro Detroit. See their website for a complete list of items, times, and locations.
Manna Community Meal
Manna Community Meal is committed to serving the Corktown community in Detroit by providing free hot meals five days a week. It is located on the lower level of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Salvation Army - Bread & Bed Club
The Salvation Army Bed & Bread Club is dedicated to feeding the hungry residents of Detroit who are unable to make it to a soup kitchen. Each day, no matter the weather, truck drivers make their way through all of Detroit, traveling multiple routes to make over 60 stops to feed the hungry.
Diapers & Baby Items
Metropolitan Detroit Diaper Bank
The Metropolitan Detroit Diaper Bank distributes free diapers monthly. To register, click the link and fill out the form. You are eligible to seek assistance for a child under the age of 3 and must complete the form each month.
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
Wayne Metro’s Healthy Baby Resources provide Wayne County’s new and expectant mothers with resources, education, safety seats, supplies, and services to support happy, healthy families and children. They have a Community Diaper Bank offering free diapers and diaper changing supplies, and host two annual Community Baby Showers for over 300 families.
More pregnancy-related material support here ▸
Thrift Stores
St. Vincent de Paul - Van Elslander Center
3000 Gratiot Ave.・Map
St. Vincent de Paul operates two thrift stores that offer low cost items including clothes, furniture, household items, toys, and more.
St. Vincent de Paul - West
15725 Grand River Ave.・Map
St. Vincent de Paul operates two thrift stores that offer low cost items including clothes, furniture, household items, toys, and more.
Salvation Army - Fort St.
1200 W. Fort St.・Map
The Salvation Army operates three family stores in Detroit that offer low cost items including clothes, furniture, household items, toys, and more.
Salvation Army - Vernor
5858 W. Vernor Hwy.・Map
The Salvation Army operates three family stores in Detroit that offer low cost items including clothes, furniture, household items, toys, and more.
Salvation Army - 8 Mile Rd.
5600 E Eight Mile Rd.・Map
The Salvation Army operates three family stores in Detroit that offer low cost items including clothes, furniture, household items, toys, and more.