The Greenbelt Community Foundation is dedicated to “Nourishing All of Greenbelt’s Neighborhoods.” To this end, it is working to provide information to Greenbelt residents on organizations that provide financial or other assistance directly to individuals and families in need of the basic necessities such as paying bills, getting food, housing and clothing.
The Foundation is encouraging people who can financially weather this COVID-19 crisis to donate their federal stimulus checks to an organization that provides financial assistance to individuals and families.
https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/ (choose Maryland, then choose Prince George’s County) is one of the best places to find information on the many charities, churches and government assistance programs that provide financial help. There are specific programs in Prince George’s County for grants or loans to help pay rent or heating/utility bills. The State of Maryland provides information on many social services in a specific zip code on its website 211md.org, or people can call 211 with specific services requests.
The Greenbelt Assistance in Living (GAIL) program lists area organizations that may offer assistance for a variety of needs including rental, utility, furniture, clothing and household items. Assistance is provided based on the eligibility of applicants and organizations are limited in the amounts they may provide. Two organizations listed that specifically offer financial assistance are the Salvation Army Prince George’s County and United Communities Against Poverty.
The Salvation Army provides resources to help people satisfy the basic needs of life, housing and shelter to qualified candidates. Some of what can be provided by the social services and emergency assistance programs include clothing, food and financial assistance to pay rent or utilities and other critical necessities. It also provides several shelters and short-term housing. Contact the Salvation Army at 4825 Edmonston Road, Hyattsville, 301- 277-6103 or salvationarmynca.org/princegeorges/ .
United Communities Against Poverty is the Community Action Agency for Prince George’s County. United Communities Against Poverty, Inc., offers various services and they have created numerous programs to assist low- and moderate-income families with their bills. Some of what they offer includes: emergency food and shelter, mortgage/ rental/utility assistance, a free food pantry and resources that will stop an eviction or help homeless people find housing. People who apply and are qualified may be able to receive financial support for rent, funds to prevent eviction, grants for utility bills and help for paying a security deposit and first month’s rent. They can be contacted at 1400 Doewood Lane, Capitol Heights, 301-322-5700 or ucappgc.org.
GAIL provides a complete online Resource Guide with many other services available in Greenbelt on the city’s website, greenbeltmd.gov. Residents that need help with utility bills have options too. They can contact the Department of Social Services to apply for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). They are located at 425 Brightseat Road, Landover, and the phone number is 301-909-6300. The Community Ministry of Prince George’s County offers financial assistance for utility bills, free food, information and education programs to county residents. For example, they can refer people to Maryland pro bono mortgage programs. Contact cmpgc.com or call 301-499-2319 for more information.
St. Hugh of Grenoble’s Ladies of Charity stock the food pantry in Grenoble Hall and prepare food parcels for Greenbelters to pick up at the rectory at 135 Crescent Road. Citizens can purchase bags of food for the pantry at the Co-op Supermarket.
A national organization, Modest Needs, can make small emergency grants to low-income workers who are at risk of slipping into poverty and for whom no other source of immediate help is available. For more information go to modestneeds.org. For links to these organizations and other information, go to greenbeltfoundation.org.