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Savannah and Chatham County, Georgia — Local Help With Bills, Food, and Housing
Residents of Savannah, Garden City, Pooler, Port Wentworth, Tybee Island, and communities throughout Chatham County can access emergency financial assistance, food, shelter, utility help, free legal aid, and prescription assistance through a network of nonprofits, government programs, and faith-based organizations. This page covers independently verified resources organized by service type, with addresses and phone numbers.
The Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA) is Chatham County's federally designated community action agency, providing LIHEAP energy assistance, Head Start, housing services, and free tax preparation. Union Mission is Savannah's most comprehensive homeless services organization, operating multiple shelter programs from its Fahm Street campus. Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is the regional Feeding America food bank, supplying more than 240 partner agencies throughout the county.
Start Here — Find Help Fast
- Energy bills (LIHEAP), Head Start, housing, workforce, free tax prep, VITA: Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA) — (912) 238-2960
- Coordinating body for homeless services — street outreach, housing: Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless — (912) 813-4614
- Emergency food, shelter, utility & rent help, holiday programs: Salvation Army Savannah — (912) 651-7420 or Catholic Charities of South Georgia — (912) 233-1877
- Food pantry, utility assistance, childcare (Savannah): Wesley Community Centers — (912) 236-4226
- Free prescriptions for uninsured (chronic conditions): MedBank Foundation — (912) 356-2898
- Free legal aid — eviction, foreclosure, consumer debt (low-income): Georgia Legal Services — (912) 651-2180
- SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, childcare assistance: Chatham County DFCS — (912) 644-5956 or 1-877-423-4746
- Debt management, credit counseling, foreclosure prevention: Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Savannah — (912) 691-2227
- Don't know where to start? Dial 2-1-1 — United Way of the Coastal Empire operates this free, confidential referral line serving Chatham County on weekdays. You can also search resources online at https://uwce.org/
For additional local resources beyond what is listed on this page:
- More food options: The Chatham County food banks and pantries page lists additional pantries, soup kitchens, and food distribution programs throughout the county.
- More rent help: The Chatham County rent assistance page covers additional programs focused on eviction prevention, security deposits, and rental aid.
- More free items: The southeastern Georgia clothing, furniture, and school supplies page lists additional clothing banks, thrift stores, and furniture resources.
- More emergency shelter options: The southeast Georgia homeless shelters and transitional housing page covers additional residential programs in the region.
- Holiday assistance: The Chatham County holiday assistance page lists programs for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter meals, gifts, and toys.
- Church assistance: The Savannah churches emergency financial assistance page lists local congregations offering utility, food, and bill payment help.
Community Action & Government Programs
Economic Opportunity Authority for Savannah-Chatham County (EOA) Est. 1964
EOA is Chatham County's federally designated Community Action Agency, created in 1964 by joint resolution of the City of Savannah, Chatham County Commission, and the Board of Public Education. EOA administers multiple federally and locally funded programs from its West Anderson Street campus. All programs are open to income-qualifying residents of Savannah and Chatham County. Programs include:
- LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program): Federally funded utility bill assistance providing a one-time seasonal payment toward heating and cooling costs for qualifying low-income households. Priority is given to seniors, people with disabilities, and families with young children. Contact EOA early in each program cycle; funding is limited and exhausted quickly.
- Community Health Center: EOA operates an on-site primary health care clinic (formerly Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care) serving low-income and uninsured Chatham County residents. Services include primary care, preventive health, referrals, and health screenings. Contact EOA directly for current clinic hours and appointment availability.
- Head Start and Early Head Start: Federally funded early childhood education and comprehensive family support for qualifying low-income families with children from birth to age five. Multiple program sites serving Savannah and Chatham County.
- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance): Free federal and state tax preparation for income-qualifying individuals and families during tax season, provided by IRS-certified volunteer preparers.
- Homebuyer Education Program: HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling, financial literacy education, and first-time homebuyer classes to help residents move toward homeownership.
- Housing and Homeless Services: Case management, rental counseling, eviction prevention advice, and HUD-approved foreclosure prevention counseling. EOA can also provide referrals to emergency shelters and transitional housing programs throughout the county.
- Workforce Development and Education: Job training, GED preparation, and employment placement assistance for unemployed and underemployed Chatham County residents.
- Foster Grandparent Program / RSVP: Volunteer programs connecting senior volunteers with children and community organizations while providing a modest stipend and support for qualifying seniors.
- Representative Payee Program: Financial management services for seniors and adults with disabilities who need assistance managing government benefit payments.
Contact: (912) 238-2960 | 618 W. Anderson Street, Savannah, GA 31415. https://www.eoasga.org/
Chatham County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS)
Georgia DFCS administers state and federal benefit programs for qualifying Chatham County residents. Programs include SNAP (food stamps/EBT), Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids health coverage, and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance. They also arrange childcare assistance and child protective services. Applications can be submitted online at gateway.ga.gov or in person at the Chatham County office. Contact: (912) 644-5956 or 1-877-423-4746 | 761 Wheaton Street, Savannah, GA 31401. https://dfcs.georgia.gov/
Emergency Financial Assistance
The organizations below provide the broadest direct emergency assistance for Chatham County residents facing rent, utility, food, or other immediate crises.
The Salvation Army — Savannah Corps Est. 1865
The Salvation Army's Savannah Corps serves individuals and families in Chatham County regardless of background or faith. Emergency assistance is available by appointment only for most financial programs; the food pantry is walk-in. Programs include:
- Project Share: Emergency financial assistance with electric, gas, water, and rent bills for qualifying households. Assistance is by appointment only; call to confirm current availability and required documentation.
- Emergency food pantry: Free groceries available on a walk-in basis. Call ahead to confirm current pantry schedule.
Clothing and household goods: Low-cost new and gently used clothing and household items available through the Salvation Army Family Store.
- Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing: Help with rent, utility deposits, and move-in costs to prevent or quickly end homelessness for qualifying households.
- Holiday assistance: Free food baskets, holiday meals, and toys for children in qualifying families at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Angel Tree gift program for children of qualifying families.
- Disaster relief: Emergency assistance for Chatham County residents affected by hurricanes or other natural disasters.
Contact: (912) 651-7420 | 3000 Bee Road, Savannah, GA 31405. https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/savannah/
Catholic Charities of South Georgia Est. 1965
Catholic Charities of South Georgia (formerly the Social Apostolate of Savannah) serves all residents regardless of faith from its downtown Savannah location. The Crisis Intervention Program has been a direct-service refuge for homeless and near-homeless individuals for decades. Programs include:
- Emergency food pantry: Free groceries distributed on weekday mornings. No appointment needed for food assistance.
- Emergency crisis assistance: Clothing vouchers, school uniform vouchers, emergency baby supplies, hygiene items, and referrals to other community resources for individuals facing a housing or financial crisis.
- Birth certificates and Georgia IDs: Assistance obtaining essential identification documents for Chatham, Bryan, and Effingham County residents, which is often required to access housing, employment, and other services.
- Employment assistance: Help with Georgia ID cards, computer lab and printing access, work clothing, and transportation assistance for people seeking employment.
- Health assistance: On-site nurse's clinic, medical device loans, transportation to medical appointments, and periodic eye clinics for low-income residents.
- Emergency prescription assistance: Limited help obtaining emergency medications (note: does not include pain medications, narcotics, mental health drugs, or contraceptives).
- Immigration assistance: Catholic Charities is a vetted immigration legal services provider. Residents should contact them directly and be aware that phone or text scammers may claim to be Catholic Charities — the organization will never ask for payment via Zelle or digital payment apps.
Contact: (912) 233-1877 | 502 E. Liberty Street, Savannah, GA 31401. https://ccsoga.org/
Wesley Community Centers of Savannah Est. 1949
Wesley Community Centers has served women, children, and families in the Savannah area as a United Way partner agency and nationally accredited nonprofit. The Crisis Intervention Program at the Wesley Family Life Center provides direct emergency assistance to individuals facing housing or utility crises. Services include:
- Utility assistance: Emergency help paying utility bills for single women, families, elderly, and disabled residents facing disconnection. Case managers conduct in-depth assessments and provide financial literacy guidance alongside direct assistance.
- Emergency food assistance: Supplemental groceries and food boxes for qualifying households.
- Limited rental assistance: Emergency rent help for qualifying households in crisis, based on available funding.
- Childcare: Quality early childcare for low-income families, including homeless children and children in the child protective services system. Fees are based on ability to pay; subsidies accepted.
- Summer Youth Arts Camp: Summer enrichment programming for school-age children.
- Family advocacy: A family advocate on staff helps clients navigate community resources, apply for benefits, and develop a plan to move out of crisis.
Contact: (912) 236-4226 | 1601 Drayton Street, Savannah, GA 31401. https://www.wesleysav.org/
Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Savannah
St. Vincent de Paul operates through parish-based conferences throughout Chatham County, serving all residents regardless of faith. Case managers conduct home visits to assess needs and determine assistance. Help may include emergency rent and utility payments (made directly to vendors), food, clothing, and referrals to medical care. Contact the nearest SVdP conference or read more on the NHPB sub-page: SVdP Savannah programs and contacts.
United Way of the Coastal Empire — 2-1-1 & Emergency Fund
United Way of the Coastal Empire operates the 2-1-1 information and referral line serving Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, and Long Counties. Specialists connect callers with local food, utility, housing, healthcare, childcare, and other resources. Beyond referrals, United Way also maintains limited emergency funding for individuals and households in verified crisis. Walk-in service is no longer offered; residents should call 2-1-1 during weekday operating hours or visit uwce.org to search the resource database at any time. Contact: (912) 651-7700 or dial 2-1-1 | 428 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401. https://uwce.org/
Family Promise of the Coastal Empire
Family Promise of the Coastal Empire addresses homelessness holistically for families with children — providing prevention services before families reach crisis, shelter and case management during homelessness, and stabilization support afterward. The organization works with a network of host congregations throughout the county. Programs include:
- Emergency family shelter: Families spend evenings and nights at rotating host congregations, with meals and supportive programming provided by volunteers. Families share a private room during their stay.
- Day Center: Families have access to a daytime home base with an address, phone access, computers, showers, laundry, a playroom for children, and case management during the day.
- Homelessness prevention services: Case management and financial assistance for families at immediate risk of losing housing before they reach a crisis point.
- Stabilization services: Post-shelter support helping families maintain stable housing and build long-term self-sufficiency.
Serves Chatham, Effingham, and Bryan Counties. Contact: Chatham County (912) 790-9446. Contact: (912) 790-9446 | 126 Horizon Park Drive, Savannah, GA 31405. https://www.familypromisece.org/
Union Mission Est. 1937
Union Mission has served the Savannah homeless community since 1937, growing from a small soup kitchen to a multi-facility organization offering emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, behavioral health services, and employment support from its Fahm Street campus. All programs are free. Programs include:
- Parker's House: Emergency and transitional shelter program for men experiencing homelessness. Case management, counseling, employment services, and supportive programming help residents work toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
- Grace House and Day Center: The Day Center at Grace House (120 Fahm Street) provides daytime basic needs services — including showers, laundry access, a clothing closet, mail service, and resource referrals — to anyone experiencing homelessness. Open on weekday mornings and Saturday mornings; call for current schedule.
- Magdalene House: Emergency shelter for women and for women with children who are experiencing homelessness. Provides case management and supportive services during shelter stay and a path toward permanent housing.
- Resource Center: A new expanded Resource Center opened in spring 2026 at the Fahm Street campus, offering broader access to supportive services for clients and the community.
- Permanent Supportive Housing: Long-term housing paired with supportive services for chronically homeless individuals, including those with HIV/AIDS (Phoenix Project) and those with special needs.
- Mental Health Counseling: Behavioral health services and counseling for residents in Union Mission programs.
- Employment and Training: Work readiness, life skills, culinary training, and employment placement support for program participants.
Contact: (912) 238-2777 | 120 Fahm Street, Savannah, GA 31401. https://www.unionmission.org/
Savannah Baptist Center, Inc.
The church offers some or all of the following. Free food, clothes for work or school needs, or Christmas assistance. There are also referrals, free haircuts, access to laundry, and advice. They can also refer people to low cost food and groceries from pantries. Contact: 704 Wheaton St, Savannah, GA 31401. Phone: (912) 232-1033
Food Assistance
The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Wesley Community Centers also operate food programs — see their entries above.
Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia Est. 1981
Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia (formerly America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia) is the Feeding America-affiliated food bank serving Chatham County and 20 surrounding counties in southeastern Georgia since 1981. Second Harvest does not distribute directly to individuals from its warehouse; it partners with more than 240 nonprofit agencies throughout the region. Programs include:
- Partner pantry network: Second Harvest supplies food to more than 240 partner agencies — churches, community pantries, soup kitchens, and social service programs. Use the food finder at helpendhunger.org to locate the nearest pantry by zip code.
- Mobile Food Pantry: Free produce, protein, and shelf-stable groceries distributed at rotating community locations throughout Chatham County, serving more than 62,000 community members annually. No income documentation required at most sites.
- Brown Bag for the Elderly: Monthly food boxes of shelf-stable groceries delivered to qualifying low-income seniors at designated pickup sites throughout the county.
- Kids Cafe: After-school meal program providing free snacks and meals to children at partner sites.
- MoGro Mobile Grocery Store: A mobile grocery unit offering fresh produce, proteins, and other foods at subsidized prices to residents in food-insecure areas.
- School Pantry Program: Discreet food pantries embedded within school campuses to support food-insecure students and their families.
Contact: (912) 236-6750 | 1380 Chatham Parkway, Savannah, GA 31405. https://helpendhunger.org/
Free Medical Care & Prescription Assistance
EOA Community Health Center
EOA's Community Health Center provides primary health care services to low-income and uninsured Chatham County residents. Services include primary care, preventive health, referrals, and health screenings. The center partners with EOA programs to provide integrated support to low-income families. Contact EOA at (912) 238-2960 for current clinic hours and availability. Address: 618 W. Anderson Street, Savannah, GA 31415. Read more: Chatham County free and low-cost health clinics.
Free Legal Aid & Debt Counseling
Georgia Legal Services Program — Savannah Office
Georgia Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income and qualifying individuals throughout Chatham County and the surrounding region. The Savannah office covers multiple southeastern Georgia counties. Services focus on housing stability — including eviction defense, foreclosure prevention, and illegal housing conditions — but also extend to consumer debt, scam protection, public benefits access, and other civil legal matters. Statewide intake: 1-800-498-9469. Savannah office: (912) 651-2180 | 6602 Abercorn Street, Suite 203, Savannah, GA 31405. https://www.georgialegalaid.org/
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Savannah (CCCS) Est. 1965
CCCS of Savannah is the only locally based nonprofit credit counseling agency in the Savannah area, providing certified financial counselors to Chatham County residents since 1965. All counselors are certified and services are free or offered at low cost regardless of ability to pay. Services include:
- Debt Management Plans (DMP): A structured repayment program negotiated with creditors to reduce interest rates and consolidate monthly payments for credit card and unsecured debt.
- Credit counseling and report review: Free one-on-one review of credit reports with a certified counselor. Clients leave with a concrete plan to improve their credit score.
- Foreclosure prevention counseling: HUD-approved housing counselors work directly with homeowners facing mortgage delinquency or foreclosure to explore loan modification and refinancing options.
- First-time homebuyer education: Pre-purchase counseling and classes for residents preparing to buy their first home.
Bankruptcy counseling: Required pre-bankruptcy counseling and debtor education certificates.
Contact: (912) 691-2227 | 7505 Waters Avenue, Suite C-11, Savannah, GA 31406. https://www.cccsofsavannah.org/
Military Family Assistance
Army Community Services — Hunter Army Airfield
Army Community Services at Hunter Army Airfield provides a broad range of support services to military members and their families stationed in the Savannah area. Services include financial assistance grants for utility bills, rent, medical and dental bills, and security deposits; employment and career counseling; relocation assistance and moving expense help; budget planning; and community information and referral. Active duty military, reserves, and dependents are eligible for many programs. Call ahead to confirm current program availability and eligibility requirements, as access to the installation requires appropriate military identification. Contact: (912) 315-6816 | 171 Haley Avenue, Savannah, GA 31409.
Disclaimer: NeedHelpPayingBills.com makes every reasonable effort to verify agency names, addresses, phone numbers, and active programs at the time of publication. Program availability, eligibility, hours, and funding change frequently. Always call before visiting to confirm current services and availability. This page was last independently verified and updated in April 2026. NeedHelpPayingBills.com is not affiliated with any organization listed and does not administer any assistance programs. Why you can trust NeedHelpPayingBills.com.
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