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Assistance Programs in Isabella County and Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Isabella County residents facing financial hardship can turn to a focused but capable network of nonprofits, government programs, and faith-based organizations serving Mount Pleasant and the surrounding communities. The organizations are listed below. Programs cover emergency financial aid, utility and heating assistance, homeless shelter, free meals, food pantries, senior services, and basic needs for families in crisis.
EightCAP, Inc. is the county's community action agency and handles the broadest range of assistance needs — rent, utilities, housing, and referrals to government programs. Listening Ear Crisis Center operates the county's 24-hour hotline and its own emergency assistance fund. The Isabella County Department of Health and Human Services administers SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF.
Start Here — Find Help Fast
- Crisis line & emergency assistance (LEAF): Listening Ear Crisis Center — (989) 772-2918 (24/7)
- Community action agency (rent, utilities, housing): EightCAP, Inc. Isabella County — (616) 236-1027
- SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, state benefits: Isabella County MDHHS — (989) 772-8400
- Utility & heating bill help (LIHEAP): EightCAP, Inc. — (616) 236-1027
- Emergency shelter: Isabella County Restoration House — (989) 400-4126
- Salvation Army (food, utility, rent help): (989) 773-4663
- Free meals (weekdays): Isabella Community Soup Kitchen — (989) 772-7392. Call 1st for hours.
- Food pantry (Isabella County residents): Community Compassion Network — (989) 863-4449
- Seniors (60+) — meals, in-home care, case management: Commission on Aging — (989) 772-0748
- Don't know where to start? Dial 2-1-1 — free, available around the clock
Emergency Assistance & Broad Crisis Services
Start here if you are facing an immediate crisis with rent, utilities, food, or housing.
Listening Ear Crisis Center
Listening Ear has been a cornerstone of Isabella County's social safety net since 1969. Its 24-hour crisis hotline is available every day of the year. Trained professionals help callers explore options, identify resources across more than 400 local programs, and navigate the path toward stability. All calls are confidential. Contact information is Crisis line (24/7): (989) 772-2918 | 107 E. Illinois St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Website: https://listeningear.com/
The center now operates the Listening Ear Assistance Fund (LEAF), which provides direct emergency financial help to residents of Isabella and surrounding counties. This fund took on the emergency assistance role previously served by the John H. Goodrow Fund. Assistance may be available for:
- Transportation — gas money, bus fare, or car-related needs
- License and tab fees
- Utility assistance
- Other emergency needs depending on current funding availability
To access LEAF assistance, contact the Crisis Center by calling or texting (989) 772-2918, or use the chat feature on the Listening Ear website. Beyond financial help, Listening Ear also provides:
- Runaway and Homeless Youth program — addressing immediate needs, emergency shelter, and after-care for youth ages 12–17 in Clare and Isabella Counties.
- Transitional Living Program — for young people ages 16–21 facing homelessness in Isabella and Clare Counties, building self-sufficiency skills.
- MSHDA foreclosure counseling for homeowners struggling with mortgage payments.
- Residential services for adults with disabilities in group homes and licensed foster care settings.
EightCAP, Inc. — Isabella County Office Community Action Agency
EightCAP, Inc. is the designated community action agency for Gratiot, Isabella, Montcalm, and Ionia Counties. Its Isabella office is housed in the William and Janet Strickler Nonprofit Center in Mount Pleasant. An appointment is required to meet with a Resource Specialist in person. Community Services programs may include emergency financial assistance for:
- Utility bills and deliverable fuels (heating oil, propane)
- Security deposits and rental assistance
- Dental expenses and prescription costs
- Mortgage payments
- EightCAP also administers the federal LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), helping qualifying households pay heating and energy costs. Applications are typically processed seasonally — call to confirm current availability. The Weatherization Assistance Program provides federally funded energy-efficiency improvements to qualifying low-income homes, reducing long-term energy costs.
- Housing and homeless services include assistance with placement on the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist (with homeless preference), security deposits, short- and mid-term rental assistance, and veteran-specific housing programs. To begin the housing prescreen process, call (616) 225-5965 or the toll-free number below.
- EightCAP also coordinates the Commodity Supplemental Foods Program for seniors, providing food boxes to qualifying older adults at distribution sites across the county.
Eligibility documentation is required for all programs. EightCAP can only serve residents of its four-county service area. Contact Isabella County office: (616) 236-1027 | [email protected]. Housing prescreen: (616) 225-5965 or toll-free (866) 754-9315, option 3 and the address is 1114 W. High Street (Strickler Nonprofit Center), Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Website: https://8cap.org/.
The Salvation Army — Mount Pleasant Service Center Established. 1865
The Salvation Army serves Isabella County through its Mount Pleasant service center, overseen by the Alma Corps. People of all backgrounds are welcome. As funding allows, programs may include: Contact. Service Center: (989) 773-4663 | 1308 Burch St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Alma Corps (broader service area): (989) 463-2864. Website: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/Alma/
- Utility assistance: Help with Consumers Energy bills, water bills, and propane gas. For propane assistance, the tank must typically be at or below 15% capacity.
- Rent and housing assistance: Help with rent, security deposits, and in some cases mortgage payments.
- Emergency food: Food pantry assistance for households in need, generally available periodically. Applicants must reside in Isabella County and provide required documentation.
- Furniture vouchers: Vouchers for household goods.
- Referrals: Case managers connect families with SNAP, TANF, and other government programs. Social workers can help with applications.
- Holiday programs: Christmas Angels gift program, seasonal meal events, and back-to-school supplies.
- The Family Store thrift location (1717 S. Mission St.) accepts donations and offers reduced-price clothing, furniture, and household goods to the public. Revenue supports the Salvation Army's service programs.
The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) is a statewide backup utility assistance program for Michigan residents who do not qualify for or have exhausted LIHEAP benefits. Call (313) 226-9465 or visit https://thawfund.org/ to apply.
United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties — 2-1-1
United Way supports both counties through grant-making to local nonprofits and through the statewide 2-1-1 helpline, which connects callers with community services covering food, housing, utility assistance, health care, and more. Dialing 2-1-1 is free and available around the clock. It is the fastest way to find out what programs you may qualify for in Isabella County. Dial 2-1-1 (free, 24/7) | https://www.unitedwaygi.org/
State & County Government Programs
The Isabella County MDHHS office administers the major state and federal benefit programs available to county residents. This is the primary access point for ongoing food, healthcare, and cash assistance. Programs include:
- Food Assistance Program (SNAP): Monthly food benefits for income-qualifying individuals and households. Apply in person or online through MI Bridges.
- Family Independence Program (FIP / TANF): Temporary cash assistance for families with dependent children, paired with employment services.
- State Disability Assistance (SDA): Cash assistance for qualifying individuals with disabilities who are not yet receiving SSI.
Medicaid / Health Insurance: Free or low-cost health coverage for qualifying residents, including children, pregnant women, seniors, and adults.
- Child care assistance: Subsidized child care for working families who meet income limits.
- Home heating credit and energy assistance: Information on the Michigan Home Heating Credit (tax-based) and referrals to LIHEAP through EightCAP.
Apply in person at the office or online at https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/. The MI Bridges portal allows applications, renewals, and account management at any time. (989) 772-8400 | 1919 Parkland Drive, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858.
Food Assistance
The Salvation Army also operates a food program — see its entry under Emergency Assistance above.
Isabella Community Soup Kitchen (ICSK)
Founded in 1990 as a student project at Central Michigan University, the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen has grown into one of the county's most important hunger-relief institutions. Its permanent facility at 621 S. Adams St. opened in 2002. The kitchen serves free meals to anyone in the community — no documentation required, no eligibility test. Seniors, college students, single parents, veterans, homeless individuals, and working families are all welcome. Contact 125 E. Broadway, downtown Mt. Pleasant. (989) 772-7392 | 621 S. Adams St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. https://www.icsk.org/.
Community Compassion Network (CCN)
CCN is a volunteer-driven, multi-church organization providing supplemental food to Isabella County families in need. The food pantry is open to Isabella County residents on a regular weekly basis. Clients must be Isabella County residents. CCN also operates an Infant Pantry, providing diapers, formula, and other essentials for infants and toddlers each month. A Nutrition Club program delivers bags of nutritious food to elementary school children twice monthly. Call ahead to confirm pantry schedule and any documentation requirements. Contact (989) 863-4449 | https://ccnfeeds.org/.
Senior Services (Age 60+)
Isabella County Commission on Aging
Established in 1973 by the Isabella County Board of Commissioners, the Commission on Aging is the primary resource for residents aged 60 and older across the county. There are no income requirements for most programs. Services include: Contact: (989) 772-0748 | 2200 S. Lincoln Rd., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Website: https://www.isabellacounty.org/departments/commission-on-aging/.
- Home Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels): Nutritionally balanced meals delivered to homebound seniors who are physically or mentally unable to prepare their own food or attend a congregate meal site.
- Congregate Meal Program (Food with Friends): Free hot meals served at multiple sites across the county on a regular basis. Sites include the Isabella Senior Center, Rosebush, Shepherd, Weidman, and Winn. Call for current site schedules.
- Personal Care: Certified Nurse Aides assist seniors with bathing, dressing, grooming, and other daily living activities.
- Homemaking: Light household tasks — laundry, cleaning, errands — for seniors with functional limitations.
- Case Management: Social workers connect seniors and their caregivers to housing, financial, insurance, and community resources. Home visits can be arranged.
- Respite Care: Temporary relief for family caregivers, with a trained aide staying with the care recipient.
- Caregiver Training Program: Support and training on nutrition, stress, and wellness for those caring for aging relatives.
- Medical Equipment Lending: Walkers, canes, shower chairs, and wheelchairs are available on loan to county residents at no charge and with no time limit.
- Medicare assistance: Staff can help navigate Medicare plan questions and issues. Contact the office to be connected with a Medicare counselor.
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