Social Service Assistance
Information on emergency shelters, utilities assistance, and more
Food Pantries
Campus Cupboard
Kansas Union, Room 435
1301 Jayhawk Blvd.
Hours: Change each semester; check the website
The Center for Community Outreach operates Campus Cupboard, a grocery-style free food resource. All KU students, faculty and staff are welcome to free meals, ingredients, snacks, produce and meat based on a points system. Personal care and hygiene products don’t count toward points. You’ll need to show your KU ID when checking out. If you are interested in volunteering, sign up for volunteer training.
Just Food
1000 E. 11th St.
785-856-7030
info@justfood.org
Hours: Tues. & Thurs.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wed. & Fri.: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cruising Cupboard Mobile Pantry Locations & Hours
In addition to free food, Just Food offers free cooking classes, gardening assistance and resources, hygiene products, kitchen supplies and appointments with a community health specialist to assist with nutrition, sleep and other wellness topics. Must complete an info form on your first visit. Can shop once per week.
Ballard Center
Pantry Hours: By appointment only, Mon.-Fri., 10: a.m.-4 p.m.
Provides a high-quality, affordable early education program and essential basic life assistance for families and individuals in need. Services include a food pantry, diaper and clothing assistance, rent and utilities assistance, school supplies, and holiday gift shopping.
ECKAN
2518 Ridge Ct.
785-242-7450 ext. 7631
Pantry Hours: By appointment only
Provides housing assistance, a food pantry, Head Start for preschool children and weatherization grants.
Heartland Community Health Center
1312 W. 6th St.
785-841-7297
info@heartlandhealth.org
Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Satellite location for Just Food. Families and individuals can receive food once per month.
Salvation Army
946 New Hampshire St.
785-843-4188
Hours: Mon.-Tues.: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Thurs.-Fri.: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Food Kitchens
Jubilee Café
946 Vermont St. (in Brady Hall, basement of the First United Methodist Church)
785-856-9521
jubilee@fumclawrence.org
Hours: Tues. & Fri., 7 a.m.-8 a.m.
Hot breakfast for in-need community members in a restaurant-style environment
L.I.N.K. (Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen)
221 W. 10th St. (in the basement of First Christian Church)
785-331-3663
Hours: Tues., Thurs., Sat., Sun.: 1 p.m.
Free hot lunch
Food Stamps, Vouchers Programs
Dept. for Children and Families (DCF)
1901 Delaware St.
785-832-3700
Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Applications available for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits (food stamps), financial assistance for families, medical cards
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
200 Maine St., Suite B (at Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health)
785-856-5350 (WIC line)
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed daily 12 p.m.-1 p.m.)
Food assistance for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk and meet income guidelines.
Emergency Shelters
Lawrence Community Shelter
3655 E. 25th St.
785-832-8864
info@lawrenceshelter.org
Shelter Hours: Daily 24/7
Administrative Office Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
New guests accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are screened for COVID-19 symptoms at intake and on a nightly basis. Provides short-term shelter, meals, job-hunting. Through partner agencies, connects guests with housing assistance and medical services.
Salvation Army
946 New Hampshire St.
785-843-4188
Housing Assistance
Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund
Provides mortgage, property tax, utility and Internet assistance to households experiencing financial hardship during the COVID pandemic. If the application is approved, the lender or service provider receives funds directly from KHAF to apply to the applicant’s account. Approved applicants receive up to $60,000 in assistance (a combination of up to $50,000 in mortgage reinstatement and payment assistance, plus up to $10,000 in property charges and utility/internet/broadband assistance) provided as a grant up to $25,000 and a two-year forgivable loan for mortgage-related assistance more than $25,000. Homeowners must live in Kansas.
Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority
1600 Haskell Ave.
785-842-8110
housing@ldcha.org
Walk-In Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Resident Services Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. by appointment
Lawrence Family Promise
Assists families with children under 18 who are experiencing a housing crisis achieve and maintain permanent housing
Salvation Army
946 New Hampshire St.
785-843-4188
Utilities Assistance
Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance
Provides rent, utility and Internet assistance to households experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID pandemic. Landlords and tenants apply via a joint online process. If the application is approved, the landlord or service provider receives funds directly from KERA and applies KERA funds to the applicant’s account. Approved applicants are eligible for up to 18 months of assistance.
Warm Hearts (Black Hills Energy customers)
info@warmheartsofdouglascounty.com
Applications are available at the Ballard Center, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, ECKAN, Salvation Army and the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County. Applications will be reviewed by the administration office for final approval, verifying the household income reported on the application along with personal identification of all applicants before proceeding. Payments for assistance will be made directly to the gas, electric, propane or wood provider and will not exceed $600 per household between Jan. 1-May 31. Along with an application to Warm Hearts, they encourage all applicants to apply for a Low-Income Energy Assistance Program award.
Project DESERVE (Evergy customers)
Center of Hope determines eligibility based on need and household income. If you think you might be eligible for Project DESERVE assistance, contact Center of Hope at 316-219-2121 or Evergy at 800-383-1183.
Provides emergency assistance paying energy costs for people with a severe disability (children or adults meeting Social Security disability criteria), older adults (65 years or older) and income-eligible households. Applicants may receive a one-time payment of up to $100 to be applied toward an energy bill, over a rolling 12-month period.