Questions people ask
Where can I get free food in Austin County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Austin County: Bellville Methodist Church (2nd Thursday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. 4th Thursday, 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM), (979) 865-5976, call first; Sealy Christian Pantry (Food pantry: Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Food pantry: 2nd Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM), (979) 885-3866, call first; New Prairie View Baptist Church in San Felipe (Food pantry: Tuesday and Friday, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Saturday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM), (979) 885-6836, call first. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help paying rent or a utility bill in Austin County, Texas?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Austin County: Combined Community Action, Inc., (979) 540-2980. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get housing help in Austin County, Texas?
We have confirmed 5 places that can help in Austin County: Housing Authority of the City of Bellville, (409) 865-3722, call first; Bellville Housing Authority, (979) 865-3722, call first; USDA Rural Development - Angleton, (979) 549-0215, call first. 2 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Austin County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Austin County: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), 988; SAMHSA National Helpline (Open 24 hours a day, every day), (800) 662-4357. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with veterans benefits in Austin County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Austin County: Texas Veterans Commission, (800) 252-8387, call first; Veterans Crisis Line (Open 24 hours a day, every day), 988; VA national phone lines (Benefits line, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern), (800) 827-1000. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. A veteran in crisis can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
Where can I get free legal help in Austin County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Austin County: Lone Star Legal Aid, (713) 652-0077, call first; Legal Hotline for Texans (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 800-622-2520 and choose option 3), (800) 622-2520. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with WIC, jobs or parenting in Austin County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Austin County: Texas WIC, Bellville Clinic (Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM), (979) 865-9140; Texas WIC, Sealy Clinic (Monday and Wednesday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Friday, 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM), (979) 885-0517. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Is HelpByState free to use?
Yes. There is nothing to sign up for and nothing to pay. Every listing is free, and so is adding or correcting one.
Why do some listings say call first?
Church and community pantries often change days, move, or close for a holiday. When the sources we checked disagree, or an organization does not publish its hours, we say so instead of guessing. A quick call saves a trip.
I run a pantry or a program. How do I get listed or fix our hours?
Use the Add a listing or Suggest an update form. We confirm it against your own page or contact you, then change the listing. It is free.
Is this the same as 2-1-1?
No. 2-1-1 is a statewide phone line and database run by the state network. HelpByState is an independent, county-by-county directory that shows the date each listing was checked. If you want to talk to a person, dial 2-1-1.
Where do the hours and phone numbers come from?
From each organization's own website or page, official sources such as housing authority and WIC clinic lists, and the public Find Food map of the Houston Food Bank. We list the source on every card.