Free help in Rusk, Texas

Rusk Cares Good Samaritan

Food pantry, Senior Box (60 and older, income limits apply), Free produce, a East Texas Food Bank partner. Serves Rusk ISD.

Hours

Food pantry: 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Senior Box (60 and older, income limits apply): 2nd Wednesday, 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Wednesday, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Free produce: Wednesday, 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Address

190 W. Second Street, Rusk, TX 75785

Call first. Hours come from the East Texas Food Bank map. Please call to confirm before you go.

River of Life Christian Center

Food pantry, a East Texas Food Bank partner. Serves Cherokee.

Hours

Thursday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 3rd Thursday, 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Address

677 Dickenson, Rusk, TX 75785

Call first. Hours come from the East Texas Food Bank map. Please call to confirm before you go.

HOPE Community Medicine Pediatrics, Rusk

Children's clinic from HOPE Community Medicine. It sees patients with or without insurance and, as a federally funded health center, must offer discounts based on income.

Hours

Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Address

1375 N. Dickinson Dr, Rusk, TX 75785

HOPE Inc.

Food pantry, Senior Box (60 and older, income limits apply), a East Texas Food Bank partner. Serves Cherokee.

Hours

Food pantry: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Address

595 S. Ragsdale St., Jacksonville, TX 75766

Call first. Hours come from the East Texas Food Bank map. Please call to confirm before you go.

GETCAP, energy assistance (Tyler office)

State-funded help with electric and gas or propane heating and cooling bills, plus weatherization. It is usually one-time help for households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, which in 2026 is $49,500 a year for a family of four. Priority goes to people who are elderly or disabled, families with a child under 6, and working families. It does not pay rent or water bills. There is no online application: download the paper form at get-cap.org and bring or email it, or book an appointment at 936-720-7474. Bring ID and proof of all income from the last 30 days. Decisions can take 60 to 90 days, and GETCAP says to keep paying your bills while you wait.

Hours

Please call for hours

Address

1010 W SW Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701

Call first. The state lists GETCAP as the energy bill help provider for Cherokee County. This is its Tyler office, and its hours are not published. Call to ask where Cherokee County residents apply.

Workforce Solutions East Texas, Tyler center

Job center with job search help, training and child care help for working families (child care line 800-676-8283). Veterans and eligible spouses get priority. The region's main line is 1-844-ETWORKS.

Hours

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Address

1421 S. Beckham Ave, Tyler, TX 75701

CampV, veteran resource center and emergency bill help (Tyler)

A veteran resource center that says it serves all of East Texas. It helps with VA benefits and claims, home loans, counseling and housing, and offers free rides to medical appointments. Its Direct Assistance Program, by appointment only, can help veterans with rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, internet and phone, car payments and repairs, and groceries. Bring your DD214 or military ID, the bill, and a current bank statement. Veterans with a dishonorable, bad conduct or entry-level discharge are not eligible.

Hours

Please call for hours

Address

3212 W. Front St, Tyler, TX 75702

Call first. Hours are not published. CampV says it serves all of East Texas; call to confirm help for this county.