Questions people ask
Where can I get free food in Rains County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Rains County: Rains County Good Samaritan in Emory (Food pantry: Monday and Thursday, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Senior Box 60 and older, income limits apply: Monday and...), (903) 473-3179, call first; Freedom Church of God in Emory (3rd Friday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM), (903) 473-2457, 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 Rains County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Rains County: Community Services of Northeast Texas (energy bill help), (903) 756-5596, call first; CampV, veteran resource center and emergency bill help (Tyler), (903) 566-1010, 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 housing help in Rains County, Texas?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Rains County: Housing Authority of Point, (903) 598-2531. Please call first to confirm. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I find a shelter or warming center in Rains County, Texas?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Rains County: East Texas Crisis Center (Tyler main location) (24-hour crisis hotline), (800) 333-0358. We could not confirm a year-round walk-in shelter in the county. For a place to stay tonight, call 2-1-1, or 911 in an emergency.
Where can I get help with addiction or mental health in Rains County, Texas?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Rains County: Lakes Regional Community Center (mental health) (24-hour crisis line: 877-466-0660), (877) 505-2537. Please call first to confirm. 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 Rains County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Rains County: Rains County Veterans Service Office in Emory (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), (903) 473-5055; CampV, veteran resource center and emergency bill help (Tyler), (903) 566-1010, call first; Workforce Solutions East Texas, Athens center (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), (903) 677-3521. 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 Rains County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Rains County: Lone Star Legal Aid, Tyler office (Office, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Intake, Monday to Thursday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM), (903) 595-4781; East Texas Crisis Center (Tyler main location) (24-hour crisis hotline), (800) 333-0358. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with WIC, jobs or parenting in Rains County, Texas?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Rains County: Workforce Solutions East Texas, Athens center (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), (903) 677-3521. 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 East Texas Food Bank. We list the source on every card.