Questions people ask
Where can I get free food in Shelby County, Texas?
We have confirmed 6 places that can help in Shelby County: Huxley Helping Hands/Hillcrest Baptist Church in Center (Senior Box 60 and older, income limits apply: 2nd Tuesday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM), (936) 572-3463, call first; Shelby County Outreach in Center (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM), (936) 598-4990, call first; Joaquin Community Christian Services (Food pantry: Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Senior Box 60 and older, income limits apply: 3rd...), (936) 269-3006, call first. 3 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 housing help in Shelby County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Shelby County: Housing Authority of Center, (936) 598-2332, call first; Housing Authority of Tenaha, (936) 248-4424, call first; Housing Authority of Timpson, (936) 254-2378, 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 find a free or low-cost clinic in Shelby County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Shelby County: HOPE Community Medicine- Center Location, (936) 590-8381, call first; Hope Community Medicine, Joaquin, (936) 591-8380, call first; The Hope Project in Tenaha, (936) 248-4673, 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 with addiction or mental health in Shelby County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Shelby 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 Shelby County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Shelby 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 Shelby County, Texas?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Shelby County: 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. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get help with WIC, jobs or parenting in Shelby County, Texas?
We have confirmed one place that can help in Shelby County: Texas WIC, U T M B- Center (Monday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tuesday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), (936) 598-5021. 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.