Questions people ask
Where can I get free food in Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 26 places that can help in Smith County: PATH Choice Food Pantry in Tyler (Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM walk-in), (903) 597-7284; East Texas Food Bank Tyler Resource Center (Monday through Thursday, 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Friday, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM), (903) 597-3663; St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Tyler (Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM arrive before 11:30. 1st Monday, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM arrive before 6:45...), (903) 592-0027. 23 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 paying rent or a utility bill in Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Smith County: PATH (People Attempting To Help) in Tyler (Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM), (903) 597-7284; GETCAP, energy assistance (Tyler office), (903) 962-2670, 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 Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 2 places that can help in Smith County: Tyler Housing Agency (City of Tyler Section 8 vouchers), (903) 531-1303, call first; PATH (People Attempting To Help) in Tyler (Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM), (903) 597-7284. 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 shelter or warming center in Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 5 places that can help in Smith County: The Salvation Army of Tyler, (903) 592-4361, call first; Gateway to Hope (day center for people without homes) in Tyler, (903) 363-9265, call first; Smith County Emergency Management (warming and cooling centers) in Tyler (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), (903) 590-2649, call first. 2 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. The Salvation Army of Tyler is the county's only shelter for men, women and families. Call ahead to ask about a bed. You can also call 2-1-1, or 911 in an emergency.
Where can I find a free or low-cost clinic in Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 16 places that can help in Smith County: Family Circle of Care, Broadway Clinic in Tyler (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM), (903) 535-9041; Family Circle of Care, Chapel Hill Clinic in Tyler (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), (903) 535-9041; Family Circle of Care, Houston St. Clinic in Tyler (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM), (903) 535-9041. 13 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 Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 7 places that can help in Smith County: Andrews Center, Tyler clinic (mental health) (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 24-hour crisis line: 877-934-2131), (903) 597-1351; Hiway 80 Rescue Mission, Triumph Village (men's recovery) in Tyler, (903) 630-5366, call first; Andrews OSAR, substance use screening and referral (Tyler), (903) 595-4208, call first. 4 more are listed on this page. Please call first to confirm the ones marked call first. 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 Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 4 places that can help in Smith County: Smith County Veteran Services Office in Tyler (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM), (903) 590-2950, call first; Tyler Centennial VA Clinic (Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Hours vary by service), (903) 266-5900; CampV, veteran resource center and emergency bill help (Tyler), (903) 566-1010, call first. 1 more is listed on this page. 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 Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Smith County: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Tyler (immigration legal help) (Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM), (903) 258-9492; 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 Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 11 places that can help in Smith County: Texas WIC, Tyler clinic (N. Broadway) (Monday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM), (903) 592-7635; Texas WIC, Family Care Center clinic (Amherst Dr) in Tyler (Monday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM), (903) 533-1319; Texas WIC, Lindale clinic, (903) 592-7635, call first. 8 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 free clothing in Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Smith County: PATH Coats for Kids in Tyler (Sign up at PATH October 1 to 21, 2026 Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Coats are given out Saturday...), (903) 597-7284; St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Tyler (Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM arrive before 11:30. 1st Monday, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM arrive before 6:45...), (903) 592-0027; Tyler Family Assistance Center (Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. 2nd Saturday, 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM), (903) 526-6757. You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a person.
Where can I get low-cost pet help in Smith County, Texas?
We have confirmed 3 places that can help in Smith County: SPCA of East Texas and SNIPPET low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Tyler (By appointment only), (903) 592-7705; Tyler Animal Services (city shelter) (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), (903) 535-0045; Smith County Animal Shelter and Animal Control in Tyler (Open to the public Monday to Friday, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Mornings by appointment), (903) 266-4303. 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 East Texas Food Bank's public Find Food map. We list the source on every card.