Community Resources
Community Resources for All
This comprehensive list of community resources, put together by The Office of Student Success, was created to support students and their families. Please reach out to us directly with questions.
If you're in need of food
The Department of Human Services encourages every Pennsylvanian experiencing food insecurity to apply for SNAP, this includes students. Learn more at SNAP for college students.
The most complete list of food pantries, food banks, soup kitchens, and free food in Pennsylvania. Search for your city here.
Assists in locating a soup kitchen, food pantry, shelter, and social programs. Learn more on the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank website.
Hot meals are provided at various locations both in Harrisburg and around the region. Learn more at the Bethesda Mission website.
Provides food distribution to registered clients & also fresh produce, dairy, and bread products through the Farmstand. There is to financial requirement for Farmstand. Learn more at the Project Share website.
If you're in need of housing
Committed to meeting the needs of transitional youth and their families. They work a wide range of community and faith-based organizations. Their mission consists of 3 objectives: Promote and support family connections, encourage positive daily living in a safe home environment, provide fundamental life skills that inspire youth to achieve their goals.
The most complete list of shelters in Pennsylvania. The shelters listed are emergency shelters but many are general homeless shelters or transitional housing opportunities. Please note that many of these facilities have waiting lists (some are very long). Please call ahead to check availability first.
This is a list of shelters by city. Some shelters offer long-term options where they will help pay rent while the client works to become self-sufficient again.
If you're in need of medical or dental care
Bethesda Mission provides excellent medical and dental care for its residents and takes referrals from other agencies in the Harrisburg area treating uninsured and under-insured homeless and low-income persons. Learn more about the medical and dental care Bethesda Mission offers on their website.
FreeDentalCare.us is a free website maintained by users like you. Volunteers work hard to make sure the information on these clinics is up-to-date and accurate.
The clinic provides primary care to adults age 18 and over who are uninsured and underserved adults in the greater Harrisburg Ares and surrounding communities. Persons coming to the clinic must make an appointment as well as undergo eligibility screening. Learn more at the Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope.
If you're in need of rehabilitation facilities
This is a listing of free Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers including State Funded, Non-Profit, and Faith-Based. Learn more at the Pennsylvania Free Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers website.
To speak to an alcohol or drug abuse counselor call (866)972-0589
If you're in need of mental health centers
State of Pennsylvania Government Funded and Non-Profit free mental health services.
If you're in need of emergency shelter
This resource will assist families who become homeless offering 30-day emergency shelter, assistance in finding permanent housing, basic needs, and referrals to other agencies to meet family needs.
If you're in need of legal aid and pro bono services
Mid-Penn Legal Services is a private, non-profit, public-interest law firm dedicated to providing equal access to justice and high-quality legal services to low-income persons and survivors of domestic violence in central Pennsylvania.
Learn more by visiting the Mid-Penn Legal Services website or calling (717) 234-0492.
If you're in need of transportation
May assist with matching a student who commutes with a ride match as well as an emergency ride home should an emergency occur requiring a person to leave.
Learn more at the Commuter Services of Pennsylvania website.
If you're in need of diapers and period supplies
Provides diapers, period supplies, and other basic needs to underserved families throughout South Central Pennsylvania. To get these products into the hands of the families and menstruators who need them, Healthy Steps partners with local non-profit organizations who then provide these items free of charge to active participants of their program.
If you're in need of accessing community resources
Crisis Hotline, Housing, Food, Utilities, Employment & Expenses, Health, Mental Health, Disaster Services, Clothing & Household, Community Resources, Disability Services, Family Resources, Legal Services, Older Adults, Reentry Resources, Substance Abuse Disorder Services, Transportation, Veterans
If you're in need of money for dependent children or child programs
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides money and other services to the needy. This assistance is provided to promote self-respect, rehabilitation, and independence while helping families maintain a decent and healthful standard of living.
Access to request Child Programming at the Community Center
If you're in need of a variety of basic needs, programs and services
Food & Basic Needs, Stability & Workforce Development Programs, Youth Programs, Mobile Food Pantry, Tax Prep Assistance
This location search will help you find resources in a specific zip code area including food, health, clothing, programming, and more.
Contact them for specific information by calling (717) 766-1533, emailing missioncentral@missioncentral.org, or by visiting their website at missioncentral.org.