Church Assistance Programs in Prince George’s County

Several local churches and faith-based organizations in Prince George’s County provide emergency assistance, including financial aid for rent and utilities, food pantries, and housing support to residents facing crisis.

Financial & Housing Crisis Assistance

The Salvation Army – Prince George’s County Corps

The Salvation Army – Prince George’s County Corps provides critical financial and housing crisis assistance to local residents out of its main office in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Emergency Financial Assistance

The corps operates the Emergency Assistance (EMAST) Program, which provides direct crisis stabilization resources:

Rent & Mortgage Assistance: Eligible households can receive up to $500 to stop eviction or secure housing. Note: Rental aid operates via a lottery system on the first of each month; applicants should call a day or two prior to be placed on the roster.

Utility Shut-off Prevention: Offers immediate funds (up to $500) to prevent electric, gas, and heating disconnections. A dedicated partnership with Pepco allows eligible low-to-moderate-income customers to qualify for bill credits up to $1,000.

Vital Documentation & Other Costs: Limited funding covers burial assistance, birth certificates, public transit bus passes, and gas vouchers.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for financial or housing aid from this location, you must meet the following criteria:

• Residency: Must be a confirmed resident of Prince George’s County, MD.
• Income Limit: Total household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• Crisis Status: Must demonstrate an official financial hardship, such as an active past-due utility bill or an eviction notice.
• Required Documents: Government-issued ID, birth certificates (if requested), proof of all income/expenses, proof of residency, and the unpaid utility bill or lease agreement.

How to Apply

Applications can be processed online or via email, though funding is subject to availability and does not guarantee approval:

1. Call First: Contact the intake line at 301-277-6103 to verify active funding and initiate an initial screen.
2. Download Forms: Download the application forms directly from the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command page.
3. Submit via Email: Send your completed applications and supporting documents to the designated county intake team.

Location & Contact Details

Address: 4825 Edmonston Road, Hyattsville, MD 20781

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed Saturdays and Sundays)

Phone: 301-277-6103

Catholic Charities DC – Mona Center

The Susan Denison Mona Center in Temple Hills is a prominent multi-service facility operated by Catholic Charities DC. It functions as an integrated wellness, legal, and crisis intervention hub explicitly designed to support low-income families and individuals throughout Prince George’s County.

Requirements & Eligibility

The Mona Center offers its resources to anyone in need regardless of race, background, or religious affiliation:

Target Audience: Programs prioritize low-income, uninsured, or crisis-impacted residents living inside Prince George’s County.

Documentation Needed: To register for formal clinical care, legal support, or ongoing case management, you must provide a valid photo ID, proof of a Prince George’s County address (such as a utility bill or lease agreement), and proof of your household income.

How to Access Services

Walk-ins are often restricted depending on the specific program, so it is highly recommended to call the department line directly to schedule a intake appointment:

General Help & Food Support: Call the main office line at 301-615-0950 or email GetHelp@cc-dc.org.

Medical Clinic Appointments: Call the clinical team at 240-563-1026.

Dental Clinic Roster: Dial 301-615-0945 to check for open appointment windows.

Legal Consultations: Contact the legal intake department at 202-350-4305.

Location & Operational Hours

Address: 5859 Allentown Way, Temple Hills, MD 20748

Main Building Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Dental/Medical Hours: Typically open Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (by appointment).

United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP)

As Prince George’s County’s leading designated Community Action Agency, United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP) provides vital anti-poverty resources, emergency housing services, and localized financial relief from its operational campus in Capitol Heights, Maryland.

Housing Services & Eviction Prevention

UCAP offers heavily utilized, HUD-certified intervention programs targeting severe housing instability:

Emergency Rental & Mortgage Assistance Fund: Provides localized cash grants specifically for families who are at least one month behind on payments. UCAP deploys emergency funds—such as those backed by its Walk in Their Shoes crisis campaign—to cover immediate back-rent, mortgage deliquencies, or first-month rental assistance to prevent homelessness.

Foreclosure & Mortgage Counseling: Employs HUD-certified case counselors to assist at-risk homeowners with mortgage modifications, legal mediation, and credit wellness planning.

Service Linked Housing & PATH Program: Delivers long-term, community-based supportive case management for low-income persons transitioning into permanent housing architectures.

Emergency Homeless Solutions

For individuals and families actively displaced or experiencing a housing emergency:

Crisis Intake Integration: UCAP collaborates closely with county safety nets. For immediate emergency family shelter placement at facilities like Shepherd’s Cove, residents must call the official Prince George’s County Crisis Hotline at 1-888-731-0999.

Transition Packages: Sheltered individuals receive comprehensive wrap-around services including three meals a day, dedicated child care, case management, and home-location aid, transitioning out with curated personal supply care packages.

Location Information

Address: 1400 Doewood Lane, Capitol Heights, MD 20743

General Office Line: 301-322-5700

Community Ministry of Prince George’s County (CMPGC)

The Community Ministry of Prince George’s County (CMPGC) is an interfaith 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1973. It works alongside local partner churches and community resources to support near-homeless, homeless, and low-wage individuals. CMPGC focuses its mission on human services, emergency crisis resolution, educational equity, and health outreach.

Intake availability for financial grants fluctuates depending on active public funding cycles. Always call the main service branch first to verify guidelines before requesting housing aid:

Central Intake Phone: 301-499-2319 or 301-358-0241

Intake Email: jslade@cmpgc.com

Physical Office Site: 311 68th Place, Suite 104, Capitol Heights, MD 20743

Mailing & Processing Address: PO Box 250, Upper Marlboro, MD 20773

Food, Supplies & Community Outreach

MERCY House at St. Stephen Baptist Church

The MERCY House outreach center operates out of Temple Hills as a vital resource hub for basic needs and family stabilization.

Food & Clothing Pantries: Regularly distributes emergency grocery boxes and seasonal fresh produce. It also features a clothing bank providing everyday attire, coats, and school uniforms.

Special Assistance & Navigational Support: Periodically assists with home furniture allocation for families recovering from disasters or homelessness. Navigators also provide direct referrals to county housing and energy assistance programs.

Location: 5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748

Contact: 301-899-8885

Shabach Empowerment Center at First Baptist Church of Glenarden

The Shabach Empowerment Center is a highly organized nonprofit subsidiary of FBCG that focuses on comprehensive family empowerment and poverty mitigation.

Emergency Food Pantry: Distributes packed grocery bags, shelf-stable goods, and fresh meats to thousands of county households annually.

Shabach Clothing Closet: Provides free professional, casual, and seasonal attire for adults and children, tailored for job seekers needing interview clothes.

Employment & Care Support: Integrates resume building workshops, career coaching, financial literacy mentorship, and mental health counseling.

Location: 3600 Brightseat Road, Landover, MD 20785

Contact: 301-773-3600

University Baptist Church (Help-by-Phone Pantry)

Located in Hyattsville, University Baptist Church focuses its local outreach heavily on food security and immigrant support.

Help-by-Phone Network: Acts as a primary distribution site for the county’s Help-by-Phone food pantry system, providing multi-day emergency food packages of dry, canned, and fresh foods to registered individuals.

Transit & Language Support: Offers limited gas vouchers and emergency transit assistance alongside ongoing English as a Second Language (ESL) community classes.

Location: 3515 Campus Drive, Hyattsville, MD 20783

Contact: 301-422-0430

Crossover Church Emergency Closet

Crossover Church provides targeted, rapid-response material resources to individuals facing low-income barriers or sudden displacement.

Emergency Supplies: Operates an immediate-needs resource closet supplying pre-packaged emergency food boxes, shelf-stable groceries, and seasonal clothing directly to walk-ins or referred individuals.

Location: 5340 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781

Contact: 301-927-5620