Free help in Washington, DC — food, shelter, recovery, and clinics
11 places in Washington, DC that help families for free or at low cost. Nothing to buy, no account needed. Call ahead — hours change.
What kind of help do you need in Washington, DC?
- Food & Meals in Washington, DC4 listings
- Shelter & Housing in Washington, DC3 listings
- Recovery & Rehab in Washington, DC3 listings
- Health & Clinics in Washington, DC1 listings
Find help by city in Washington, DC
1 cities and towns with listings. Pick the one closest to you.
Food Pantries & Meals in Washington, DC
See all 4Capital Area Food Bank
CheckedDC-region hunger relief with 400+ partners across the metro area.
Food pantryMobile distributionWashington, DC Call for pantry locations, hours, and distribution schedules near you.DC Central Kitchen
CheckedCommunity meals, culinary job training, and healthy food access across DC.
Food pantryMobile distributionWashington, DC Call for pantry locations, hours, and distribution schedules near you.211 District of Columbia — Free Local Help Line
CheckedFree, confidential 24/7 helpline connecting District of Columbia residents to food pantries, rent and utility help, shelter, health services, and other local programs. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone.
Food pantryRent & utility help24 hours a day, 7 days a weekFind a Food Bank in District of Columbia
CheckedUse the Feeding America food bank finder to locate the member food bank serving every county in District of Columbia, with links to local pantries, mobile distributions, and meal programs.
Food pantryMobile distributionKids & summer mealsSenior nutrition
Shelter & Housing Help in Washington, DC
See all 3Central Union Mission
CheckedEmergency shelter, meals, and job training for homeless men in DC.
Emergency shelterWashington, DC Call for intake availability and bed space; most shelters operate first-come, first-served.So Others Might Eat (SOME)
CheckedMeals, housing, medical care, and job training in the District.
Emergency shelterWashington, DC Call for intake availability and bed space; most shelters operate first-come, first-served.District of Columbia Homeless Assistance & Housing (HUD)
CheckedHUD's District of Columbia homeless assistance page lists local Continuum of Care contacts, emergency shelters, housing counselors, and rental assistance programs across the state.
Emergency shelterTransitional housingRent & utility helpVeterans
Addiction Recovery & Rehab in Washington, DC
See all 3Clean & Sober Streets
CheckedResidential recovery program for homeless men and women in DC.
Inpatient treatmentSupport groupsWashington, DC Call for intake; many faith-based programs are free or low-cost.District of Columbia Addiction & Recovery Treatment Finder
CheckedSearch FindTreatment.gov for licensed substance-use and mental-health treatment programs across District of Columbia — filter by payment option, including free and sliding-scale care. SAMHSA's national helpline (1-800-662-4357) is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
DetoxInpatient treatmentOutpatient programSupport groupsHelpline available 24/7
Health, Clinics & Medical Supplies in Washington, DC
See all 1District of Columbia Free & Low-Cost Health Centers
CheckedUse HRSA's health center finder to locate community health centers across District of Columbia that provide medical, dental, and mental-health care on a sliding-fee scale based on your ability to pay.
Free clinicSliding scale clinicPrescription helpDental care
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