Community Resources
In 2022, we asked patrons and community members what they saw as the primary issues in their communities. We continue to invite conversations within our community today. The resources on this page are informed by these conversations, one-on-one interaction during pantry coffee chats, and patron surveys.
​
This page lists organizations and resources that service Monroe and surrounding counties as well as Indiana-wide programs. This is NOT meant to be an exhaustive list. It primarily includes programs, community partners and resources we often refer people to and have confirmed are still operational as of February 2025.
​
General One-Stop-Shop for Resources & Assistance
Helping Bloomington Monroe: A go-to user-friendly and updated resource roundup of social services around Monroe County from food and housing to medical care.
Indiana 211: A guided Indiana-specific search system with resources from food to transportation, employment, health care, legal, housing, and more.
Bloomington Community Support Groups: Find group-based support in the community surrounding various things from addiction, parenting, healthcare, and more
​
FOR EMERGENCY - National Suicide & Crisis Hotline | Dial 988
​
Common Requests
Pantries, Free Meals & Emergency Food
Finding Food in Monroe & Surrounding Counties: List of food pantries and agencies in Monroe and surrounding counties (English & Spanish)
​
Diapers, Pregnancy, Youth & Parenting Resources
All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center: Judgment-free, low-barrier pregnancy, parenting, abortion, and adoption support; includes diapers & formula, pregnancy tests, counseling, birth control, navigating the system, and peer support
Monroe Smart Start: Resources for finding high quality early childcare, as well as financial assistance for child care
Youth Services Bureau Shelter: 24/7 emergency shelter for children offering a wide variety of programs and services
​
Pet Food Assistance
Monroe County Humane Association Pet Food Pantry: Pet food pantry for those who qualify for subsidized services
General Financial Assistance
Helping Bloomington Monroe: Financial Assistance: Collection of 650+ programs and resources related to financial assistance; option to search by specific need like housing, healthcare, school, or transit​
​
Clothing: List of free and discounted clothing in Bloomington
​
Public & Social Services
Legal Services
Civil Legal Resources: List of reduced or free legal services in Bloomington, Indiana, or online
State Social Services​
FSSA Benefits Page: Find FAQs and application information for social services programs including: SNAP, Women, Infants , and Children (WIC), Medicaid (HIP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and refugee services
Transit​
Bloomington Bike Project: Offers free bike repairs and learn how to fix your bike. Runs an earn-a-bike program which trades 3 volunteer hours for help fixing and building a bike for free
Bloomington Transit Reduced Bus Fare: See if you qualify for a reduced bus fare pass​
​
Housing & Utilities
Utility Assistance
SCCAP: Energy Assistance Program: Provides assistance with winter fuel bills for households in Brown, Monroe, Morgan and Owen counties
SCCAP Weatherization program: Weatherization includes a wide variety of energy efficiency measures and serves low income families free of charge (homeowners or tenants alike). Includes mobile homes.
United Way Utility Assistance: Various utility assistance resources beyond the ones listed above
Housing
Bloomington Catholic Worker: houses men, women, and couples without children
Center for Women and Children: Shelter for women and children (religious)
Friend’s Place: Houses men and women without dependents
Middle Way House: Supportive services for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking including emergency and transitional housing.
New Hope for Families: Childcare and shelter services for families
Section 8 & Housing Choice Voucher programs: Guide to programs, applications, and open waitlists
Wheeler Mission: Emergency and short-term housing for men (religious)
​
Eviction
Eviction Prevention Program: Provides free resources for Monroe County tenants and landlords including legal advice, mediation, and referrals for housing navigation. Text or call (812) 340-8189 or email evictionavoidance@gmail.com​
Rental & Eviction Resources: Various resources for Bloomington renters
​
Public Health
Re-Entry & Sober Living
New Leaf New Life 2025 Re-Entry Guide Monroe County Resource Guide: Resources and tips for employment, housing, basic needs, programming targeted for recently or previously incarcerated people but broadly relevant
​Courage to Change: Sober living program includes 12 step recovery, one on one counseling, intensive outpatient classes, peer support, and connection to resources in the community
​
Healthcare​
Indiana Recovery Alliance: Offers Harm Reduction services such as syringe access and Naloxone distribution. Nonjudgmental programming for self-discovery and empowerment
GoodRx SingleCare: Prescription assistance
Catholic Charities: Reduced, sliding scale therapy and counseling services. Accepts Medicaid.
Healthy Indiana Plan: Medicaid enrollment for Indiana
​
Health Insurance
Healthy Indiana Plan: Medicaid enrollment for Indiana
IU Health’s Financial Counseling: Counseling assistance with various healthcare coverage programs including the Healthy Indiana Plan, Medicaid, and SNAP
​