Need help with rent, utilities and groceries? These organizations help find solutions
Food, water and shelter. Those issues always have been top of mind for many Stanislaus residents, but this past year, the needs have grown, said Adrianna Aguilar, a program specialist with 2-1-1 Stanislaus County.
Anyone can call 2-1-1 by phone to reach a representative who will help access resources, and Aguilar’s team is equipped to handle everything from job training to healthcare. Think of it like a Google search, except where a real person is at the computer, listening to you and tailoring the information to what you need.
From July 2021 to June 2022, Aguilar’s team handled 15,217 calls from families across the county seeking assistance. That’s more calls than the previous year, when the COVID-19 pandemic upended daily life. This July, Aguilar said more customers than usual started asking for help to get food on the table.
The 2-1-1 system, a program of United Way of Stanislaus, offers support in over 120 languages, but most callers speak English. Roughly 32% of the callers identify as Latino, though Stanislaus County is almost 50% Latino according to the recent census.
Aguilar has been trying to raise awareness about the 2-1-1 program by visiting schools and engaging parents. “There’s a lot of people who still don’t know much about the program,” she told The Modesto Bee.
This year, the West Modesto Community Collaborative launched its own project to ensure that Latino residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have the support they need. The collaborative has two staff members who work as “navigators,” connecting residents in the neighborhood with local services. Their reach is small — just five people a week — but so far they are seeing the same needs as 2-1-1: rent, utilities and food.
If you are looking for help and don’t know where to look, call 2-1-1 or, for the West Modesto Community Collaborative, call 209-522-6902 and ask for the navigators. The Modesto Bee has compiled their answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Q: I’m struggling to pay my rent this month. Where can I get help?
“The program or the agency we refer them to will depend on the program eligibility. Everyone will be different based on their needs,” Aguilar said. One place to look would be the Central Valley Opportunity Center in Modesto or, for those in the county, check out the Community Housing and Shelter Services. Be aware that for the latter, families will need to prove that their rent is less than 80% of their income. If a household income is $2,000 a month, for example, they can’t receive assistance if their rent exceeds $1,600 a month. For families with children at risk of homelessness, Stanislaus County also offers payments for temporary shelter up to 16 days through the CalWORKS program. Those families can also reach out to Family Promise.
Q: I can’t afford my water or electricity bill right now. Where can I get help with my utilities?
“In terms of utilities, our go-to has been the Central Valley Opportunity Center,” said Liliana Felix with the West Modesto Community Collaborative. Jorge De Nava, executive director of the Central Valley Opportunity Center, said that these utility assistance programs are very popular, serving thousands of people a year. He also highlighted a new federally funded government program that offers assistance with water bills. At 2-1-1, callers also receive referrals for the Salvation Army Modesto Corps and the Center for Human Services.
Q: How do I find free food for my family?
There are plenty of options for families who can’t afford groceries. 2-1-1 suggests reaching out to Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, who will refer people to a local pantry near them. The Salvation Army Modesto Corps, the Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus, United Samaritans Foundations and the Center for Human Services offer free meals for families in need as well.
The West Modesto Community Collaborative recommends people check out Mobile Fresh, which offers free food through a mobile van. The next stop in Stanislaus County is at 9 a.m. on Aug. 25 by Iglesia Bautista Emmanual at 1315 Hays St., Modesto.
