Community Resources

Lane County Resources

Like everyone else, sometimes KEPW listeners and volunteers need a little assistance, however we also like to help our neighbors, and this page is a central hub for assistance of all kinds, and is a good place to start if any of your friends, family, or people you see in your neighborhood look like they could use some help.

General Resource Guides

  • KEPW Community Resource Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10U0Ynoh8Ih2_mbZxydBBKEYPmGLDjtFa/edit
    The KEPW Community Resource Guide is a 146 page guide to most of the social services in Eugene, Oregon. The table of contents is clickable, meaning you can find the topic you are looking for there, and click on it, and you will be taken to that section in the guide instead of having to scroll down and find it. It was current as of late 2023, but social services are a constantly changing landscape, and any corrections may be sent to neal@kepw.org
  • 211: If you need a quick answer,  or want to talk to a human being, just call 211. They have operators who know many of the services in Lane County and can email you the information you need.  They get thousands of calls daily and their database is constantly being updated.  The database is easy to use and available directly: https://www.211info.org/
  • The White Bird Clinic Little Help Book: https://little-help-book.netlify.app/ The Little Help Book covers more geographical territory than the KEPW Community Resource Guide, and has additional help for families and youth.
  • The Relief Nursery Community Resource Guide: https://reliefnursery.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Relief-Nursery-Community-Resource-Guide-August-2023.pdf The Relief Nursery Community Resource Guide has more resources, many of them aimed at parents, kids, and families.

Food Insecurity:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits: Having your work hours cut or eliminated? Worried about getting food on the table? You might qualify for SNAP. Just apply online: https://apps.state.or.us/onlineApplication/ With this one online application you can also apply for childcare, cash, and medical benefits.
  • For Seniors: “Meals on Wheels” and the “Senior Grocery Program” provide food delivery to seniors. Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal! Friendly volunteers deliver a nourishing, freshly prepared noontime meal that is nutritionally balanced to provide one-third of a senior’s recommended daily nutrients. Volunteers have time for a brief chat and a safety check. Seniors who live alone feel more secure knowing that someone is checking on them regularly.
    Meals on Wheels recognizes that pets contribute to the well being of seniors, and will also provide pet food to their senior clients through their Kibbles on Wheels program.
    The Senior Grocery Program delivers a monthly food box containing fresh and packaged food. (Note: there can be as long as a 6 month wait for this program, so sign up now.) Info is available at their website: https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/get-help/programs-for-seniors/ Or you can call them:
    Request Meals on Wheels in the Eugene area: (541) 607-5065
    Outside Eugene: (541) 682-3353, 800-441-4038, or TTY (541) 682-4567
    Senior Grocery Program: Contact our Senior Grocery Program Coordinator at (541) 343-2822 ext. 115
  • Pantries and Food Boxes: There are many organizations and churches in Eugene who provide food boxes to those in need. This datasheet tells you how to access them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18inNKytGtQo_beFqnYrtLZfmZkt-y2Vh/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107301857232599900636&rtpof=true&sd=true The Food For Lane County pantry map under the first entry in the document is particularly useful because you can look for food pantries close to your location.
  • The Dining Room: Food For Lane County also runs The Dining Room which provide hot, nutritious meals Monday through Thursday from 12 to 2:45 p.m. at  270 West Eighth Avenue, Eugene (Between Lincoln and Charnelton). More information available on their website: https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/get-help/fflcs-dining-room/

Shelter and resources for people experiencing homelessness:

Resources for Unhoused Youth

  • 15th Night: 15th Night is a youth-led community movement to end youth homelessness by connecting existing resources and finding innovative ways to keep youth in school and off the streets. working with them via phone and text at 24/7 Help Line:541-246-4046. Springfield, please call (541)726-3714. Their email: info@15thNight.org You can find their resource guide here:
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CV67eX-W3MQB2ZuKqhMBzWmYuEPvHVh3/view?usp=sharing
  • Looking Glass: Looking Glass provides services such as emergency housing, harm reduction, and case management for the youth of Eugene. If you are a youth in need, call their 24/7 crisis line: 541-689-3111. Information is also available on their website:
    https://www.lookingglass.us/
  • Hosea Youth Services: The Youth Drop In Center is currently open
    Monday – Thursday from 11:00am – 6:30pm and Friday from 11:00am – 3:00pm at 834 Monroe St. Eugene, Oregon. 97402. It provides just about every service a youth on the streets can need. Their flyer is here: https://www.hoseayouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Outreach-Resource-center-flyer-2023.pdf

Rent & Utilities:

  • Government Help Paying Housing Bills: Unfortunately, at the moment, because there are so many folks out there in need, some government programs are no longer accepting new applicants. If you’re a renter having trouble paying your rent, utilities, or other housing costs, you may be eligible for government programs in your area. Start here: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/housing/housing-insecurity/help-for-renters/get-help-paying-rent-and-bills/ You may have some luck calling 211 and asking what is available in your area.
  • EWEB: If you are having trouble paying your energy bills, EWEB may be able to help you. To see if you are eligible, you can apply online here: https://www.eweb.org/income-based-assistance Or you can call at 541-685-7000 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
  • The Emerald People’s Utility District (EPUD): EPUD has several assistance programs for people who are having trouble paying their energy bills. Information is here: https://www.epud.org/my-account/payment-assistance-programs/
  • Catholic Community Services: Catholic Community Services does help people with bills, but the service is fairly swamped with requests. It is still worth trying: Eugene Catholic Community Services – 541-345-3642, Springfield Catholic Community Services – 541-747-8349, Cottage Grove Community Sharing – 541-942-6492

Internet/Phone Services:

  • Find Help Internet and Phone Assistance List: https://www.findhelp.org/housing/help-pay-for-internet-or-phone–eugene-or
    With the ending of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), it is uncertain where exactly people will find help with their phone and internet bills. You can try the entries in the list linked above.
    An even better source would be the White Bird Navigation Empowerment Services Team (NEST). They have people coming to them for help every day, and are usually up on what is available at the moment. Call them here: 541-342-1295 M-F (9:30am–3:00pm).

Mental Health: