Top 15 Churches in Pittsburgh Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2026

When rent is late, the lights are about to be shut off, or there’s nothing in the fridge, it doesn’t feel “stressful” — it feels like panic. If you’re in Pittsburgh, PA and scrambling for help with bills, food, or basic needs, the churches and faith-based organizations below are actually doing the work: food pantries, rent and utility help, emergency assistance, and hands-on support.

This guide is up to date for 2026 and focuses on concrete, verifiable help, not vague “we’ll pray for you” promises. Every listing below has public information showing how they support people in crisis and how you can reach them directly.

How We Chose These Churches in Pittsburgh

We ranked and selected churches and faith-based organizations based on impact (how many/what kinds of needs they address), accessibility (clear “how to get help” steps), reputation (local listings, news and community mentions), transparency (publicly described programs), and equity (serving the wider community, not just members). This is not paid placement — it’s based on publicly available info and mission fit. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

Note: To get you a full list of 15, we included both local churches and faith-rooted nonprofits that clearly offer food, housing, or utility assistance in the Pittsburgh region.

1. St. Mary Magdalene Parish (East End)

Snapshot: Catholic parish serving the East End with merged social ministries and multiple food pantries. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

• Primary assistance:

  • Regular food pantries in Wilkinsburg and Homewood

  • Home delivery for some East End residents

  • Ministry Center social services and referrals

• Best for: East End households needing ongoing food support plus connections to rent/utility or social service resources.

• How to get help:

  • Phone: 412-661-7222 (Ministry Center)

  • Address: Ministry Center behind St. James Church, Wilkinsburg, plus pantry sites in Homewood and Wilkinsburg

  • Intake: Call for pantry times or visit during scheduled distributions.

• Key details & advantages: Serves multiple neighborhoods through three legacy churches; published schedules for pantries and home delivery in local guides. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

• Trust signals: Featured in local resource lists and regional giving platforms for its merged social ministries and long East End presence. (pittsburghgives.org)

  
  

2. Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish & St. Vincent de Paul (Troy Hill)

Snapshot: Historic North Side parish whose St. Vincent de Paul conference offers emergency financial help and basic needs support. (Shrines of Pittsburgh)

• Primary assistance:

  • Emergency financial help (often rent, utilities, basic bills)

  • Food and essentials via SVDP referrals

• Best for: North Side residents with urgent bills or short-term financial crises.

• How to get help:

  • Parish phone: 412-231-2994

  • Address: 1700 Harpster St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212

  • Intake: Call, leave a message with your need; a volunteer calls back.

• Key details & advantages: Part of the wider St. Vincent de Paul network across Allegheny County, which commonly assists with transportation, emergency financial aid, and other basics. (Need Help Paying Bills)

• Trust signals: Listed by the diocesan St. Vincent de Paul network and shrine parish outreach as a local emergency-aid contact. (Shrines of Pittsburgh)

  
  

3. The Lord’s Church (Monroeville)

Snapshot: Suburban Pittsburgh church with a dedicated “Get Help” hub pointing people to food, utilities, rehab, mental health, and other supports. (tlcnewlife.org)

• Primary assistance:

  • Food insecurity resources

  • Help with utilities and household needs (through partner programs)

  • Christian counseling/rehab and mental health referrals

• Best for: Families on the east side of the metro area who need guidance to multiple types of help, not just one bill.

• How to get help:

  • Website: tlcnewlife.org/help

  • Address: 2517 Haymaker Rd., Monroeville, PA 15146

  • Intake: Start via online resource hub, then call or visit.

• Key details & advantages: Their help page clearly organizes resources by need (food, medical, housing, utilities), making it easier to navigate when you’re overwhelmed. (tlcnewlife.org)

• Trust signals: Longstanding congregation in the region with a public commitment to “freely give” through practical aid and referrals.

  
  

4. Mount Ararat Baptist Church / Mount Ararat Community Activity Center (MACAC)

Snapshot: Large East End Black church whose nonprofit arm runs a major community food and clothing bank. (macac-inc.org)

• Primary assistance:

  • Monthly community food bank

  • Clothing and basic needs items

• Best for: East Liberty/Highland Park/Hill District residents needing regular food and clothing support.

• How to get help:

  • Food bank address: 745 N. Negley Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

  • Typical hours: 2nd Saturday of each month (check MACAC site or social for updates). (Facebook)

• Key details & advantages: MACAC is a 501(c)(3) established in 1990 specifically to serve East End families through outreach and programs. (Idealist)

• Trust signals: Partnered with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and widely listed in local food-resource directories. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

  
  

5. East Liberty Presbyterian Church & East End Cooperative Ministry (ELPC/EECM)

Snapshot: “Cathedral of Hope” hosting interfaith East End Cooperative Ministry, which runs food pantry, shelter, and emergency services out of the church campus. (pawp.uscourts.gov)

• Primary assistance:

  • Emergency groceries and food pantry

  • Soup kitchen/meals

  • Emergency shelter and transitional housing via EECM

  • Free clothing through Chapel Market (clothing bank) (Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank)

• Best for: East End and city residents needing food, shelter, and case-management style support.

• How to get help:

  • Church phone: 412-441-3800

  • Address: 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

  • Intake: Call or visit EECM/ELPC during listed pantry or meal times.

• Key details & advantages: EECM has decades-long history of feeding people, providing shelter, and offering transitional programs directly out of the church. (eecm.org)

• Trust signals: Frequently cited in court and county resource lists as a key East End food and shelter provider. (pawp.uscourts.gov)

  
  

6. Salvation Army – Homewood-Brushton Worship & Service Center

Snapshot: Salvation Army corps that functions as both a church and a social-service site with food and financial assistance. (The Salvation Army USA)

• Primary assistance:

  • Emergency food

  • Rent and utility assistance (as funding allows)

  • Seasonal and holiday support

• Best for: Homewood/Brushton and East End residents who need a mix of spiritual and practical help.

• How to get help:

  • Phone: 412-242-1434

  • Address: 8020 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15221 (The Salvation Army USA)

  • Intake: Call or visit during business hours; documentation for bills usually required.

• Key details & advantages: Part of the Western PA Salvation Army division, which is heavily involved in rent and utility assistance across the region. (Amazon Web Services, Inc.)

• Trust signals: Listed on official divisional site as an active Worship & Service Center with social services. (The Salvation Army USA)

  
  

7. Salvation Army – Pittsburgh Temple Worship & Service Center

Snapshot: South-side-of-the-city corps offering worship plus case-managed financial help and food support. (The Salvation Army USA)

• Primary assistance:

  • Food pantry and emergency groceries

  • Limited rent and utility assistance

  • Seasonal programs for families

• Best for: South Hills/Brookline and nearby residents needing structured bill-pay help.

• How to get help:

  • Phone: 412-207-2127

  • Address: 1060 McNeilly Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15226 (The Salvation Army USA)

• Key details & advantages: Part of a network that emphasizes sending payments directly to landlords/utility companies when possible. (Amazon Web Services, Inc.)

• Trust signals: Included in official Salvation Army location finder as an active worship and service site. (The Salvation Army USA)

  
  

8. Salvation Army – North Boroughs & Northside Worship & Service Centers

Snapshot: Two Salvation Army church sites serving northern Pittsburgh with food, bill-pay help, and case management. (The Salvation Army USA)

• Primary assistance:

  • Emergency food and pantry services

  • Rent and utility assistance for qualifying households

• Best for: North Side and North Hills residents struggling with groceries or shut-off/eviction notices.

• How to get help:

  • North Boroughs: 327 S. Home Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15202 – 412-415-1726

  • Northside center listed via Salvation Army’s Pittsburgh locations page. (The Salvation Army USA)

• Key details & advantages: Shared Western PA division resources, with documented emergency food bank and community meal offerings at nearby Allegheny Valley Corps. (The Salvation Army USA)

• Trust signals: Featured in municipal resource guides for utility and rent assistance. (Tarentum Borough)

  
  

9. Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh

Snapshot: Hill District–based church investing heavily in food access and neighborhood stability, including plans to reopen a community grocery store. (Asset Map)

• Primary assistance:

  • Community food distributions and partnerships with local pantries

  • Emerging grocery-access initiative through purchase of a former market site

• Best for: Hill District residents worried about food deserts and needing regular food access.

• How to get help:

  • Website: macedoniapgh.org

  • Address: Hill District (see site for exact address and events) (macedoniapgh)

• Key details & advantages: The church has taken a lead role in preserving neighborhood grocery access and participates in citywide meal-packing efforts. (plf.org)

• Trust signals: Covered by local TV news for its grocery project and community-support work. (WPXI)

  
  

10. Mount Ararat Community Activity Center Food & Clothing Bank

(Faith-based nonprofit arm of Mount Ararat Baptist, treated here as a church-anchored ministry.)

Snapshot: Standalone nonprofit tied to a major church, operating a well-known food and clothing bank for the East End. (Findhelp)

• Primary assistance:

  • Food pantry (supplemental groceries)

  • Clothing and basic household items

• Best for: Anyone in the East End needing food/clothing with minimal barriers.

• How to get help:

  • Address: 745 N. Negley Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

  • Phone: 412-441-1852 (per WhyHunger listing) (networks.whyhunger.org)

• Key details & advantages: Open monthly with clearly published hours; centered on dignity and community outreach.

• Trust signals: Included in national WhyHunger and local assistance databases as a verified food pantry site. (networks.whyhunger.org)

  
  

11. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh – Crisis & Basic Needs

Snapshot: Catholic but open to all, providing rent, utility, and basic-needs assistance across southwestern Pennsylvania. (Catholic Charities)

• Primary assistance:

  • Rent, utility, and deposit assistance (time-limited)

  • Food, supplies, and case management

• Best for: Low-income households (typically under 200% of poverty level) needing structured financial help plus long-term planning.

• How to get help:

  • Phone (main office): 412-456-6999

  • Address: 111 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

  • Intake: Call or see “Basic Needs Assistance” and “Crisis Case Management” pages.

• Trust signals: Over a century of operation; widely cited in local directories and findhelp.org for utility and rent support. (Findhelp)

  
  

12. North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) – Interfaith

Snapshot: Interfaith-based nonprofit serving northern Allegheny County with food pantries, utilities, and rental assistance. (North Hills Community Outreach)

• Primary assistance:

  • Multiple food pantries

  • Utilities and rental assistance through CAP, LIHEAP, Dollar Energy, and crisis funds

• Best for: Northern Allegheny residents needing both food and help navigating energy-assistance programs.

• How to get help:

  • Website: nhco.org → “Get Help”

  • Phone: see site for office numbers by location.

• Trust signals: Operating since 1987; highlighted in municipal and nonprofit write-ups for “people helping people” and utility aid. (North Hills Community Outreach)

  
  

13. Light of Life Rescue Mission

Snapshot: Christian rescue mission on the North Side offering shelter, meals, and — through a new outreach hub — a food pantry, free store, and furniture bank. (Light of Life Rescue Mission)

• Primary assistance:

  • Emergency shelter and meals

  • Food pantry and free store

  • Furniture and household essentials for families stabilizing after homelessness

• Best for: Individuals and families experiencing homelessness or on the brink, especially on the North Side.

• How to get help:

  • Website: lightoflife.org

  • North Side campus (see site for addresses and hours).

• Trust signals: Covered by major local media for its “one-stop” outreach hub expansion and long history with Pittsburgh’s homeless community. (Light of Life Rescue Mission)

  
  

14. JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry & SOS Pittsburgh

Snapshot: Jewish-rooted food pantry that also runs SOS Pittsburgh, providing one-time financial assistance for housing, utilities, and other critical needs. (jfcspgh.org)

• Primary assistance:

  • Monthly food pantry access

  • Emergency food for people outside core ZIP codes

  • One-time financial assistance for rent, utilities, and bills via SOS Pittsburgh

• Best for: Squirrel Hill and city residents needing both food and a one-time boost to keep a crisis from spiraling.

• How to get help:

  • Phone (pantry): 412-421-2708

  • Website: jfcspgh.org

• Trust signals: Featured in community news as a critical “stopgap” program preventing downward spirals for families in crisis. (Jewish Chronicle)

  
  

15. Jewish Assistance Fund (JAF)

Snapshot: Emergency financial assistance fund for the Western PA Jewish community, focused on core necessities. (jewishassistancefund.org)

• Primary assistance:

  • Grants (no repayment) for food, clothing, housing, utilities, transportation, and medical bills

• Best for: Jewish individuals and families in Western PA facing sudden financial shocks.

• How to get help:

  • Phone: 412-521-3237

  • Website: jewishassistancefund.org → “Need Assistance”

• Trust signals: Operating since 1985; cornerstone of the JFunds collaborative, highlighted by multiple community partners as a key emergency-aid fund. (JFunds Pittsburgh)

  
  

Other Important Helplines and Resources in Pittsburgh

• PA 211 Southwest – Dial 2-1-1 or visit the PA 211 website for a master list of food, housing, and bill-pay help across Allegheny County.

• Allegheny County DHS – County Department of Human Services lists community resources and disability-friendly support options, including references to Lazarus Fund and basic-needs programs. (Allegheny County)

• Lazarus Fund (Pittsburgh Presbytery) – Provides rent, mortgage, security-deposit, and utility help for Allegheny County residents via local Presbyterian congregations; you can call a nearby Presbyterian church and ask about applying. (pghpresbytery.org)

• National 988 Lifeline – Dial 988 for mental-health crises, especially if money stress is triggering anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

  
  

Closing Thoughts

If you’re behind on rent, staring at a shut-off notice, or trying to stretch one more meal from an empty pantry, you’re not failing — the system is just brutal. These Pittsburgh churches and faith-based organizations exist specifically to keep people from falling through the cracks.

Pick one that fits your situation and call or visit this week. Ask directly:

“I’m struggling with [rent/food/utilities]. What help is available, and what do I need to bring?”

Then share this guide with anyone else in Pittsburgh who’s stressing about bills or groceries. The more people know where to go, the less anyone has to face it alone.