Top 15 Nonprofits in Philadelphia Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2027
Philly rent keeps creeping up, PECO bills hit hard every winter, and a shutoff notice can show up right when your paycheck runs short. If you're behind, you're not the only one, and it's not a personal failure. Greater Philadelphia has nonprofits that help with rent, utility bills, groceries, and free eviction defense.
This guide covers the whole metro: Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania, Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties in South Jersey, and New Castle County in Delaware. We focused on groups with structured, real-world help, not just general advice.
Most programs serve specific counties, and funding opens and closes during the year. Call early, ask what's available right now, and keep your ID, lease, and bills ready. Details reflect what each organization publishes as of October 2026.
How We Chose These Nonprofits in Philadelphia
We included 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based charities like Catholic Charities. Each one serves the metro, runs a structured aid program, and publishes clear contact info. We ranked them on Impact, Accessibility, Reputation, Transparency, and Equity (serving people regardless of faith, status, or background).
We gave extra weight to rent and utility help, not just food, and spread picks across the region's three states. We did not use Google ratings; trust signals come from each organization's own published information as of October 2026.
1. Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF)
Grants that stop or reverse PECO and Philadelphia Water shutoffs.
Primary assistance: Utility grants for PECO and Philadelphia Water Department customers
Best for: Philadelphia households facing termination or already shut off
How to get help: Online inquiry form with a recent bill; 215-972-5170; uesfacts.org
PECO and the Water Department match each UESF dollar, and the grant has to bring your balance to zero. You can get a grant once every two years, and PECO grants require income at or below 150% of the poverty level.
Trust signals: Established in 1983; office at 743 N. 24th St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia.
2. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS)
Free civil legal help for renters and utility customers.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, utility shutoff help through its Energy Unit, public benefits
Best for: Low-income Philadelphians with an eviction case, a shutoff, or a benefits problem
How to get help: Center City 215-981-3700; North Philadelphia 215-227-2400; clsphila.org
CLS has offices at 1424 Chestnut St. and 1410 W. Erie Ave. Bring your court papers, lease, or shutoff notice when you reach out.
Trust signals: Providing free legal services in Philadelphia since 1966.
3. TURN and the Philly Tenant Hotline
A tenant-run hotline and the doorway to free eviction lawyers.
Primary assistance: Tenant counseling, legal information, Right to Counsel referrals
Best for: Philly renters with an eviction notice, a court date, or repair issues
How to get help: Hotline 267-443-2500; phillytenant.org
Low-income tenants in ZIP codes 19121, 19124, 19131, 19132, 19134, 19139, 19141, 19144, 19153, and 19154 have the right to free representation in eviction cases. Call as soon as you have a court date; don't wait for a callback.
Trust signals: Online Right to Counsel intake routes to the Philadelphia Eviction Prevention Project.
4. Philabundance
The region's big food bank, with a pantry map for every neighborhood.
Primary assistance: Food pantries, emergency kitchens, same-day food and produce distributions
Best for: Anyone in Greater Philadelphia or South Jersey who needs groceries this week
How to get help: (215) 339-0900; Find Food map
Search by address and filter for pantries, meals, or same-day distributions. Hours vary by site, so check before you go.
Trust signals: Founded in 1984; covers nine counties across two states; a Feeding America member.
5. Share Food Program
Philly's other major food bank, with pantries, senior boxes, and community fridges.
Primary assistance: Pantries, home delivery, food for kids and seniors
Best for: Philadelphia residents, seniors, and families with kids
How to get help: (215) 223-2220; Find a Food Site
Share is based at 2901 W. Hunting Park Ave. Its site finder lists pantries and senior sites near you.
Trust signals: IRS-recognized 501(c)(3); posts its financial statements online.
6. Community Action Agency of Delaware County (CAADC)
Delaware County's go-to for rent and utility crises.
Primary assistance: Homeless prevention with rental assistance, emergency utility help, shelter
Best for: Delaware County renters behind on rent or facing a shutoff
How to get help: Social Services 610-874-8451; caadc.org
Help depends on eligibility and current funding, so call to ask what's open. The main office is at 1414 Meetinghouse Rd., Boothwyn.
Trust signals: Serving Delaware County residents for over 47 years; posts an annual report.
7. Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC)
Bucks County's anti-poverty agency for rent, utility, and food help.
Primary assistance: One-time rent and utility shutoff help, LIHEAP, food pantries
Best for: Bucks County households under its income guideline
How to get help: Behind on rent: Bucks County Housing Link 1-800-810-4434; shutoffs: Quakertown 215-536-0353, Doylestown 267-733-0529, Bristol 215-781-2661; bcoc.org
The income guideline is $49,720 for a household of three or $60,000 for four. For heating help, call the LIHEAP line at 215-536-5491.
Trust signals: Reports 469 households avoided eviction and 170 got shutoff help in 2024–25.
8. Manna on Main Street
A Lansdale nonprofit that pays one-time rent or utility emergencies.
Primary assistance: Emergency Financial Assistance of $500–$1,000, food pantry, soup kitchen
Best for: North Penn and Montgomery County residents with a one-time hardship
How to get help: 606 E. Main St., Lansdale; 215-855-5454; mannaonmain.org
Expect a reply within two weeks, and checks go straight to your landlord or utility. If you're at risk of homelessness, Manna points you to the Your Way Home Helpline at 610-278-3522.
Trust signals: Serving the community since 1981; payments made directly to vendors.
9. Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP)
Free eviction help in the four suburban Pennsylvania counties.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, landlord-tenant help, foreclosure help
Best for: Low-income renters in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties
How to get help: Helpline 877-429-5994, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; lasp.org
Its Regional Housing Unit handles landlord-tenant cases. The sooner you call, the more time they have to prep your case.
Trust signals: A dedicated regional housing unit; online applications also accepted.
10. Chester County Food Bank
The hub feeding Chester County through more than 100 partners.
Primary assistance: Food through partner pantries, SNAP help
Best for: Chester County residents who need groceries or help applying for SNAP
How to get help: 610.873.6000; Food Finder
Use the Food Finder to locate the nearest pantry. The office is at 650 Pennsylvania Dr., Exton, open weekdays 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Trust signals: Publishes its financials; works with pantries, shelters, churches, and schools.
11. Catholic Charities of South Jersey
Rent and utility help for Camden and Gloucester county families.
Primary assistance: Rent and utility assistance, SNAP enrollment help
Best for: South Jersey renters in a temporary financial crisis
How to get help: Camden County 856-342-4100; Gloucester County 856-845-9200; catholiccharitiessouthjersey.org
Call to see if funds are available, then schedule an eligibility appointment. Services are open to everyone, regardless of religion, race, gender, or immigration status.
Trust signals: Posts eligibility guidelines and a 2025 annual report.
12. South Jersey Legal Services (SJLS)
Free eviction defense across South Jersey.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, repairs and habitability, lockouts
Best for: Low-income tenants in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, and nearby counties
How to get help: 1-800-496-4570, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; sjlslaw.org
SJLS can help with nonpayment cases and lease-violation evictions, from advice up to in-court representation.
Trust signals: Over 55 years of experience; part of the Legal Services of New Jersey network.
13. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Wilmington
Basic needs and energy help for New Castle County.
Primary assistance: Rent, mortgage, and utility help; LIHEAP; food pantry
Best for: Delaware residents with a documented need for help with rent or energy bills
How to get help: New Castle County office, 2601 W. 4th St., Wilmington; 302-655-9624; ccwilm.org
Expect a personal interview and financial assessment. LIHEAP heating applications open in July for the October–March season.
Trust signals: Posts an annual impact report; meets United Way membership standards.
14. Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI)
Delaware's statewide free legal aid group.
Primary assistance: Subsidized housing evictions, lockouts, fair housing
Best for: Low-income Delawareans, seniors, and people with disabilities
How to get help: New Castle County 302-575-0660 or 800-292-7980; declasi.org
CLASI focuses on Section 8, public housing, and other subsidized tenants facing eviction or subsidy loss. Have your notices with you when you call.
Trust signals: Founded in 1946; Delaware's oldest and largest civil legal aid group.
15. Food Bank of Delaware
Delaware's food bank, with food closets, mobile pantries, and SNAP outreach.
Primary assistance: Food through partners and mobile pantries, SNAP outreach
Best for: New Castle County households who need groceries
How to get help: (302) 292-1305; fbd.org
Food is available through local food closets, mobile pantries, and schools. It also offers financial coaching and job training.
Trust signals: Posts its financials online; facilities in Newark and Milford.
Other Important Helplines and Resources in Philadelphia
211: Dial 211 anywhere in the metro, or search PA 211, NJ 211, or Delaware 211.
PA COMPASS: Apply for SNAP, cash assistance, LIHEAP, and Medical Assistance at compass.dhs.pa.gov.
LSNJLAW Hotline: Low-income New Jersey residents can call 1-888-576-5529 for free legal advice, or visit lsnj.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Money stress is heavy. Call or text 988 any time, or visit 988lifeline.org.
Related Guides
Looking for more options in and around Philadelphia? These guides cover churches and nonprofits helping with rent, food, and utility bills:
Closing Thoughts
Falling behind in Greater Philly doesn't mean you messed up. Rent, PECO, and groceries are stacking up for a lot of families right now. Pick two or three groups from this list that serve your county, call early, and keep copies of your ID, lease, and bills ready.
If you've been served eviction papers, call legal aid or the tenant hotline the same day. You deserve help, and asking for it is a power move.
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