Community & Resources Map:
Find Help Before
You Need It
When systems are disrupted, knowing where to turn makes the difference. Verified shelters, food networks, hotlines, mutual aid, legal aid, and digital tools — for any scenario, anywhere in the U.S.
Community
The Most Important Number to Know
Before You Search — Dial 211
211 connects you to a trained specialist who knows your local area and can direct you to the exact resource you need — whether that's a food pantry, emergency shelter, utility assistance, mental health support, or crisis intervention.
Available in all 50 states (coverage varies). You can also search 211.org online. Multilingual support available in most areas.
This guide is organized to help you understand what type of support to look for and who to contact in each category. Use 211 first when urgency is high.
Disaster Assistance
FEMA Helpline
1-800-621-3362
Apply for disaster assistance, check status, or find a recovery center. 7 days a week, 7am–11pm ET. Also at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Local Resources
United Way 2-1-1
Dial 2-1-1
Free, confidential connection to local food, shelter, health, and crisis services. Available 24/7 in most states. Also at 211.org.
Crisis & Mental Health
Disaster Distress Helpline
1-800-985-5990
Call or text for crisis counseling after any disaster or emergency. 24/7, multilingual. Spanish: press 2. Also text "TalkWithUs."
Suicide & Crisis
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text 988
Free, confidential emotional support for people in distress or crisis. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Chat at 988lifeline.org.
Red Cross Shelter
American Red Cross
1-800-733-2767
Find open shelters, disaster assistance, and emergency family services in your area. Also find shelters via the Red Cross app.
Older Adults
Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116
Connect older adults and caregivers to local support services, transportation, and emergency resources. M–F 9am–8pm ET.
Shelter & Safe Housing
01Emergency and temporary housing resources for displacement, disaster, or sudden instability — whether staying put or needing to move fast.
- Ready.gov — Emergency Shelter Guidance Federal shelter-in-place and evacuation planning guidance
- American Red Cross — Disaster Assistance Locate open shelters near you in real time
- DisasterAssistance.gov — FEMA Applications Apply for individual housing assistance after declared disasters
Food & Essential Supplies
02Food banks, relief kitchens, and supply networks providing meals, water, hygiene items, and essentials when supply chains or income are disrupted.
- Feeding America — Find Your Local Food Bank 200+ food banks nationwide, searchable by zip code
- Salvation Army — Disaster Relief Services Hot meals, cleanup kits, and emotional and spiritual support
- 211.org — Local Food & Basic Needs Dial 2-1-1 or search online for your closest pantry
Medical & Mental Health
03Access to urgent care, free clinics, prescriptions, and mental health support — especially important during prolonged disruption or displacement.
- HRSA — Find a Health Center Federally funded clinics serving all patients regardless of ability to pay
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline 24/7 crisis counseling — call or text 1-800-985-5990
- ACL — Older Adults & Disability Emergency Resources Specialized preparedness for vulnerable populations
Alerts & Communication
04Information hubs and alert systems that keep you connected to verified updates and emergency broadcasts when normal communication fails.
- Ready.gov — Emergency Alerts & Warnings Sign up for Wireless Emergency Alerts and IPAWS notifications
- FEMA — Response & Recovery Resources Planning guides, shelter-in-place protocols, coordination tools
- NOAA National Weather Service Real-time alerts for severe weather, flooding, and wildfires
Legal Aid & Documentation
05Free legal assistance for disaster survivors, immigration situations, and documentation emergencies — including resources for undocumented community members.
- LawHelp.org — Free Legal Aid by State Find free legal help for housing, benefits, and disaster recovery
- FEMA Disaster Legal Services Free legal assistance for low-income disaster survivors
- Immigration Advocates Network — Legal Directory Find free immigration legal services near you
Global & Relocation Support
06International organizations and cross-border support networks for Americans considering relocation, managing visa situations, or needing humanitarian assistance abroad.
- UN OCHA — Humanitarian Coordination Global crisis coordination and country-level response data
- U.S. State Dept. — Overseas Emergency Services Consular help for Americans abroad during emergencies
- UNHCR — Refugee & Displacement Support Protection, resettlement, and legal status assistance globally
Your Neighbors Are Your First Responders
- MutualAidHub.org — searchable map of networks by zip code
- Mutual Aid Disaster Relief — grassroots disaster response nationally
- Freedge.org — community fridge locator across the U.S.
- AFSC — How to Start a Network — step-by-step organizing guide
- 211.org — local volunteer opportunities and community programs
- Search "[your city] mutual aid" on social media or Google for hyper-local networks
- Grocery runs and food delivery for those unable to leave home
- Transportation to medical appointments or evacuation routes
- Emergency supply sharing — water, medications, hygiene items
- Neighborhood watch and community safety coordination
- Know Your Rights information for immigrants and renters
- Emotional support, childcare, and community connection
- Tool libraries, seed sharing, and skill exchange networks
This guide is a reference resource, not a live locator. Use it to understand which types of support to seek and where to look when navigating uncertainty. Bookmark it, print it, and share it — the people around you are your most important resource. Knowing your neighbors before a crisis is the single most effective preparedness action you can take.
Continue Your Readiness Planning
Related Resilience Paths
Data sources: FEMA Disaster Assistance Programs · Feeding America Network 2025 · United Way 211 Network · SAMHSA Crisis Resources · Mutual Aid Hub Network Data 2026 — all verified Q1 2026. | ← Back to All Resilience Paths
Common Questions
Community Resources: Frequently Asked Questions
What number do I call for emergency food and shelter help?
Dial 211 from any phone in the U.S. — it's free, confidential, and available 24/7 in most states. It connects you to a trained specialist who knows your local area and can direct you to food banks, emergency shelter, utility assistance, mental health support, and more. You can also search 211.org online.
How do I find a food bank near me?
Use Feeding America's food bank locator — it covers 200+ food banks searchable by zip code. Many food banks serve all community members regardless of income documentation or immigration status. You can also dial 211 to be connected to your closest pantry by a local specialist.
What is a mutual aid network and how do I find one?
Mutual aid networks are grassroots, community-organized support systems that share food, transportation, supplies, and care when government assistance is slow or unavailable. Over 800 are active across the U.S. in 2026. Find one at MutualAidHub.org — a searchable map by zip code — or search "[your city] mutual aid" to find local groups.
What FEMA number do I call after a disaster?
Call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 to apply for disaster assistance, check application status, or locate a recovery center. Available 7 days a week, 7am–11pm ET. You can also apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You must be in a federally declared disaster area to qualify for FEMA individual assistance.
Are there community resources for undocumented immigrants during emergencies?
Yes. Many food banks, free clinics, and mutual aid networks serve all community members regardless of documentation status. Immigration Advocates Network maintains a directory of free immigration legal services. HRSA-funded health centers serve patients regardless of ability to pay or immigration status. Community fridges and mutual aid networks typically have no documentation requirements.
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