Assistance Resources

Welcome to the City of Bellmead's dedicated page for assistance programs aimed at supporting our community members. In challenging times, it's essential to know where to turn for help with utility bills, access to food pantries, and assistance with housing. Below is a list of agencies and organizations that provide crucial support to our citizens.

Utility Bill Assistance:

  1. Texas Utility Help
    • Texas Utility Help can give financial assistance to qualified Texas homeowners and renters with low income. Eligible expenses include electricity, gas, propane, water, and wastewater.
  2. EOAC Waco
    • EOAC Waco helps eligible low-income households with their utility bills, providing financial assistance during times of need. Check the program guidelines and apply to receive support.

  3. Tri-Cities Ministries

    • The Journey Together program provides emergency assistance and ongoing support to community members in Bellmead, Lacy Lakeview and the Elm Mott/Chalk Bluff region. Each household may receive $75 of assistance annually with rent, utilities, food, and/or gasoline/bus passes for job interviews and doctors’ appointments.

Food Pantries/Meal Assistance:

  1. Church of the Open Door Food Pantry
    • The Food Pantry serves those with food needs with limited assistance Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm. 
  2. The Shepherd's Heart
    • Provides 18 mobile food distributions every month in the "food desert" areas of the greater Waco area.
    • Food Pantry in Bellmead on the grounds of St. Paul Lutheran Church, open 4 days each week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) noon to 4pm.
    • Deliver groceries to over 1,100 homebound seniors twice each month (all accomplished by volunteers).
    • Created food pantries in 7 local schools to provide food for students while in school and to take home.
    • Working with Waco Family Medicine to pilot a Food Rx program as a way to improve patients' food security and health status through integrated services.
    • Working with Prosper Waco, a local collaborative to develop programs to empower students, their families and adults out of a lifestyle of poverty.

  3. Meals on Wheels

    • Meals on Wheels Waco is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing support services for the older adults in the City of Waco as well as Falls, Hill and McLennan Counties. They deliver Meals on Wheels for over 850 homebound elderly, provide lunches for 12 Senior Centers, and operate a transit program in McLennan County.

Medical Assistance:

  1. McLennan County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)
    • Chapter 61, Health and Safety Code, passed by the 1st Called Special Session of the Texas 69th Legislature (1985), is intended to ensure that needy Texas residents, who do not qualify for other state or federal health care assistance programs, receive health care services through the County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP).

Housing Assistance:

  1. EOAC Waco - Weatherization
    •  The Weatherization Assistance Program provides assistance to low-income households to promote energy conservation and to reduce the impact of high utility costs. Weatherization may perform minor repairs to walls, windows, doors, ceilings and floors to prevent hot summer air or cold winter air from entering the home. Weatherization measures strive to assist you to maintain a more comfortable temperature level in your home and save you energy dollars.
    • Homes that need Weatherization will typically have cracks, holes, and other places where air leaks in and out. EOAC is required to explain all the possible services provided by the Weatherization Assistance Program as part of its client education. Work done on each home will be different based on the homes condition, amount of energy used to heat and cool the residence and program guideline set by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
  2. NeighborWorks Waco

NeighborWorks offers a range of services aimed at assisting residents of the City of Bellmead. These services include:

Credit Counseling:

    • One-on-one sessions with counselors.
    • Review of accurate credit reports with scores.
    • Development of an action plan to address credit items.
    • Skills training for effective credit management.

Homeownership Counseling:

    • Meetings with Homeownership Planners for personalized guidance.
    • Discussions on mortgage credit reports, household budgets, etc.
    • Development of action plans to help achieve homeownership goals.
    • Exploration of programs and services that fit individual needs.

Education Workshops:

    • Financial Freedom Workshop for money management skills.
    • Homebuyer Education taught by local industry professionals.
    • Hammers & Heels for hands-on home maintenance experience.
    • Workshops are free, and some include meals and supplies.

eHome America:

    • Partnered with a third-party provider for online Homebuyer Education.
    • Courses include one-on-one phone calls with housing counselors.

Rental Properties:

    • Single-family homes and duplexes available in Waco and surrounding areas.
    • Rental application process for interested individuals.

New Construction:

    • Sustainable homes recognized for longevity.
    • Variety of 3 bedroom/2 bathroom plans or custom home options.
    • Information on subdivisions available.

Lending Services:

    • Down Payment and/or Closing Cost Assistance Loans.
    • First Mortgages with various loan options.
    • Assistance provided to help clients achieve homeownership dreams.

Education/Child Services

  1. EOAC Waco Head Start/Early Head Start
    • EOAC Head Start and Early Head Start offers one of the best early childhood programs serving McLennan and Falls Counties. EOAC offers Early Head Start services for Infants and Toddlers 0-3 and Head Start Pre-School Education and Family Services for families with 3-5 year old children who have not entered kindergarten.

EOAC Head Start/Early Head Start’s goal is to engage families and help ensure that our most vulnerable children receive the very best in education, health services and socialization so that they enter school ready to learn and ready to contribute. Both programs offer services for children with disabilities.

Additional Resources:

  1. FindHelp.org
    • Find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.
  2. 211 Texas:
    • Contact: Dial 2-1-1
    • 211 Texas is a statewide helpline connecting individuals with community resources. Call 2-1-1 to speak with a trained specialist who can assist you in finding the help you need.

In times of hardship, these resources aim to support and strengthen the City of Bellmead community. Please contact the respective agencies directly for the most up-to-date information on available programs and eligibility criteria.