Living here
Food, housing and help
Free food, energy and rent help, crisis lines, low-cost clinics and support services in Benton and Franklin counties, plus ways to volunteer.
In danger right now? Call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (press 2 for Spanish) or the local crisis line, 509-792-1747, any time.
Not sure where to start? Dial 211
Washington 211 is free, confidential and available around the clock. A person helps you find food, housing, utility help, health care and more, in English and Spanish.
Food
- Tri-Cities Food Bank serves Kennewick, Richland, West Richland and Benton City households. It cannot serve Pasco residents.
- Pasco and Franklin County: use Second Harvest’s Food Finder to find pantries, mobile markets and meal sites near you.
- WIC and school meals: ask your school district about free and reduced-price meals; WIC is offered at Tri-Cities Community Health in Pasco.
Catholic Charities (Richland)
Counseling and family services from Catholic Charities in Richland.
Community Action Connections
The Benton-Franklin community action agency in Pasco: home energy help (LIHEAP) and other assistance for income-eligible households in both counties.
Domestic Violence Services of Benton & Franklin Counties
Emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis line, legal advocacy and support groups for people experiencing domestic violence.
SARC: Support, Advocacy & Resource Center
A Richland advocacy center for victims of sexual violence and other crimes and their families, with a 24-hour line.
Second Harvest Tri-Cities
The regional food distribution center in Pasco that supplies dozens of food banks, pantries and meal programs.
Tri-Cities Food Bank: Kennewick
The Kennewick branch of the Tri-Cities Food Bank, open weekday mornings.
Tri-Cities Food Bank: Richland
The Richland branch of the Tri-Cities Food Bank on Wellsian Way.
Bills, rent and housing
- Heating and power bills: Community Action Connections runs LIHEAP energy assistance for households at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines; registration opens each fall. 720 W. Court St., Pasco, 509-545-4042.
- Rent help and homelessness: call 211 for current programs; funding opens and closes during the year.
- Foreclosure: the Homeowner’s HOPE hotline (1-888-995-4673) offers free counseling around the clock.
Health care and counseling
- Tri-Cities Community Health (715 W. Court St., Pasco, 509-545-6505): medical, dental and behavioral health with a sliding fee scale; accepts Apple Health.
- Behavioral health agencies listed by the City of Kennewick include Comprehensive Healthcare (509-412-1051), Lourdes Counseling Center (509-943-9104), First Step Community Counseling (509-735-6900), Lutheran Community Services (509-735-6446) and Catholic Charities (509-946-4645).
Safety and crisis lines
| Need | Call |
|---|---|
| Mental health or suicide crisis | 988, or local crisis line 509-792-1747 (24 hours). Text HOME to 741741. |
| Domestic violence | Domestic Violence Services of Benton & Franklin Counties, 509-582-9841 (24 hours); National Hotline 1-800-799-7233 |
| Sexual assault and crime victims | SARC, 509-374-5391 (24 hours) |
| Teens who need a safe place | My Friend’s Place teen shelter, 509-783-5734 |
| Grief support | Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, 509-783-7416 |
Volunteer
- United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties runs the region’s volunteer matching. Start at uwbfco.org.
- Second Harvest needs volunteers to sort and pack food at its Pasco warehouse.
- Benton County Emergency Services trains community volunteers for disasters.
- Our events calendar lists community cleanups and fundraisers.
Official sources: City of Kennewick: community resources · Washington 211 · Tri-Cities Food Bank · Community Action Connections