211 has your back Charles County, for communities like Waldorf, Saint Charles, Bennsville, Accokeek, Hughesville, Indian Head, Potomac Heights, Pisgah, Holly Haven and other nearby cities.
Find food in Charles County
The Charles County Food Connection is a collection of local organizations committed to making it easy to find food pantries in the area. The one-stop food access effort makes it easy to find drive-up distribution events and pantry locations in Charles County.
You can view the list of 40 pantries in cities throughout Charles County, like Waldorf, Nanjemoy, La Plata, White Plains, Hughesville, Port Tobacco, Bryans Road, Indian Head and Pomfret. Choose the best way to find food near you:
- Find food pantries by your ZIP code.
- View the calendar of upcoming food events.
- Call 2-1-1
- Download a list of over 40 pantries.
Summer Meals: Lunch on Us
If you need help with lunch during the summer, the Charles County Public Schools offer free hot meals for any child between the ages of 2 and 18. You do not have to be a resident of the county.
The Lunch on Us program is available during summer, and the food must be eaten on-site. Check with the school district for the dates and locations.
Help with Government Assistance Programs (DSS)
The Charles County Department of Social Services can help connect you to government programs that can help your family and also to specialized programs including:
- SNAP (food stamps)
- TCA (Temporary Cash Assistance and TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)
- Emergency Cash Assistance (EAFC)
- Foster parenting
- Fatherhood
- Medical
- Child Protective Services
If you have a question about child support, food stamps or another individual matter, call the customer call center at 1-800-332-6347.
The Department of Social Services is located at:
200 Kent Avenue
La Plata, Maryland 20646
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Main Number: 301-392-6400
Call Center for Individual Cases: 1-800-332-6347
Supporting dads
The Charles County Fatherhood program helps men who want to be engaged in their child's life. You can volunteer to participate or be referred through a local community partner, the Courts or the detention center.
The program helps dads overcome barriers through a six-week program offering:
- life skills
- support
- vocational training
- information and resources
Topics include:
- understanding the role of a father
- stress management
- coping as a single dad
- child support
- becoming self-sufficient
- developing life skills
It's a free program. Get connected to the Charles County Fatherhood Program.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Charles County
The Health Department in Charles County provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support and healthy supplemental foods through WIC. The program helps women, infant and children have a healthier future.
The program is available to qualifying moms-to-be, postpartum moms and children. The program is available to:
- Pregnant women and up to 6 weeks after pregnancy
- Postpartum women up to 6 months after a child is born.
- Breastfeeding moms up to a baby's first birthday.
- Infants up to their first birthday.
- Children up to age 5.
Other qualification guidelines apply.
There are offices throughout Maryland, including Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary's County and in Lexington Park, Solomons Medical Offices and the Nanjemoy Community Center. Availability may vary by location.
Find out if you qualify and learn when you can stop by a nearby location.
Charles County Health Department
The Health Department also provides several other services, including programs to:
- improve your health
- Examples:
- lose weight
- manage chronic diseases
- diabetes prevention and more
- Examples:
- HIV prevention and testing
- dental clinic
- immunizations
- cancer screenings
- behavioral health support (mental health and substance use)
- disability services
There are also other programs that can help you and your family with your health.
Learn more about the programs offered by the Charles County Health Department and insurance programs offered by the state of Maryland to support families in need of medical care.
Help With Essential Needs
LifeStyles, Inc. in La Plata provides help, hope and transformation. Their services include food, a community clothing closet, housing support, transportation, tax help, tax assistance and more.
You can also call 2-1-1 to get connected to essential resources.
Energy Assistance
If you need energy assistance to lower the cost of your utility bill or avoid a turn-off notice, there are grants available through the Office of Home Energy Programs.
If you need help filling out the application or have questions about the income guidelines or program details, contact the Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee (SMTCCAC, Inc.) for local help with the state utility grants.
You can also contact your utility if you’ve fallen behind on your bills. Washington Gas and SMECO may provide a payment plan for your situation.
