Mertens
Ask about Mertens
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Mertens and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Mertens
We have not checked Mertens on its own yet. Here is what we have for the area around it.
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Mertens first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
THE MINT Food Pantry
The MINT Foundation
39 miles from the center of Mertens1604 Falcon Drive, DeSoto, TX 75115
Hours
- Tue9 AM to 12 PM. By appointment
- Wed9 AM to 12 PM. By appointment
- Thu9 AM to 12 PM. By appointment
Who can come: Residents of Dallas County and Ellis County
What to bring: By appointment only. Bring a valid picture ID to register and receive food.
Listed on mintcares.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Mobile Food Pantry at TCC Southeast Campus
Arlington Charities
42 miles from the center of Mertens2100 Southeast Parkway, Arlington, TX 76018
Hours
- Thu9 AM to 11 AM (3rd of the month)
Who can come: Residents from all ZIP codes.
What to bring: No appointment needed.
Listed on tccd.edu, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Dallas College Workforce Center at RedBird Community Pantry
Dallas College
42 miles from the center of Mertens3662 W. Camp Wisdom Road, Suite 2065, Dallas, TX 75237
Hours
- Fri9 AM to 4 PM. Community Pantry Days; dates vary
Who can come: Community members during listed Community Pantry Days
What to bring: No registration is needed for Community Pantry Days.
Listed on dallascollege.edu, checked on October 9, 2026
Mobile pantry
Feed the City Monthly Food Giveaway
People are the Mission
46 miles from the center of Mertens4015 I-20 Frontage Rd, Arlington, TX 76017
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Oct 10, 2026, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM; Nov 21, 2026, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM; Dec 12, 2026, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Who can come: People in need.
Listed on peoplearethemission.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Help for our Unhoused Neighbors
Arlington Charities
46 miles from the center of Mertens811 Secretary Drive, Arlington, TX 76015
Hours
- Mon11:30 AM to 12:15 PM
- Wed11:30 AM to 12:15 PM
Who can come: People experiencing homelessness.
Listed on arlingtoncharities.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Weekday Food Service
Arlington Charities
46 miles from the center of Mertens811 Secretary Drive, Arlington, TX 76015
Hours
- Mon8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- Tue8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- Wed8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- Thu8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- Fri8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Who can come: People in Arlington ZIP codes 76001, 76002, 76005, 76006, 76010, 76011, 76012, 76013, 76014, 76015, 76016, 76017, 76018, and 76019; Tarrant County parts of Grand Prairie; and Kennedale.
What to bring: Complete an application and get an appointment. Bring your Digital ID.
Listed on arlingtoncharities.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Mertens
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Tarrant Area Food Bank
2600 Cullen, Ft. Worth, TX 76107
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Lone Star Legal Aid
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation of Planning Region XI
500 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701-2111
Listed on tdhca.texas.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Hill County
Mertens is in Hill County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Public health · Nonprofit
Hillsboro WIC Clinic
211A E. Franklin St., Hillsboro, TX 76645
Help here
- WIC nutrition and breastfeeding supportWIC helps eligible families with young children get healthy food and nutrition support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on spcaawic.org
Local office · Regional office
Heart of Texas 2-1-1
Help here
- Social service information and referralsCall 2-1-1 to find local help with food, housing, utilities, health care, and other needs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hotcogtx.gov
Mental health and recovery · Regional office
Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network, Hill County Office
130 N. Covington St., Hillsboro, TX 76645
Help here
- Mental health services and referralsAsk about mental health assessments, outpatient care, and referrals.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hotbhn.org
Older adults · Regional office
Area Agency on Aging of the Heart of Texas
1514 South New Road, Waco, TX 76711
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportOlder adults and caregivers can get help finding services, benefits counseling, and caregiver support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hotcogtx.gov
Veterans · County office
Hill County Veterans Service Office
126 S. Covington St., Room 6, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help understanding and applying for veterans benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on co.hill.tx.us
Emergency help · County office
Hill County Office of Emergency Management
218 N. Waco St., Hillsboro, TX 76645
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and response informationGet information about preparing for emergencies and local response efforts.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on co.hill.tx.us
Texas programs by kind of help
These are run by Texas and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - HealthCare.gov
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.
Call 1-800-318-2596 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- Heart of Texas 2-1-1
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988