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Financial Assistance

The Samaritan Center Financial Assistance Services

Residents of Eastern Hamilton County may receive short-term assistance, after a full financial evaluation, with:

  • Rent payment
  • Mortgage payment
  • Utilities payment
  • Disaster relief such as house fires

The Samaritan Center provides emergency assistance for families and individuals in Eastern Hamilton County that are experiencing an unexpected financial burden. To make an appointment call (423) 238-7777. 

One of the Samaritan Center’s top priorities is maintaining the dignity of the people who come here for help. When clients feel that many aspects of their lives are out of control, the Center hopes to empower them by letting them be part of the process. 

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Care Corner

Personal & Household Items

Short-term assistance with clothing, household goods, personal care items, and infant supplies for families experiencing financial hardship. We prioritize maintaining dignity by empowering clients to be part of the process.

Community Food Pantry

Emergency and long-term food assistance through Hamilton Countys second largest food pantry, distributing over 45,000 items annually. Food comes from pantry partners, community drives, and individual donations.

Community Food Pantry

Residents of Eastern Hamilton County may receive emergency or long-term food assistance based on their needs through our Community Food Pantry.

The Samaritan Center operates the second largest food pantry in Hamilton County. We distribute more than 45,000 items of food each year. 

Our food supply comes from three sources: 

  • Food pantry partners
  • Food drives through churches, businesses, and civic organizations
  • Individual donations

The Samaritan Center assists thousands of clients through our Community Food Pantry. If you need assistance with food, please make an appointment.

School Supplies

Stock Their Lockers helps children start the school year with new backpacks and supplies. Eligible families shop our "store" to select items, and community donations help fill the gaps in what we need.

School Supplies

The Samaritan Center Stock Their Lockers Program

Stock Their Lockers enables children in need in our community to start their school year off right, with a backpack full of new school supplies. 
During Stock Their Lockers, individuals in our community collect new backpacks, pencils, paper, crayons, glue sticks, and other school supplies and donate them to the Samaritan Center.

Families undergo a complete financial evaluation and once deemed eligible are invited to bring their children to the Center to select their own schools supplies from our Stock Their Lockers “store.” 

When you give to Stock Their Lockers, your donation helps fill the gaps by helping us to provide school supplies we didn’t receive through community collections.

To learn more about how you can become involved with Stock Their Lockers, call (423) 238-7777.

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Disaster Relief

When disaster strikes, the Samaritan Center supports the unique needs of the affected community. Disaster response has three phases: initial safety/assessment, cleanup, and rebuilding. We are involved in all stages for local disasters, providing hands-on assistance. For disasters farther away, we support the cleanup and rebuilding phases.

We collaborate with local contacts to ensure that recovery efforts are targeted and practical, offering financial support for rebuilding when the time is right. If donors wish to contribute to a specific disaster recovery, they can designate their donation accordingly, and we will direct the funds to help restore and rebuild affected communities. For each specified disaster financial donation, 100% goes directly to those impacted by that disaster.

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Social Services Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to bring the following documentation to your appointment:

  • Photo ID
  • Social Security cards for everyone in the household
  • Proof of residency (lease or mortgage)
  • All bills and expenses for the past 30 days
  • Proof of income for the last 30 days
  • Current bank statement
  • Additional items as requested

We loan out various medical equipment items based on availability:

  • Bedside commodes
  • Canes
  • Crutches
  • Shower chairs
  • Walkers
  • Wheelchairs

Medical equipment that does not fall under the above items is sold on the floor as regular merchandise.
Walk-ins may visit the donation dock for more assistance. If you have medical equipment to return, return it to the donation dock.

If you want more information about medical equipment loans, call (423) 238-7777.

No. We need to speak directly with the person who needs help. 

We provide help with the following:

  • Utilities
  • Rent
  • Life-sustaining medications
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Furniture
  • Household items
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Personal care products
  • Baby layettes filled with newborn necessities
  • School supplies
  • Special projects

We serve residents of Eastern Hamilton County living within the following zip codes:
37302 – Apison
37308 – Birchwood
37315 – Collegedale
37421 – East Brainerd
37421 – Tyner
37336 – Georgetown
37341 – Harrison
37416 – Highway 58
37416 – Bonny Oaks
37353 – McDonald (Hamilton County)
37363 – Ooltewah
If you don’t live in one of these zip code areas, resources are likely to exist at your location as well.

Still have a question?

Call (423) 238-7777

Connect with a Case Manager

Get help and restore hope.

  1. Call or visit us.
  2. Send in the required documentation.
  3. Connect with a case manager.
  4. Get an answer on assistance and learn what we can do for you.
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Directions to the Samaritan Center

Come visit the Samaritan Center to shop, get help, or give back.

info@thesamaritancenter.net (423) 238-7777 9231 Lee Highway Ooltewah, TN 37363

Office and Social Services Hours

  • Monday – Thursday
    • 9 am – 5 pm

Thrift Store Hours

  • Monday – Thursday
    • 9 am – 6 pm
  • Friday & Saturday
    • CLOSED
  • Sunday
    • 1 pm – 5 pm

All offices, stores, and services are closed 

on Friday and Saturday.

Donation Dock Hours

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
    • 8 am – 9 pm
  • Wednesday
    • 8 am – 5 pm
  •  Friday
    • 9 am – 3 pm
  • Saturday
    • CLOSED
  • Sunday
    • 12 pm – 9 pm