We get it—life happens. Whether it’s a job loss, a surprise bill, or just trying to make ends meet until payday, we’ve all had moments where we’ve needed a little extra help.
In Ladies of Lex, we see members asking almost daily about where to turn for support with things like food, utilities, housing, or even finding a warm place to stay for the night. Instead of having you scroll through old posts or repeat the same questions—we wanted to make it easier.
So we created this blog post as a living resource you can always come back to or share with someone else who might need it. No judgment, no shame—just help when you need it most.
Food Support: Free Meals and Groceries
Because no one should have to choose between paying bills and feeding their family.
1. God’s Pantry Food Bank
Providing groceries at multiple locations across Central Kentucky. Use their pantry locator tool on their website to find a distribution site near you.
Website: godspantry.org
2. The Nathaniel Mission
Providing free breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday.
Phone: (859) 255-0062
Address: 1109 Versailles Road Suite 400, Lexington KY 40508
Website: nathanielmission.com
3. Food Chain
Providing free dinner Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
Phone: (859) 428-8380
Address: 501 W 6th St. Suite 105, Lexington KY 40508
Website: foodchainlex.org
4. Maxwell Presbyterian
Providing free dinner every Thursday night at 5:45pm
Phone: (859) 255-1074
Address: 180 E. Maxwell St., Lexington KY 40508
Website: maxpres.org
5. Lighthouse Ministries
Providing free lunch (noon) & dinner (5:30pm), Monday thru Saturday; dinner on Sundays at 5pm.
Phone: (859) 259-3434
Address: 190 Spruce St. Lexington, KY 40507
Website: lighthouselex.org
6. Lexington Rescue Mission
Providing free breakfast (9am) & lunch (noon), Monday thru Saturday. Also help with hygiene products, clothing, & transportation.
Phone: (859) 381-9600
Address: 535 W. 2nd St. Lexington, KY 40508
Website: lexingtonrescue.org
Need Help Paying Bills?
These programs offer emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and other basic needs:
1. Community Action Council
Offers LIHEAP, a program that helps cover heating and cooling costs.
Phone: (859) 233-4600
Address: 710 W. High St. Lexington, KY 40508
Website: commaction.org
2. Maxwell Presbyterian
Providing utility assistance, help with ID’s / driver’s licenses, bus passes, toiletries, etc.
Phone: (859) 255-1074
Address: 180 E. Maxwell St., Lexington KY 40508
Website: maxpres.org
3. H2O – Help to Others Program
Assists customers of Kentucky American Water who are experiencing financial hardship with their water bills.
Phone: (859) 269-2386
Website: dollarenergy.org
4. LG&E and KU – Assistance Programs
Provides various assistance programs for customers struggling with utility bills, including heating or cooling assistance.
Phone: 1-800-331-7370
Website: lge-ku.com
In Need of Shelter?
Here’s where you can find safe housing, whether for the night or longer.
1. Beacon of Hope
24/7 emergency shelter providing meals and a safe space.
Phone: (859) 644-5171
Address: 850 Bypass Road, Winchester KY 40391
Website: beaconofhopeky.org
2. Hope Center
24/7 emergency shelter, meals, health care, and recovery services for those in need.
Phone: (859) 252-7881
Address: 360 W Loudon Ave, Lexington, KY
Website: hopectr.org
3. Salvation Army (Women & Families)
Emergency shelter and support services for women and families.
Phone: (859) 252-7706
Address: 736 W. Main St, Lexington, KY
Website: salvationarmyusa.org
4. Catholic Action Center
Welcoming shelter and daily meals—no one turned away. They’ve recently opened a new mobile shower/laundry outreach, The Dignity Station, which allows guests to shower and wash their clothes.
Phone: (859) 255-0301
Address: 1055 Industry Rd, Lexington, KY 40505
Website: catholicactioncenter.net
5. Arbor Youth Services
Emergency shelter for youth up to age 17. Outreach center serves youth ages 18-25 experiencing homelessness.
Phone: (859) 254-2501
Address: 536 W 3rd St. Lexington, KY 40508
Website: arborky.org
Daytime Help & Connection to Services
1. New Day Life Center
Not an overnight shelter, but a safe daytime space that connects the unhoused to local services, showers, and job resources.
Phone: (859) 721-2325
Address: 224 N MLK Blvd, Lexington, KY
Website: newlifedaycenter.org
2. The Nathaniel Mission Hospitality Center
Provides a warm or cool space safe from weather. Monday through Thursday from 9am-3:30pm.
Phone: (859) 255-0062
Address: 1109 Versailles Road Suite 400, Lexington, KY 40508
Website: nathanielmission.com
Rental Assistance & Eviction Prevention
1. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG)
Rental assistance programs may be available depending on current funding.
Phone: (859) 300-5300
Address: 498 Georgetown St., Lexington, KY 40508
Website: lexingtonky.gov
2. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
Legal help such as housing, gov benefits, and money for families, seniors, and all Kentuckians.
Phone: (859) 431-8200
Website: lablaw.org
3. Kentucky Housing Corporation
Providing low income & housing assistance to Kentuckians.
Phone: (502) 564-7630
Website: kyhousing.org
Help for Moms & Families
1. The Nest
Supporting families in crisis through education, counseling, advocacy, and resources.
Phone: (859) 259-1974
Address: 530 N. Limestone St., Lexington, KY 40508
Website: thenestlexington.org
2. Chrysalis House
Provides family-oriented treatment & recovery support for women with substance use disorders & their children.
Phone: (859) 977-2501
Address: 1589 Hill Rise Dr. Lexington, KY 40504
Website: chrysalishouse.org
3. WIC
Provides free healthy foods/formula, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to mothers and children.
Phone: (877) 597-0367
Website: fns.usda.gov
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Support
1. GreenHouse17 (Domestic Violence Support)
Confidential shelter and advocacy for survivors of intimate partner abuse.
24/7 Hotline: 1-800-544-2022
Website: greenhouse17.org
2. ZeroV
Formerly known as the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, this organization advocates for victims of domestic violence.
Phone: (859) 209-5382
Address: 111 Darby Shire Circle, Frankfort KY 40601
Website: zerov.org
3. Sexual Violence Resource Center
Help for those impacted by sexual violence. Providing 24/7 advocacy, resources, and services.
Phone: (859) 253-2511
Address: 2025 Regency Road, Lexington KY 40503
Website: svrckentucky.org
Sober Living Houses
1. Roaring Brook Recovery – Sober Living Program
Offers structured sober living homes with peer support, life skills training, and access to outpatient treatment options.
Phone: (855) 590-9944
Address: 600 Perimeter Dr, Suite 125, Lexington, KY 40517
Website: roaringbrookrecovery.com
2. Changed Lives Recovery Community
Provides a supportive sober living environment with intensive outpatient groups and personalized recovery plans.
Phone: (859) 368-4105
Address: 149 Deweese St, Lexington, KY 40507
Website: soberlivinglexingtonky.com
3. Simple Solutions Behavioral Health
Offers a compassionate sober living residence focusing on creating a foundation for a new way of living.
Address: Lexington, KY
Website: simplesolutionsrecovery.com
4. Primary Purpose Behavioral Health
Provides gender-specific sober living homes with integrated outpatient therapy and mental health services.
Address: Lexington, KY
Website: primarypurposebehavioralhealth.com
Rehabilitation Centers
1. Hope Center
Offers comprehensive recovery programs for men and women, including residential treatment and transitional housing.
Phone: (859) 252-7881
Address: 360 W Loudon Ave. Lexington, KY 40508
Website: hopectr.org
2. Lexington Addiction Center
Provides outpatient treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders with a focus on individualized care.
Phone: (859) 710-3411
Address: 361 Towne Center Dr, Lexington, KY 40511
Website: lexingtonaddictioncenter.com
3. Brightview Lexington Addiction Treatment Center
Offers outpatient addiction treatment with same-day admissions and a focus on medication-assisted treatment.
Phone: (888) 501-9865
Address: 575 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507
Website: brightviewhealth.com
4. The Ridge Behavioral Health System
Provides inpatient and outpatient services for adults dealing with substance use and co-occurring mental health issues.
Phone: (859) 269-2325
Address: 3050 Rio Dosa Dr, Lexington, KY 40509
Website: ridgebhs.com
Recovery Support Resources
1. Voices of Hope – Recovery Community Center
A peer-led center offering recovery coaching, support groups, and community events to foster long-term recovery.
Phone: (859) 303-8000
Address: 644 N Broadway, Lexington, KY 40508
Website: voicesofhopelex.org
2. Lexington Rescue Mission – Life Transformation Program
Provides a faith-based residential program for men and women seeking recovery from addiction, incarceration, or homelessness.
Phone: (859) 381-9600
Address: 444 Glen Arvin Ave, Lexington, KY 40508
Website: lexingtonrescue.org
3. Lexington Substance Use Disorder Intervention Program
A city-run initiative offering resources and information for individuals seeking help with substance use disorders.
Phone: LexCall 311
Address: Lexington, KY
Website: lexingtonky.gov
How to Use This List
Save it. Share it. Come back to it when needed. We’ve even created a downloadable PDF that you can download & save here!
And if you’re ever not sure where to start, ask in the group. This community is full of women who will go out of their way to drop links, make calls, and connect you to the right people—because that’s what this space is about.
Need even more resources?
Check out this Kentucky Community Resource Manual for a comprehensive list of local programs and support services, including housing, food, employment help, and more. It’s a great tool for anyone navigating tough times or helping someone else who is.
Have a resource we should add? Drop a comment or message us—we’re always updating this guide to better serve our community.