Support for Our American Indian Community
Use the resources below for assistance with food, housing, and health-related services. You can find additional resources on our American Indian Outreach page.
Food pantries are available at each of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Visit the college sites below for more information:
“Food For Thought”
In partnership with the University of Arizona, NATIVE HEALTH hosts “Food For Thought,” a weekly program that includes videos featuring healthy Indigenous recipes.
Visit NATIVE HEALTH’s “Food for Thought” website
NATIVE HEALTH Food Pantry
Location: Mesa only
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–noon and 1:30–3 p.m.
Kid’s Cafe (Summer Kid’s Food Program)
Available at: NATIVE HEALTH Central, NATIVE HEALTH Mesa, and NHW Community Health Center.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Location: Mesa only
For more information call Susan at 602-279-5262, ext. 11027.
Backpack Program
Location: Central only
For more information, contact Gabby at 602-279-5262, ext. 11011.
URBAN Native American Senior Food Bag Program
Locations: Central and Mesa
For more information call Olivia at 602-279-5262, ext. 11022, or email oljoe@nachci.com.
Commodity Senior Food Program (CSFP)
Status: NATIVE HEALTH locations are currently full. Reach out to your interested site to join our waiting list.
For more information call Olivia at 602-279-5262, ext. 11022, or email oljoe@nachci.com.
Read It and Eat Program
Locations: Central and Mesa
Availability
- Third Tuesday of the month at NATIVE HEALTH Mesa
- Fourth Thursday of the month at NATIVE HEALTH Central
For more information or reservations, contact Gabby at gherndandez@nachci.com.
Indigenous Young Chefs in the Kitchen
Videos are broadcast on the NATIVE Health Facebook page. This program is dependent on donor funding.
For more info, contact Susan at slevy@nachci.com.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a monthly nutrition program that provides funds for qualified individuals and families to purchase healthy food. Maricopa Community Colleges provides SNAP application assistance exclusively to students, staff, and faculty. For more information, contact the SNAP Outreach Coordinator, Mira Nolan, at 480-731-8126 or Student-Basic-Needs@domail.maricopa.edu.
If you are a community member not affiliated with Maricopa Community Colleges, please visit the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) for assistance with SNAP applications or connect with a local Community Assistor for support. You can find more information on the DES SNAP Assistance page.
Many households participate in the Food Distribution Program on/near Indian Reservations (FDPIR) as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must:
- Reside on Indian Tribal Land that administers an FDPIR regardless of tribal enrollment.
- Reside in an approved area near Indian Tribal Land that administers an FDPIR and includes at least one adult participant who is a recognized member of that Tribal Land’s Tribe.
*The tribe determines the approved area. - Not be receiving both SNAP and FDPIR benefits in the same month.
*If you are approved for SNAP but receive zero benefits, you are eligible for FDPIR that month - Not be in Intentional Program Violation (IPV).
List of Food Distribution Programs by Reservation
Colorado River Indian Tribes
928-669-1282
928-669-1234
Fax: 928-669-5633
Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
Gila River Indian Community
520-562-9233, ext. 3314
Fax: 520-562-3573
Email: commodity.foods@gric.nsn.us
Navajo Nation
Fort Defiance
928-729-4212
928-729-4022
Leupp
928-686-3221
928-686-3220
Teec Nos Pos
928-656-3650
928-733-2852
Tuba City
928-283-3290
928-283-3293
928-283-3294
928-283-3295
Fax: 928-283-3296
Quechan Tribe
760-572-0740
San Carlos Apache Tribe
928-475-2313
Fax: 928-475-2342
shalyn.lang@yahoo.com
Tohono O'odham Nation
520-383-6250
Fax: 520-383-5170
beatrice.tashquinth@tonation-nsn.gov
White Mountain Apache Tribe
928-338-4964
Fax: 928-338-4330
lelacosen@wmat.us
NATIVE HEALTH
NATIVE HEALTH has four locations: one in Guadalupe, Mesa and two in Phoenix.
Visit the NATIVE HEALTH website.
Phoenix Indian Medical Center
Provides Indian Health Services (IHS).
Visit the Phoenix Indian Medical Center website.
River People Health Center
Located in Scottsdale, Arizona (on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community-SRPMIC)
Visit the River People Health Center website.
MCCCD Counseling Services
Visit MCCCD Counseling Services
Gila River Health Care Locations
- Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital | 483 W. Seed Farm Rd. | Sacaton, AZ 85147
- Komatke Health Center | 17487 S. Health Care Dr. | Laveen, AZ 85339
- Hau'pal (Red Tail Hawk) Health Center | 3042 W. Queen Creek Rd. | Chandler, AZ 85286
Maricopa Students and Community Members
The HUG Clinic provides free specialty care for community members who are underserved, uninsured, or experiencing financial hardship. Due to high demand, there are service limits to ensure fair access for all patients Patients may receive up to 24 visits or one full school year of care (Fall and Spring semesters). After this period, patients may be discharged with referrals to outside providers or added to our waiting list for future availability. HUG Clinic services are offered pro bono, and donations help offset the cost of providing care to our community.
https://www.gatewaycc.edu/hug-clinic
Hotline Resources
- Crisis Text Line, a free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support resource available to Native communities. Text NATIVE to 741741 to be connected with a trained crisis counselor.
- Domestic and sexual violence hotline offers support and advocacy. Call 1-844-762-8483 (1-844-7NATIVE).
Who to Contact for Housing Help
For housing help, contact the following offices:
- Office of Public and Indian Housing (for private land)
- Tribally Designated Housing Entity (for reservations)
Call 1-800-569-4287.
If You Are Experiencing Homelessness or a Housing Crisis
Resources for individuals or families experiencing a homeless or housing crisis: call 211, 877-211-8661, or visit the Family Housing Hub.
If there is a crisis and you need immediate help, call 911 or the Crisis Response Network at 602-222-9444.
Native American Connections
Native American Connections can connect you with a variety of housing programs tailored to meet diverse needs.
Visit the Native American Connections website
Housing Help for Native American Veterans
Tribal HUD-VASH gives rental help and support services to Native American veterans. These vets must:
- Be homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Live on or near a reservation or other Indian area
Native American Direct Loan (NADL) is a program that helps veterans who are either Native American or married to a Native American get a mortgage. You can use the loan to buy, build, or improve a home on federal trust land. NADLs require no down payment and no private mortgage insurance.
Additional Resources
- National American Indian Housing Council—Arizona Homeowner Assistance Fund
- Housing Assistance for Native Americans
- Housing Improvement Program (HIP)
- Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program
Native Americans can apply for general federal housing programs, including those for: