PROGRAMS: Meeting Basic Needs

The Urban League provides those needs that stabilize families so that empowered clients may focus on bettering themselves and their communities.  The basic needs of food, clothing and shelter must first be met and available for clients and their families so they can then strive for their economic self sufficiency.  

Homeless Prevention — The Urban League helps families to prevent evictions and foreclosures by providing rent or mortgage assistance.

Youth Housing – The Urban League assists youth who are their own to maintain housing and meet their basic life necessities.

Lead Remediation – The Urban League carries out lead tests and remediation necessary to ensure clients’ homes are lead safe and healthy.

Utility Assistance — The Urban League provides utility assistance, resulting in reconnection and/or the prevention of utility shut offs.

Food Assistance — Food pantry operations at the Urban League provide seniors and low-income families with food baskets.

Clothing Assistance — Families receive new, clean and quality clothing of their choice from the Urban League’s Clothes Closets.

Emergency Cash Assistance – The Urban League helps families meet subsistence needs by providing adequate emergency cash assistance. 

Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway — Households in the St. Louis bi-state region receive free turkeys with all the trimmings during the Urban League’s Annual Rams/Schnucks Thanksgiving Giveaway.

Holiday Toy Giveaway — Over 500 families are served each year through the Urban League’s annual toy giveaway.

100 Neediest Program — The Urban League serves low-income families through the United Way/Post Dispatch 100 Neediest Case Programs and adopts additional families during the holiday season.