Samaritan Fellowship

How to Apply for Assistance

Samaritan Fellowship is honored to share God’s love with you. We strive to be fair to all and be efficient with our limited resources.

Samaritan Fellowship conducts in-person interviews every Saturday, including holidays.

• Location:  Carlisle United Methodist Church (CUMC) 333 Spring Garden Street, Carlisle, PA (just past the Giant on Spring Garden Street)
• Interview Hours: 8:45–10:00 AM (or until all applicants have been interviewed).  Due to time constraints, no applicants can be accepted after 10:00 AM.
• Arrival Window: 7:45–9:45 AM Arriving during this window ensures you have enough time to complete your application and interview before stewards leave around 10:30 AM.

Note: If You Are Seeking Shelter – Contact Community CARES Address: 50 West Penn St., Carlisle, PA Phone: 717‑249‑1009 Email: streetreach@morethanshelter.org.  They will provide a referral to us if they believe we can help.

What to Expect When You Arrive

Enter through the main entrance of the CUMC Worship Center (or as directed by Samaritan Fellowship signage).  Because space is limited and we strive to maintain confidentiality, only the client (unless other assistance is needed) should attend.  On busy days, family or friends may be asked to wait outside.

You will complete a Samaritan Fellowship Application, which includes:

• Residence history
• Work history
• Current finances
• Specific assistance request

A steward will review your application with you and present it to the Board, which makes all assistance decisions. Plan to spend at least one hour, possibly longer if many clients are present. If documentation is incomplete, you may be asked to return.

What You Must Bring with You

Please bring all of the following:

• Information to complete Samaritan Fellowship application.  It can be completed on-site or you can bring a completed copy with you. 
• Valid ID
• Proof of income (pay stubs, unemployment, Social Security, etc.)
• All bills related to your request (paper or electronic)

Additional Requirements for Rental Assistance

• Bill, invoice, or email with rent balance from your landlord dated within the current month or other document (lease) that states the exact amount of your rent.
• Any eviction or landlord notices
• Landlord’s name, address, and phone number
• A phone number where the landlord can be reached on Saturday
• If you live in the following, a referral letter from your case manager should be sent directly to Samaritan Fellowship
  • Public or subsidized housing
  • Safe Harbour
  • Stuart House
  • Genesis House
  • CARES or AfterCARES
  • Or applied for County Homeless Assistance Program or the Todd Baird Lidsey Devlin Foundation

If you rent independently or own your home, no referral is required.

PLEASE NOTE: Security deposits are no longer provided

Missing documents will delay assistance. Samaritan Fellowship is not responsible for any fees resulting from delays.

Service Area

Samaritan Fellowship assists only residents of:

• Carlisle Area School District
• South Middleton School District
• Middlesex Township

If You Live Outside the Service Area-Please contact the agency serving your community:

• Newville: Neighbors in Christ, First Presbyterian Church, 111 Big Spring Ave. Phone: 717‑385‑1053 (Saturday mornings)
• Mechanicsburg / West Shore: New Hope Ministries, 15 State Road Phone: 717‑766‑7333 • www.nhm-pa.org
• Shippensburg: Christ Among Neighbors, 130 South Penn St. Phone: 717‑532‑7577

Assistance Payments

Assistance is paid directly to landlords or vendors, never to individuals. (Assistance payments are mailed directly from our bank and can take 6-10 business days before they are received and posted to your account)  Clients may be asked to contribute toward their bills depending on our available funds/guidelines.  Financial or personal counseling may be required in some cases.

Examples of Assistance

• Gas vouchers or car repairs for work, interviews, or medical appointments
• Heating oil for families with children
• Rent assistance for working families experiencing temporary financial hardship
• Referrals to agencies such as Maranatha‑Carlisle for budgeting support

Interview Process – Short Summary

• Arrive at CUMC between 7:45–9:45 AM
• Follow signs to the main entrance unless otherwise directed to Community Entrance
• Children should stay home if possible; activity bags are available if they must attend
• Plan to stay until the Board makes a decision—this may take several hours

Disclaimer

Samaritan Fellowship is a Christian ministry serving all clients in our geographic area without regard to race, creed, color, gender, or ethnic origin. Links to third‑party sites are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement.