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How to get help with utility bills in Broken Arrow
Arms Around BA is a food pantry in Broken Arrow that also assists with clothing and utility bills. To receive assistance with a utility bill, it must be a disconnection/cutoff notice, which will be mentioned on the bill. Utility assistance is offered once every twelve months.
Looking for holiday help? See Holiday Baskets for signup details.
What are the requirements for utility bill assistance in Broken Arrow?
Our policy states that each client (householder) must provide specific documentation to receive assistance. Client files are set up in the name of the householder. This documentation must be provided at every visit, and must include:
- A valid driver's license or current photo ID
AND
- A current proof of address (current utility bill or legal/dated mail within the past 30 days)
Common questions
What do I need to bring to get help?
Bring a valid driver's license or current photo ID, and a current proof of address (a current utility bill or legal, dated mail within the past 30 days). We need both at every visit. Client files are set up in the name of the householder.
Can you help with a utility bill in Broken Arrow?
Yes. To receive help with a utility bill, it must be a disconnection or cutoff notice, which will be mentioned on the bill. Utility assistance is offered once every twelve months.
Who does Arms Around BA serve?
We serve residents of Broken Arrow, Bixby, and Coweta, Oklahoma. If you live outside those areas, try dialing or searching 211 to see what's available near you.
Is Arms Around BA a food pantry or a food bank?
We are a food pantry: we give food directly to families in Broken Arrow, Bixby, and Coweta. Some people call this a food bank. We also help with clothing and utility bills.
What kind of help do you offer?
Food, clothing, and utility bill assistance, plus Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for families during the holidays.
When is Arms Around BA open?
We are open Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Monday evenings, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. During inclement weather, we follow Broken Arrow Public Schools' schedule. If they are closed, we are also closed.
Where are you located?
840 S Elm Pl, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Phone (918) 258-7714.
How can I donate?
We accept donations of food, clothing, blankets, sheet sets, and personal care items. Used items must be newly washed or cleaned. You can drop items off in person during our hours or give online.
How do I get a holiday basket?
Basket signups are in person and first come, first served. You must be a resident of Broken Arrow, Coweta, or Bixby and bring a current photo ID and current proof of residence. See the full details.
Other local resources: dial 211
For a printable list of local help, see our Helping Hands Guide.
If you live outside Broken Arrow, Bixby and Coweta, try dialing or searching 211 to see what's available in your area.
Dial 211 for essential community services
In many states, dialing "211" provides individuals and families in need with a shortcut through what can be a bewildering maze of health and human service agency phone numbers. By simply dialing 211, those in need of assistance can be referred, and sometimes connected, to appropriate agencies and community organizations.
Dialing 211 helps direct callers to services for, among others, the elderly, the disabled, those who do not speak English, those with a personal crisis, those with limited reading skills, and those who are new to their communities.
2-1-1 is available to approximately 270 million people, or about 90% of the total U.S. population. It covers all 50 states (including 41 states with more than 90 percent coverage), the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To find out whether 211 services are offered in your area and to obtain more information, visit www.211.org.
How 211 works
211 works a bit like 911. Calls to 211 are routed by the local telephone company to a local or regional calling center. The 211 center's referral specialists receive requests from callers, access databases of resources available from private and public health and human service agencies, match the callers' needs to available resources, and link or refer them directly to an agency or organization that can help.
Types of referrals offered by 211
- Basic human needs resources – including food and clothing banks, shelters, rent assistance, and utility assistance.
- Physical and mental health resources – including health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health resources, health insurance programs for children, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, and drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.
- Work support – including financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs.
- Access to services in non-English languages – including language translation and interpretation services to help non-English-speaking people find public resources (foreign language services vary by location).
- Support for older Americans and persons with disabilities – including adult day care, community meals, respite care, home health care, transportation and homemaker services.
- Children, youth and family support – including child care, after-school programs, educational programs for low-income families, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services.
- Suicide prevention – referral to suicide prevention help organizations. Callers can also dial these National Suicide Prevention Hotline numbers, operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
- 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
- 1-888-SUICIDE (1-888-784-2433)
- 1-877-SUICIDA (1-877-784-2432) (Spanish)