Essential Needs Programs

The Essential Needs Center, or the ENC, connects individuals and families to essential resources. The ENC is home to three IW programs: Clothing Center, Food Pantry, and Connections. At the ENC, IW distributes clothing, home goods, and food, while also providing emergency rental and utility assistance, and connecting clients to other community resources. Any client utilizing a specific service within the ENC can also get connected and receive support from other ENC programs. 

Learn more about the ENC Policies and FAQs here. 

IW Clothing Center

The IW Clothing Center provides Montgomery County residents and families with clothing and home goods free of charge, allowing them to use more of their resources on food, rent, utilities, medicine, and other basic needs. Families and individuals are eligible to shop for free once a month at the Center. Appointments are 45 minutes long on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and Wednesday appointments are reserved for clients who are 65+ and or are a person with a disability. Eligibility for these appointments is based on Montgomery County residency and an income level that is less than or equal to twice the Federal Poverty Level.

Learn more here.

IW Food Pantry

The IW Food Pantry is a choice pantry model, allowing families from select Rockville zip codes to come weekly or monthly depending on their zip code and choose food options for themselves. This also provides a greater opportunity for clients to interact with IW staff and receive information about additional assistance and resources. 

Learn more here.

IW Connections

IW Connections helps to connect residents of Montgomery County to essential resources. Resource Coordinators, who are bilingual in English and Spanish, meet with clients to conduct comprehensive needs assessments and make referrals to appropriate partner providers. Connections provides emergency financial rental and utilities assistance. Eligibility is based on Montgomery County residency to help those with incomes at a level less than or equal to twice the Federal Poverty Level. 

Learn more here.