Change for Change
Homelessness continues to be a reality for many children and families across our nation. Locally, the Change for Change program provides you with an easy way to help end homelessness for children and families in our community. By making a monthly contribution through your City Utilities account, you will help provide basic needs like food and shelter to families in Tallahassee to help them get back on their feet again. For as little as $2 a month, you can help change their lives and create positive changes in our community.
I'd like to make a difference with a monthly donation.
History of Change for Change
Nearly a decade ago, a passionate group of Tallahassee Citizens, called Tallahassee Equality Action Ministry (TEAM), brought a recommendation to the Tallahassee City Commission that would allow citizens to help address homelessness in the community by making a monthly contribution on their city utility bill. Called Change for Change, the program was adopted by the Commission in 2004.
How do I sign up Change for Change?
Sign up for Change for Change on Talgov.com or call Your Own Utilities at 891-4YOU (4968).
Not a city utilities customer?
If you are not able to sign up to make a monthly contribution through your city utilities account, one-time donations are also appreciated. Checks payable to City of Tallahassee Change for Change can be mailed to the address below.
Utility Business & Customer Services
Customer Services Division
408 N Adams St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Agencies that currently receive funding from Change for Change include:
The HOPE Community, a program of the Big Bend Homeless Coalition, offers emergency shelter, case management, and support services to families with minor children. At HOPE, we believe all individuals can recover from homelessness and successfully move into safe permanent housing - over 73% of residents who exited HOPE Community after staying 15 days moved into stable housing.
The Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc. (CACAA), a private non-profit organization that provides services and resources to low-income citizens to reduce the detrimental effects of poverty, empower them with skills and motivation to become self-sufficient, and improve the overall quality of their lives, and our community.
America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend, a food bank that distributes over 3 million pounds of food every year, equaling 2 million meals, for those in need. When families find themselves having to choose between paying the rent or feeding their family, Second Harvest can provide them with food and help prevent them from becoming homeless.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Change for Change program provides basic needs and emergency services to help homeless families and individuals in Tallahassee. Services include shelter programs, education, and training; assistance with move-in expenses; financial assistance toward emergency housing payments; matching dollars for permanent housing projects; and for other services supporting the homeless.
Change for Change funds are distributed to qualified agencies who provide homelessness services through an existing program used by the City, County and United Way where citizen volunteers help direct funding to the areas of greatest need in Tallahassee.
Yes, because contributions to Change for Change go directly to non-profit organizations, your annual contribution can be listed as a tax deduction. Your monthly contribution to Change for Change is listed on your utility bill each month, which can be used as documentation.
While all City utility customers are eligible to participate in the program, only those who sign up will see the amount included with their bill. If you do not want to participate, simply do not sign up.
It's your decision. You can stop participating, increase your contribution, or decrease your contribution simply by calling City of Tallahassee Utilities at 891-4YOU (4968).
Call the City's Communications Department at 850-891-8533.