Oshkosh Area Community Resources
Please dial 911 if you are experiencing an emergency.
If you need help finding a COVID-19 testing site, help with food, shelter, employment, parenting, utilities, mental health or access to other services in our community, please take a few minutes to scroll through this page. You'll find links that will connect you directly to the agencies that can support your needs.
State-Wide Resources | COVID-19 Testing Sites & Local Resources | General Services | Public Meeting Spaces | Mental Health Services| Rent/Mortgage/Housing/Utilities
Food & Clothing | Temporary Shelter | Jobs | Healthcare | Parenting | Voting
Oshkosh Public Library
- Get a library card.
- WiFi Hotspots are available for checkout. Check the online catalog and place a hold.
- A public WiFi signal is available inside the library and in the parking lot.
- Notary service is available by appointment. Call 236-5205 or go to calendly.com/oshkoshpubliclibrary
- Library computers are available on a first come, first served basis.
- Fine Free: The library no longer charges fines for most overdue items.
- Questions about whether you have a library card, or if your card is expired or blocked? Call 236-5203. In many cases, the library can help.
State-Wide Resources
- COVID-19 Response Resources for Wisconsinites: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Find assistance anywhere in the state. - Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Updated by the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services website- Sign up for weekly updates about the COVID-19 response from the Wisconsin Dept. of Health services
- 211 Wisconsin
211 connects you with thousands of nonprofit and government services in your area. Call 211 or 877-947-2211.
COVID-19 Testing Sites & Local Resources
- For questions about the testing site, please contact the Winnebago County Health Department COVID-19 Hotline at 920-232-3026 or email health@co.winnebago.wi.us.
- You should receive a phone call or email with your results within 3-7 business days of testing.
- If you've been waiting more than 5 days or you need a copy of your results, call the Wisconsin COVID-19 Results Line at 1-866-419-6988, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Results Line only provides test results for COVID-19 testing performed at National Guard testing sites in Wisconsin.
- COVID-19 Where can I get tested? (updated by the Winnebago Co. Health Dept.)
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- 12-15 year olds are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Visit www.wcvaccine.org/12to17yearolds to learn more about the vaccine and find local vaccinators.
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Assistance Hotline
- Call 844-684-1064 for help finding vaccine location, medical questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine, and registering for a vaccine appointment
- Winnebago County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Sign up for COVID-19 situation updates from the Winnebago Co. Health Dept
- Visit www.wcvaccine.org to find a vaccine location near you
- Fox Cities COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Appleton--visit the website to schedule an apointment
- UWO Vaccine Site at the Culver Center--visit the website to schedule an appointment
- Now offering the Pfizer vaccine to those 12-17 years old. No apointment needed!
- Walk-in hours: 9a.m.- 2p.m. Mondays; noon-5p.m. Tuesdays; and 9-11a.m. Fridays
- Sunnyview Expo Center Walk-In Wednesdays Vaccine Clinic
- Every Wednesday from 1-6 p.m.
- For free transportation call "Make the Ride Happen" at (920)232-3026.
- VaccineFinder: type in your zip code and find vaccine providers near you - provided by the CDC.
General Services
- Extended Unemployment Benefits (posted Dec. 3, 2020)
- ADVOCAP
- Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc.
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services exists to provide safety to those in our community who are impacted by domestic abuse. - City of Oshkosh Response to COVID-19
- GO Transit (NEW! Buy your bus pass with your phone.)
- Bus passes are also sold at the library. Passes are $35 for one month or $90 for three months. No appointment necessary. Cash (exact change is appreciated), check, debit and credit cards accepted.
- Winnebago Catch-A-Ride Program
The Winnebago Catch-A-Ride Program is a volunteer-based service, providing low-cost transportation to get people to and from work. - The Family Self-Sufficiency Program
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program helps Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing Family Unit recipients attain self-sufficiency. - Starting Point 2.0
Starting Point 2.0 and EmpowHER are free programs that help women ages 18-29 with financial planning skills, empowerment, and career planning that will lead to further education and/or a new career. This program is open to both single mothers and women without children. - Oshkosh Salvation Army: Current programs & services
- Birthday Club: Free toys, ice cream, and cake to client children on their birthdays
- Community Hot Meal
- Food Pantry
- Sunday Service
- Vet Ride: Area veterans are provided rides by Salvation Army volunteers to medical appointments to the Appleton V.A. Clinic free of charge.
- Holiday Programs: Seasonal programs like Adopt a Family, Coats for Kids, and Toys for Tots help ensure every Oshkosh area child can enjoy the holidays regardless of their parents’ financial situation.
- LEAVEN stabilizes and empowers people in financial crisis by providing financial assistance, resource coordination, and case management to address near-term and long-term basic needs.
- LGBTQ+ Resource Center at UWO
- Oshkosh Seniors Center
- Winnebago County Health Department
Public Meeting Spaces
- Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau Venue list
- *Scroll down and select “Meeting Site” under “Categories” to narrow it down from Large Event venues
- Contact Sales Director Jodi Jensema at jodi@visitoshkosh.com if you have any questions or need assistance
- List includes several churches
- Evergreen
- Meeting rooms are not open for public use.
- UW Extension James P. Coughlin Building
- Available for FREE public reservations
- 625 E. County Road Y, Oshkosh, WI 54901-8131
- Phone: 920-232-1970 or 920-727-8643
- Office Hours: M-F 8am – 4:30 pm
- Festival Foods
- Meeting rooms are not open for public use.
- Time Theater
- Rent auditorium with seating with 200 seats on each floor
- $150 for about four hours
- Available weeknights, most Sundays, and sometimes Saturdays
- Board approves public meetings
- Wittman Regional Airport
- Meeting rooms available for public use for a fee
- Call (920) 236-4930 for availability
- Town Halls
Mental Health Services
- State Street Center: A mental health drop-in center with holistic support services for adults working to manage their Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder. Daily activities will be posted on the front door.
- 206 State St., Oshkosh, WI 54901
- 920-232-3320
- Open Monday - Friday, 9a.m.-3p.m.
- Prevent Suicide Wisconsin: A statewide public-private partnership whose mission is to reduce the number of people who attempt and/or die by suicide in Wisconsin.
- Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator: 414-336-7970
- Director of Prevention Services: 414-336-7961
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 available 24/7
- Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. anytime
- Winnebago County Crisis Line: (North) 920-722-7707; (South) 920-233-7707 available 24/7
- Iris Place Warm Line (staffed by certified peer specialists): 920-815-3217 available 24/7
- NAMI Oshkosh Providing education, advocacy and support for those affected by mental illness.
- Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health
Food & Clothing
- **NEW** Grocery Store Tour at Festival Foods
- Take a grocery store tour and receive a reusable grocery bag and a $10 Festival Foods gift card
- Call 920-23201981 to make an apointment
- Winter Warm Up - Free Community Meal
- Trinity Lutheran Church, 370 Bown St.
- 11:30a.m. - 1:00p.m., every Tuesday 2/1 - 3/31
- Everyone is welcome!
- Trinity Lutheran Church, 370 Bown St.
- Little Free Pantries in Oshkosh
- Blessing Box, 2511 Clover St.
- Birdie's Blessing Box has two locations:
- 403 E Irving Ave.
- 1860 Wisconsin St.
- Boys and Girls Club, 501 E Parkway Ave.
- LFP on 16th, 326 16th Ave.
- Peace Lutheran Church 240 W 9th Ave.
- Hope Fridge has two locations in Oshkosh:
- Wagner Market, 502 N Main St. (located near the back entrance)
- 24 hours every day!
- Bowenstreet Repeats, 2837 Bowen St.
- Weds, & Thurs. 10am-2pm
- Fri. 10am-6pm
- Wagner Market, 502 N Main St. (located near the back entrance)
- Little Free Pantry - West Oshkosh (Calvary Lutheran), 2580 W 9th Ave.
- Food Pantries: Enter your zip code for locations, days and times in your area.
- Farmers to Families Food Box
- Oshkosh Area School District Free School Meal Distribution
- Oshkosh Area Community Pantry
- FoodShare Wisconsin
- UWO The Cabinet: a student run food pantry, is open to all UWO students.
- Community Clothes Closet: require a referral from an organization (school, church, social service agency or nonprofit organization) for clients to receive
- Per person: 20 clothing items for women or 10 for men & children per visit and 10 pairs of shoes, 2 jacktes (winter & summer) 1 pair of winter boots, 1 swimsuit, and 1 set of towels annually
- Per household: 5 miscellaneous items (belts/ties/purses/etc.) and 1 blanket set per year (comforter, sheets, and a pillow)
- Referral Forms and more information about the referral process can be found on their website.
- Due to COVID-19 clients need to make an appointment to shop by calling 920-731-7834.
Rent | Mortgage | Housing | Utilities
- The Affordable Connectivity Program
- Government program that helps qualifying households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices by providing up to $30/month discount on internet service; up to $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands; a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer; or a low cost service plan that ma be fully covered.
- For more information or to see if you are eligible, visit their website here.
- Habitat for Humanity Home Buyer Program
- Accepting pre-applications in-person or by mail April 15 - June 15 at the Oshkosh ReStore (1640 S Koeller St.) or online.
- Visit their website for the guidelines of the program.
- For more information, contact the Affiliate Office at (920) 235-3535 or email elast@habitatoshkosh.org.
- Oshkosh/Winnebago County Housing Authority
- Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program (W.R.A.P.) To apply: Call (920) 922-7760
- Rent Smart can give you tips on finding affordable housing, strategies on building positive relationships with landlords, and responsibilities/rights of landlords and tenants. Did you know if you go though this class, you get a year of positive rental history? Many landlords use the Rent Smart certificate to determine if you would be a good tenant.
- Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program
Temporary Shelter
Jobs
- Career Building Workshops at Oshkosh Public Library
- Presented by the Fox Valley Job Center and Wisconsin Dept. of Workforce Development
- Every Wednesday 1p.m. - 4p.m. on the 2nd Floor of the library
- Call (920) 236-5205 or email reference@oshkoshpubliclibrary.org to reserve an appointment.
- Walk-ins are accepted if space is available.
- Unemployment Insurance
- Extended Unemployment Benefits (posted Dec. 3, 2020)
- Winnefox Employment Help Center
- Job Seeker
- Job Center of Wisconsin
- Fox Valley Job Centers
Healthcare
For medical emergencies, call 911.
**The HealthCare.gov Marketplace will be re-opening for a special enrollment period from Feb. 15 to May 15**
- Health Care and Coverage (Wisconsin Department of Health Services)
- St. Francis Community Free Walk-in Clinic
- Water City Care Mission
- FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card (Oshkosh United Way)
- Covering Wisconsin can help you find a health insurance plan and identify coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment. Visit the Covering Wisconsin website or call 608-261-1455 or 414-400-9489. Assistance is provided at no cost.
- WisCovered.com provides free, expert health insurance help to find the best affordable plan for you. Created by the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
Parenting
- Parenting Resources Winnebago County Dept. of Human Services
- Parenting Classes | Family Services
- Department of Children and Families' Child Care Finder: service that allows individuals/families to find child care and review information about providers
- Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies: service for individuals/families looking for an extra level of support provided by DCF and the Supporting Families Together Association
- Child Care Availability Map: map provided by DCF displaying available child care at participating providers
- YoungStar: Wisconin's child care quality rating and improvement system allowing an easy way to compare local child care options and find appropriate programs
- Wisconsin Shares: Wisconsin's child care subsidy program designed to support eligible families by funding a portion of the cost of child care (linked page provides information about who qualifies and how to apply)
- Child Care Information and Resources: extensive list of information about Wisconsin's child care system
- ESME: Empowering Solo Moms Everywhere
Voting Information
- My Vote Wisconsin
- Be a Voter: Oshkosh Public Library's voting and election resources webpage.
This page is maintained by Oshkosh Public Library. If you experience technical problems or have a question about a link, please email reference@oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.