When family members, friends, or neighbors help an individual, they are offering social support in several forms: useful information and advice, concrete support (such as food or housing), or emotional support. My thesis is that informal social support, a key resource for families and individuals, should not be taken for granted. Individuals and families can learn to increase their supply of support. Professionals can learn to combine informal helping strategies with formal services, and planners can enhance informal social support through public policy.