A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Downingtown, Pennsylvania distribute groceries to individuals or families who are in some form of an emergency situation.
There are also meals, free bags of food, personal toiletries and household goods for low to moderate income families from food pantries near you.
Distribution centers can include churches, non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and many other local charities as well as non-profits.
Salvation Army Food Pantry
The Salvation Army is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity.
The Salvation Army operates free local food banks around Downingtown, Pennsylvania from almost all of their local social service centers. The charity organization is involved in feeding millions of families each year, with a large percentage of those assisted being children as well as the elderly.
We have located 6 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Downingtown, Pennsylvania which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - WEST CHESTER CORPS
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Seasonal Services
- Transitional Housing
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (610) 696-8746 to book your appointment.
Address :
101 E Market St,
West Chester, PA 19382.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Chester
The Salvation Army - COATESVILLE CORPS
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Seasonal Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (610) 384-2954 to book your appointment.
Address :
669 E Lincoln Hwy,
Coatesville, PA 19320.
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Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Chester
The Salvation Army - Service Extension Centers: Butte, MT Service Center
Services provided :
- Aid to Families
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Christian Education
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Seasonal Services
- Visitation Services
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (406) 782-7863 to book your appointment.
Address :
1229 Harrison Ave, butte,
Phoenixville, PA 19460.
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Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Chester
Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware - Greater Philadelphia
The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia is a faith-based, comprehensive human service organization whose programs help individuals, families and whole communities lead healthier, safer and more productive lives. The Army’s programming operates from community centers and residential facilities throughout the Philadelphia region offering shelter, hot meals, counseling, early childhood development, recreational opportunities, music programs, after-school arts and educational programs, job training, activities for older adults, spiritual development, and drug rehabilitation.
The Salvation Army Philadelphia Central Corps Community Center is neighborhood-focused and serves the community as a place of worship and social services to meet the human needs that will move them from crisis to stability. Programs range from Sunday worship services, Bible Studies, and feeding programs. Other typical programs include seasonal services and much more.
Services Offered:
-Community Recreation & Education Programs
-Emergency Financial Assistance
-Food & Nutrition Programs
-Seasonal Services
-Casework Services
-Worship Services - Church, Sunday School
-Christian Education
Services provided :
- emergency payments
- food pantry
- toys & gifts
- recreation
- navigating the system
- one-on-one support
- spiritual support
- support network
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (215) 465-0300 to book your appointment.
Address :
3225 Reed St,
Philadelphia, PA 19146.
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Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Bucks
- Chester
- Delaware
- Gloucester
- Montgomery
- Philadelphia
Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware
The Salvation Army is uniquely equipped to respond to both acute disasters such as fires and floods as well as the daily, ongoing struggles of the less fortunate individuals and families and has a record of success stemming from its holistic approach to providing for the needs of the whole individual – physically, emotionally, economically and spiritually.
Food pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs are the most fundamental social service program offered at nearly every Salvation Army location. These programs provide nutritious, warm meals to individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. Many Salvation Army locations increase these programs during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season which are both financially and emotionally straining on many households.
Trained and experienced Salvation Army officers and social workers provide counseling services for a wide array of needs ranging from household budgeting and finance to family matters such as parenting and more. The Salvation Army not only provides spiritual guidance, but will also refer clients to other agencies that may offer additional resources for the individual or family.
Numerous career development programs provide a myriad of support for local job seekers. In addition to resume building, interview techniques, and job search skills, these programs provide assistance with online tools and resources assisting candidates in finding meaningful employment opportunities.
Each holiday season, thousands of people donate gifts and clothing items that we are able to share with children and families in need. The Salvation Army also reaches out to those who may be feeling alone during the holidays. Through all of our efforts, The Salvation Army endeavors to bring spiritual light and love to those it serves at Christmas and throughout the year.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
- toys & gifts
- parenting education
- counseling
- financial education
- navigating the system
- help find work
- support network
- spiritual support
- skills & training
- interview training
- resume development
- meals
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (610) 275-4183 to book your appointment.
Address :
3225 Reed St,
Philadelphia, PA 19146.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Philadelphia
- New Castle
- Adams
- Berks
- Bucks
- Carbon
- Chester
- Cumberland
- Dauphin
- Delaware
- Juniata
- Lackawanna
- Lancaster
- Lehigh
- Luzerne
- Lycoming
- Mifflin
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Montour
- Northampton
- Northumberland
- Perry
- Pike
- Schuylkill
- Sullivan
- Susquehanna
- Union
- Wayne
- York
Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware - Chester Corps
The Salvation Army in Chester offers hope and creates change. Whether it's embracing the homeless, uplifting the abused or abandoned, training and mentoring the disadvantaged, providing character building programs for youth, or assisting the displaced or elderly, The Salvation Army's goal remains the same: serving the most people, meeting the most needs, doing the most good!
Chester Corps Community Center provides emergency food boxes for hungry individuals and families. Second and fourth Wednesday of every month.
For more information, please contact the center at 610-874-4266.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (610) 874-4266 to book your appointment.
Address :
151 W 15th St,
Chester, PA 19013.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:30 AM - 08:30 PM
- Tues: 08:30 AM - 08:30 PM
- Wed: 08:30 AM - 08:30 PM
- Thurs: 08:30 AM - 08:30 PM
- Fri: 08:30 AM - 08:30 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Bucks
- Chester
- Delaware
- Montgomery
- Philadelphia
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Downingtown, Pennsylvania have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.
Churches operate with food donations gathered and deliver to the food pantry nearest you by individuals using food drives.
Some churches also deliver food items to elderly who are unable to drive to a nearest community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.
We have located 1 Church Food Pantry locations in Downingtown, Pennsylvania which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Great Valley Presbyterian Church
Great Valley Presbyterian Church serve those living nearby. A year-round ministry to the homeless in Philadelphia sends a team into the city monthly to provide food, clothing and spiritual strength to our brothers and sisters who struggle on the streets every day. A team from Great Valley works monthly with Good Works, a home repair ministry that helps low-income families in Chester County. We also support through donations and volunteers, a local crisis pregnancy center, two organizations reaching students, a home for unwed mothers and a men's shelter in Coatesville, PA. A number of families in our community receive food baskets delivered by members of the congregation at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Services provided :
- food delivery
- food pantry
- help pay for housing
- maintenance & repairs
- residential housing
- long-term housing
- clothing
- medical care
- checkup & test
- pregnancy tests
- financial assistance
- support network
- spiritual support
- temporary shelter
- meals
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (610) 644-1995 to book your appointment.
Address :
2025 Swedesford Rd,
Malvern, PA 19355.
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Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Chester
- Philadelphia
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
Resources provided by the Catholic Charity organization focus on addressing food, holiday, and immigration needs.
Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charity centers for help.
Catholic Charities in Downingtown, Pennsylvania are open to families on a first-come, first-serve basis. The centers operate during normal business hours, and provide walk-ins with groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal.
The food pantries are like grocery stores, allow clients the ability to choose the items they need from the groceries that are available on site.
First-time clients of the food pantry will need to apply, and this is done from a one-page application. An applicant will need to provide basic household member as well as demographic information.
We have located 0 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Downingtown, Pennsylvania which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Downingtown, Pennsylvania almost entirely by volunteers.
It provides a 7-day supply of groceries and personal care items free of charge to people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Helping Hands is supported entirely by donations from individuals, service organizations, churches, and businesses in our community.
Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.
We have located 0 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in Downingtown, Pennsylvania which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Mobile Food Pantry
The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around Downingtown, Pennsylvania in need during large-scale one-day distributions.
A typical mobile pantry serves 200-250 families distributing up to 10,000 pounds of food. This past year over 6.6 million pounds were distributed through this program.
Mobile food pantries usually visit churches, community centers, schools, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. They usually go to areas where there aren't grocery stores or other food pantries.
Mobile Food Pantry Schedule 2024
Unlike traditional food pantries where you go to them, mobile pantry trucks come to you. Food banks sometimes have an online mobile food pantry schedule.
Mobile food pantry scheduled to visit a community once a week or once a month. There may be last-minute cancellations or changes so recheck the mobile food pantry schedule before you plan to go.
We have located 0 Mobile Food Pantry locations in Downingtown, Model.Content.StateName which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry operates around Downingtown, Pennsylvania much like a grocery store where people in need can choose their own food. It helps to enhance their personal dignity and reduces waste due to unwanted food items.
It also helps them to be proactive in addressing any underlying health issues. This is our model of choice for food pantries in the future.
We have located 0 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Downingtown, Pennsylvania which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Downingtown, Pennsylvania area. This makes it just a bit easier for some of more remote rural agencies to receive their products. About 70% of members take advantage of the Food Pantry Delivery Program.
Food Pantry
We have located 5 Food Pantry locations in Downingtown, Pennsylvania which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Family Worship Center
Food Pantry Ministry offers meals to the people who are in need. The food pantry is located in the second floor Children's Center.
Please visit us for the services.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (215) 361-2431 to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Philadelphia, PA 19154.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Montgomery
- Bucks
- Chester
- Delaware
- Philadelphia
Bebashi
All Bebashi clients can access the Second Helping Emergency Food Cupboard once per month. This service is open to anyone in need. The primary goal of the hunger relief program is to address the needs of our low-income, disenfranchised consumers who are struggling to feed themselves and their families. Through this program, consumers are able to receive both perishable and nonperishable food items. In addition, through a relationship with City Harvest, a group of local farmers, fresh vegetables are often available from spring to fall.
Non-Bebashi clients require a referral letter from a social worker.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.
Address :
1235 Spring Garden St,
Philadelphia, PA 19123.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Bucks
- Burlington
- Camden
- Cecil
- Chester
- Delaware
- Gloucester
- Montgomery
- New Castle
- Philadelphia
- Salem
Feast Of Justice
State Food provides food where pick up is twice monthly and must be 2 weeks apart.
-Bring Feast of Justice card and photo ID with current address.
-Income level must be declared.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (215) 268-3510 to book your appointment.
Address :
3101 Tyson Ave,
Philadelphia, PA 19149.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Bucks
- Chester
- Delaware
- Montgomery
- Philadelphia
Lutheran Settlement House
The LSH Food Cupboard is available Monday-Friday, 9AM-4PM. All ages are welcome. No referrals are required.
Call Hungry 2 Healthy Coordinator Chloe Warnick with any questions at 215-426-8610 x1298.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (215) 387-2587 to book your appointment.
Address :
25 S 43rd St,
Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Castle
- Cecil
- Burlington
- Camden
- Gloucester
- Salem
- Bucks
- Chester
- Delaware
- Montgomery
- Philadelphia
Feast Of Justice
Feast of Justice is a ministry operated out of St. John’s Lutheran Church in northeast Philadelphia. All though we operate out of St. John’s, we are a cooperative effort of community churches, companies and individuals. Our mission is to support the community by transforming the lives of its residents.
We offer a community cupboard, which provides families with emergency, supplemental food every month. Pick up is once per month.
Documents required for new registrants:
• Proof of household size (for instance: original Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport for every person in the household)
• Photo ID with your current address
For revisiting registrants, please bring the following documents to your visit:
• Feast of Justice card and
• Photo ID with current address
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (215) 268-3510 to book your appointment.
Address :
3101 Tyson Ave,
Philadelphia, PA 19149.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Bucks
- Burlington
- Camden
- Cecil
- Chester
- Delaware
- Gloucester
- Montgomery
- New Castle
- Philadelphia
- Salem
Drive-thru Food Pantries
Since the start of the coronavirus, drive-thru food pantries have become the safest, most efficient way to provide food to our struggling neighbors.
Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?
Drive-thru pantries are open for anyone who needs help getting food. There are no eligibility criteria. Visitors do not need to provide any identification or income statements.
Only two piece of information is asked
- You Zipcode, and
- Number of people in their family.
You dont need to take appointment. Drive-thru pantries are first-come, first served so plan to arrive early.
How do drive-thru pantries actually work?
There are lot of volunteers help at Drive-thru food pantries. While not all drive-thru pantries operate in the same way, here�s how most work:
Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the parking area.
Visitors pull up to the pantry in their car and are usually guided into a clearly marked queue. As people move through the pantry, staff will continue to move the cars forward to get everyone through as quickly and safely as possible.
Checkin.
You are required to fill some information for Pantry's recording keeping.
Food is loaded into the cars.
Pre-packed bags of food, usually full of shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats are loaded by volunteers into the trunk of the car.
Pet Food Pantry
One in four pet owners who give up their pets to a shelter say it is because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet Food Pantries are designed to fill the void in the nation�s current assistance programs that exclude the purchase of food and supplies for family pets.
The Pet Food Pantry provides free pet food, for 3 months or less, to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Who are eligible for Pet Food Pantry
Pet Food Pantry helps people who are:
- All ages, races and marital status
- Unemployed or underemployed
- Retired, living on social security or other limited income
- Physically or mentally disabled
- Experiencing homelessness or housing instability
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.