Phone: (480) 488-1145
Address: 6038 E Hidden Valley Dr, Cave Creek, AZ 85331. Get Directions
Listed hours, call to confirm:
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Thurs: 10:00 AM - 08:00 PM
- Fri: 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Foothills Food Bank provides an emergency supply of food, referral information and financial assistance to individuals and families in the foothills area that are in a crisis situation.
Food is our primary resource for our registered clients who live in our designated area. Clients can receive the following types of groceries:
•30 Day or Monthly Food-Once per month, 30 lbs. of food per person in household for 3 days. Included is a variety of meats, soups, cereals, pasta and sauce, baked goods, detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, water, fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, pet food when needed, and personal items when available.
•7 Day Food-Once a week our clients can visit and obtain fruits and vegetables, bread and baked goods, any snack and soup items available, baby food and wipes, and any surplus we have. This will help stretch the week for each household.
•Care Club-Is an additional resource put in place to assist in-need households with purchasing groceries. The Foothills Food Bank provides groceries at a discounted rate to those participating in the program. Care Club takes place on the first Wednesday and the third Thursday of each month.
The Foothills Food Bank now provides a limited supply of gluten-free food for those who are gluten-intolerant in our community. We have partnered with Caring Corp to supply food to our home-bound clients. The Food Bank provides the food and packaging, being sensitive to certain dietary needs. Caring Corp delivers the packages.
We provide limited amounts of pet food for dogs and cats. The goal is to keep pets with their families, as pets are often given up in times of financial strain. Clients with pets may request pet food on their Monthly Food request.
Areas we serve are North along I-17 to Black Canyon City, West to I-17, South to Pinnacle Peak and East to Rio Verde.
Services provided :
- food delivery
- food pantry
- animal welfare
Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
- Yavapai
Appointments
Ask whether you need an appointment before you visit.
You can call (480) 488-1145 to ask about appointments, hours, and what to bring.
Questions to Ask
Always call ahead and find out some basic information before you go to receive food.
- What are your hours of operation?
- Where can I pick up the food I need?
Document Requirements
Please ask about any documents required to prove eligibility. Some of the questions to ask:
- Do I need to bring photo identification?
- Do I need to bring a piece of mail (like an electrical bill) that shows my name and address?
- Do I need to bring proof of income or bank account statements?
- Do I need to register for service, or is it "first come, first served"?
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objective is to help low-income individuals and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
A food bank serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. It is stored in a large climate-controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches people who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many food banks and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, and some food banks have none. Some let you come during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are some tips before you go:
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
High food costs continue to put pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America reports that its network provides 5.9 billion meals a year.
The Feeding America network has grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
A listing on this page doesn't mean an organization is part of the Feeding America network. To find a member food bank, use Feeding America's finder.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP is also known as Food Stamp.
Nationally, SNAP served approximately 42 million Americans per month in fiscal year 2025. To ask about SNAP benefits in Cave Creek, contact your state SNAP office. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In fiscal year 2025, about 12.3% of the U.S. population received SNAP benefits in an average month.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
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 bank?
Cave Creek food banks often have items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Cave Creek food bank assistance?
Requirements vary, and some food banks and pantries ask for no paperwork at all. Call ahead. Some may ask you to bring:
- A state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of household members
- A bill or other mail that shows your address
- Proof of income, such as a bank statement