Food Banks Listed for Jefferson County, Arkansas
We found 4 food banks listed for Jefferson County, Arkansas. Call before you go to confirm hours and what to bring. You can also see food pantries in Jefferson County, Arkansas.
Arkansas Foodbank
Phone: (501) 565-8121
Address: 4301 W 65th St, Little Rock, AR 72209. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
In 1984, hunger advocates in central Arkansas opened the Arkansas Foodbank in a storefront because local food pantries didn’t have the storage space to accept truckloads of food donations. Using economies of scale, the Foodbank staff soon began acquiring and distributing the donated food more cost-effectively, splitting the loads into smaller amounts that fit the pantries’ immediate needs. Since that first warehouse opened, the goal has been to distribute larger and larger quantities of food. Today, we’re the largest source of non-government donated food in Arkansas, distributing upwards of 16 million pounds annually.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (501) 565-8121 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Little Rock
Help Residents of Counties:
- Faulkner
- White
- Pulaski
- Jefferson
Church Food Banks in Jefferson County, Arkansas
Some churches in and around Jefferson County, Arkansas run food banks or serve free meals.
Many welcome anyone who needs a meal. Some also offer services such as showers, laundry, mail, or I.D. assistance, so call ahead to confirm what is available.
The Church at Rock Creek Foodbank
Phone: (501) 221-1051
Address: 11500 W 36th St, Little Rock, AR 72211. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Church at Rock Creek has served the Little Rock community since the year 2000. Those seeking assistance with the food bank may call the Care Center office between 8:00 A.M. and 11:30 A.M. and schedule an appointment for that afternoon. At that time food can be distributed. In addition to servicing the community Tuesday through Friday, holiday food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas are given to families throughout the surrounding areas.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (501) 221-1051 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Little Rock
Help Residents of Counties:
- Faulkner
- White
- Pulaski
- Jefferson
Forest Tower Baptist Church Food Bank
Phone: (870) 942-7757
Address: 4303 Grant 53, Hensley, AR 72065. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
FTBC Food Bank takes place the 3rd Saturday of every month from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (870) 942-7757 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hensley
Help Residents of Counties:
- Pulaski
- Jefferson
Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Food Bank
Phone: (501) 975-0900
Address: 2501-2617 S Main St, Little Rock, AR 72216. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Hours of Operation: Tuesday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays (Emergencies Only). Special baskets are given out during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (501) 975-0900 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Little Rock
Help Residents of Counties:
- Faulkner
- White
- Pulaski
- Jefferson
Food prices remain high. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 136.0 points in September 2026, up 5.8% from a year earlier.
A 36% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on Arkansas Free Clinics, Arkansas Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about food banks in Jefferson County, Arkansas and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
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 in Jefferson County, Arkansas 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. A food bank in Jefferson County, Arkansas 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 in Jefferson County, Arkansas 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.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Many communities across the United States are served by food banks that use the Second Harvest name.
These food banks help families facing hard choices between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities. We don't have a food bank with the Second Harvest name listed for Jefferson County, Arkansas right now.
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 Jefferson County, Arkansas, 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?
Jefferson County 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 Jefferson County 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