A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Madison, Alabama 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 Madison, Alabama 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 2 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Madison, Alabama which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Huntsville,AL
Services provided :
- Adult Rehabilitation Center
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Store
- Worship Services - Church
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (256) 536-5576 to book your appointment.
Address :
2114 Oakwood Ave NW,
Huntsville, AL 35810.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Madison
The Salvation Army - Decatur
Food Assistance - The Salvation Army averages 52 households per week through the food program. Many referrals are made from the Food Stamp Program; we assist clients with food pending the approval of their Food Stamps. Anyone in need of food is eligible to receive food assistance. Assistance is given every six months per household/person. This program helps ease the financial burden of purchasing groceries, giving families an opportunity to become financially stable. Clothing Assistance - Clothing through our Thrift Store is provided to clients who are in need. This program helps parents cloth their children for school and changing climate, helps individuals who need clothing for work assignments, and helps to cloth those who are homeless and unemployed or have low income. Assistance is given every six months per household/person. Through this program, children and parents are properly clothed and individuals are able to secure employment by obtaining necessary clothing and shoes. Clothing vouchers are only given on Wednesdays. Disaster Relief Services and Fire Victims - Victims of a disaster are assisted through The Salvation Army. Fire victims receive assistance with home furnishings, household items and clothing. This program helps to ease some of the stress caused by a disaster or fire, as well as providing the basic human needs during a troubling time.
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 (256) 353-2822 to book your appointment.
Address :
114 14th St Sw Bldg A-1,
Decatur, AL 35601.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Decatur
Help Residents of Counties:
- Morgan
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Madison, Alabama 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 2 Church Food Pantry locations in Madison, Alabama which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
6th Avenue Church Of God Food Pantry
We try and keep a large pantry stocked with can goods and dry goods to help with the emergency food needs that people often have. As a general rule, we do not hand out money to people, but we will provide enough nutritious food to feed them for a couple of days.
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 (256) 355-0795 to book your appointment.
Address :
716 6th Ave Se,
Decatur, AL 35601.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Decatur
Help Residents of Counties:
- Morgan
St. John AME Church Kitchen Ministry
This ministry consists of the Food Service and Soup Kitchen Ministries. Food Service: This ministry is responsible for coordinating all food service for church activities. This includes preparing and serving meals for bereaved families as well as food for special events like Sunrise Service, AAMU Day or refreshments for workshops and special days. Soup Kitchen: The Soup Kitchen is open the third and fourth Tuesdays of each month. A warm meal of soup, sandwiches and dessert is served to all. Members of the church and the community are invited to partake of this free lunch.
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 (256) 534-3265 to book your appointment.
Address :
229 Church St,
Huntsville, AL 35801.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Huntsville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Madison
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 Madison, Alabama 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 Madison, Alabama 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 Madison, Alabama 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 Madison, Alabama 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 Madison, Alabama 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 Madison, 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 Madison, Alabama 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 Madison, Alabama 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 Madison, Alabama 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 7 Food Pantry locations in Madison, Alabama which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Progressive Christian Outreach Ministry, Inc. - Out Of The Rain Mission Center
Our help is available for those who are in need of emergency food and clothing. Our facility is located at 635 Memorial Drive, SW as a part of the Outreach Program of the Progressive Christian Outreach Ministry Corporation. Our purpose is to serve our community with genuine love and confidentiality to the highest degree. We desire that no one go without food or clothing for any length of time that would put them in a state of despair. So therefore, we have operation hours that would be conducive to normal livelihood matters. We provide USDA inspected food items. Our clothing is in the highest of quality condition. While our clothing is donated apparels, we take pride in inspecting every piece to assure that they are washed, clean and ready to wear.
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 (256) 340-2020 to book your appointment.
Address :
635 Memorial Dr Sw,
Decatur, AL 35601.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Decatur
Help Residents of Counties:
- Morgan
Manna House
Manna House is a 501(c)3 Public Charity that provides food assistance to those in need. We are supported by contributions from individuals, churches, civic groups, and businesses. While some food is donated and locally grown most is purchased for our distribution programs.
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 (256) 653-7883 to book your appointment.
Address :
2110 S Memorial Pkwy,
Huntsville, AL 35801.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Huntsville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Madison
The Rose of Sharon Soup Kitchen and Thrift Store
We are a non-profit, 501c3, non-denominational ministry to the homeless and needy in Huntsville, Alabama. We serve two meals daily, Monday through Friday and on Saturday's we serve one big meal. We also offer monthly clothing assistance to those in need, and in the colder months, we supply them with blankets, coats, hats, scarves and gloves, to help them stay warm. Mon-Fri Meal Times: Breakfast 9:00-9:30; Lunch 11:00-12:00; Sat. there is ONE meal from 11:00-12:00
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 (256) 536-2970 to book your appointment.
Address :
2412 Memorial Pkwy Nw,
Huntsville, AL 35810.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Huntsville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Madison
Neighborhood Christian Center
The Neighborhood Christian Center (NCC) is a nonprofit organization that dedicates itself to serving the needs of the city’s poor. The strength and success of the Center lie in the compassionate ministry to practical needs as an integral part of sharing the gospel. NCC offers food, clothing, household items, emergency aid, tutorial, life skill classes and Bible studies to all it serves. The work of NCC is focused on helping children, teenagers, and adults to overcome the multiplying problems of the downward spiral of poverty: hunger, low self-esteem, lack of good examples, etc. At the core of the Center’s work is the promotion of a genuine and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ who offers renewal and a reason for living.
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 (256) 351-7633 to book your appointment.
Address :
619 Bank St,
Decatur, AL 35601.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Decatur
Help Residents of Counties:
- Morgan
Jubilee Food Pantry
Jubilee Family Worship Center operates a food pantry as an outreach to our community. Jubilee Food Pantry serves all of Morgan County. Jubilee Food Pantry is supported by the congregation of the church and other private donors and sponsors. The bulk of the food is purchased through the North Alabama Food Bank in Huntsville. Other food products are donated throughout the year from drives sponsored locally such as Can-A-Thon (WAFF 48) or the Postal Letter Carriers. People who come to the food pantry are required to provide "proof" of their need through an Eligibility Criteria Form provided by the USDA. We strive to make the approval process as easy as possible. Once approved, the patrons may pick up an allotment once per month. Each allotment is based on what is available to us and food we "glean" from donors like Wal-Mart and Publix. Everyone will receive a packaged bag of canned goods and other non-perishable food. They also are given bread, cakes, fruit and other items available from time to time like toothpaste or shampoo. Each allotment is usually over 30 lbs. of FREE help. The pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am until 2pm.
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 (256) 502-8155 to book your appointment.
Address :
2704 Point Mallard Pkwy Se,
Decatur, AL 35603.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Decatur
Help Residents of Counties:
- Morgan
The CARE Center Food Pantry
The CARE Center Food Pantry serves those in the community with a 3 day supply of emergency food assistance. Although it meets a tangible need, those that are served also are equipped with job resources, Christian devotionals, and a variety of other resources and announcements to help break the cycle of poverty. This area is open Wednesday and Saturday from 9-noon and Thursday from 2pm-5pm.
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 (256) 723-2273 to book your appointment.
Address :
5439 Main Dr,
New Hope, AL 35760.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- New Hope
Help Residents of Counties:
- Madison
Big Cove EMBC Food Pantry
As an ongoing effort to assist families in need within our EMBC church and surrounding community we have recently developed the Food Pantry. Non-perishable food can be made available every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.
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 (256) 518-9063 to book your appointment.
Address :
7033 Hwy 431,
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Owens Cross Roads
Help Residents of Counties:
- Madison
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 Madison, Alabama
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.