A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Mesa, Arizona 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 Mesa, Arizona 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 Mesa, Arizona which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - TEMPE, AZ: Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Young Adult
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (480) 967-8649 to book your appointment.
Address :
40 E University Dr,
Mesa, AZ 85201.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
The Salvation Army - Rogers, AR
Services provided :
- Camping Activities
- Christian Education
- Men's Ministries
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Store
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (479) 636-6805 to book your appointment.
Address :
504 N Rogers, DIXIELAND,
Mesa, AZ 85201.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Mesa, Arizona 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 7 Church Food Pantry locations in Mesa, Arizona which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Victory Lutheran Church
Our food bank provides non - perishable food and toiletry items to hundreds of families each month.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- personal care items
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (480) 830-5024 to book your appointment.
Address :
5946 E University Dr,
Mesa, AZ 85205.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Mesa
Calvary Free Lutheran Church
The Desert Manna Food Pantry provides free food to feed families and individuals in need. We supply groceries for residents that do not have enough food because they lack the resources to purchase it. We serve everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry for food assistance. We serve everyone regardless of their race, color, or religion. The amount of food given depends on household size.
We are equipped to serve the community living between Power Road and Meridian, and between McKellips Road and Southern Avenue. If you live outside of this area, we will be able direct you to a Food Bank closer to you.
Documents Required:
-Photo ID
-Proof of Address
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 (480) 981-3993 to book your appointment.
Address :
590 N 96th St,
Mesa, AZ 85207.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM EST
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Mesa
Life's Destiny Church
Lifes Destiny Church maintains a food bank to serve the hungry of our community and all who are in need are welcome to come and pick up a food box during our regular food bank hours. Food Bank Hours: Tuesdays from 10:00am to 1:00 pm.
For more information, call 480-588-7960.
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 (480) 588-7960 to book your appointment.
Address :
2601 E Brown Rd,
Mesa, AZ 85213.
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:
- Maricopa
St. Mark's Episcopal Church - St. Mark's Food Pantry
The Food Pantry outreach program serves all Mesa residents and is open for distribution every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Families are entitled to receive food once a month from this facility. The process includes an interview with the family and they are referred to additional community resources when appropriate. There are both English and Spanish speaking interviewers. All clients wishing to pick up food must bring an ID and proof of Mesa residence, such as a utility bill.
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 (480) 964-5820 to book your appointment.
Address :
322 N Horne St,
Mesa, AZ 85203.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Mesa
Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
Church of The Master - Christian Assistance Network (C.A.N)
CAN is a faith-based outreach program to those within a five mile radius of CotM. CAN addresses the critical community need for assistance to the working poor when illness, loss of job, and family crisis leaves children and adults hungry, at risk of loss of shelter or utilities. In 2013 CAN blessed 125 families in the Mesa community with Thanksgiving Food Boxes - more than $21,300 went to families to help pay for rent or utilities - more than 6,385 bags of food were distributed and over 1,975 children were fed. The prayers of God's people were showered on His children in need who came to CAN hungry, thirsty, without adequate clothes, or lonely - all in the Name and to the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ! Mondays from 9am to 11am.
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 (480) 985-1660 to book your appointment.
Address :
6659 E University Dr,
Mesa, AZ 85205.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Mesa
Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
Gateway Bible Church - Food Boxes
The 2nd Thursday of every month from 3pm to 5pm, we serve our community by giving out food boxes.
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 (480) 834-9091 to book your appointment.
Address :
1621 N Pasadena,
Mesa, AZ 85201.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Mesa
Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
Broadway Christian Church Food Box Ministry
Our Food Box Ministry offers material and spiritual food to those in need. Food Box hours are 9am-12pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
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 (480) 981-0802 to book your appointment.
Address :
7335 E Broadway Rd,
Mesa, AZ 85208.
Get Directions
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- Mesa
Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
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 Mesa, Arizona 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 Mesa, Arizona 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 Mesa, Arizona 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 Mesa, Arizona 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 Mesa, Arizona 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 Mesa, 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 Mesa, Arizona 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 1 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Mesa, Arizona which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Wayne Unruh Dining Room
With one of the largest industrial kitchens in the Southwest and five charitable dining rooms, St. Vincent de Paul is able to serve over 1.2 million meals to hungry families and individuals each year. Weekday Hours: Breakfast - Closed; Lunch - 9:30–11:30am; Dinner - Closed; Weekend Hours: Breakfast - Closed; Lunch - 9:30–11:30am; Dinner - Closed
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 (480) 649-0081 to book your appointment.
Address :
67 W Broadway Rd,
Mesa, AZ 85210.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Mesa
Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Mesa, Arizona 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 3 Food Pantry locations in Mesa, Arizona which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
United Food Bank
The co-op program allows clients to purchase pre-assembled food bags containing 15 to 20 pounds of different meat and produce for $20. As available, Help Yourself clients can also make selections from a variety of complimentary items like breads and pastries, dairy and deli products. The program offers a great opportunity for anyone who’d like to make the most of their food budgets; weekly or monthly. There are no qualifying requirements or limits so it open to the public.
Help Yourself is held every Friday from 8 am to 12 pm at the Javelina Vounteer Annex. You must wear shoes in the warehouse for safety reasons.
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 (480) 926-4897 to book your appointment.
Address :
358 E Javelina Ave,
Mesa, AZ 85210.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
- Pinal
Deacons Food Cupboard at FPC
In a land of plenty, no one should have to go hungry. The Deacons Food Cupboard at FPC is, for many, a welcome alternative to prospect of hunger. Often it is a mother seeking groceries for her family, at other times it is a homeless person just looking for a can of beans and a few crackers. The food cupboard ministry is refreshed through monthly food donations by church members and by assistance from the United Food Bank. Up to 50 bags of groceries are given away each week.
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 (480) 964-8606 to book your appointment.
Address :
161 N Mesa Dr,
Mesa, AZ 85201.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Mesa
Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
Without Walls Christian Center - Manna Food Bank
Our food bank provides free food to over 50,000 families each month and provides a beacon of hope to people who feel hopeless. The only requirement to receive food is a state-issued ID. We especially love to bless the people of Without Walls. If you need a little help with groceries, please do not hesitate to visit Manna Food Bank. Weekly Food Bank Hours - Monday: 3:30 – 4:30 pm; Wednesday: 3:30 – 4:30 pm; Friday: 3:30 – 4:30 pm; Saturday: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
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 (480) 615-2799 to book your appointment.
Address :
1135 E Main St,
Mesa, AZ 85203.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Mesa
Help Residents of Counties:
- Maricopa
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 Mesa, Arizona
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.