Food Pantry in Madera, California

A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Madera, California 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 Madera, California 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 1 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Madera, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Salvation Army Del Oro Division - Lodi Corps

Salvation Army Lodi Corps helps alleviate the symptoms of poverty - and works to address the root issues that cause it by providing programs that serve the body, mind and soul.

Family services endeavor to strengthen and unify the family unit, whether it is a traditional two-parent family, a blended family, or a household led by a single adult. Emphasis is placed upon the importance of the family unit. We assist families in need by providing food, housing and utility assistance. Best of all, these programs enable parents to stay with their children, even when placed in emergency shelters.

Our program services are constantly expanding:

•Shelter-Housing insecurity and prolonged poverty are strongly linked, and that's why we work to provide short and long-term housing assistance to displaced families and individuals. We offer many programs that offer refuge to struggling men, women, children and families from overnight and emergency shelters for those finding themselves homeless for the first time to transitional living centers that help rebuild lives. Along with meeting immediate physical needs such as food and shelter, these establishments provide educational, counseling and vocational services to help individuals develop vital life skills and independence for reentry into society.
•Meal Assistance-Many families and individuals facing poverty often must make the painful choice heating and eating - that is, they must decide whether they'll pay their bills or pay for food. Without sufficient funds, many are forced to go without a warm, nutritious meal in order to keep a roof over their head.
•Bill Pay Assistance-We help struggling families and individuals avoid falling into the cycle of crisis by supplementing their income with utility, rent and other vital payments. This assistance often becomes the difference between shelter and eviction, between maintaining honest work and selling drugs or services for money, and between keeping kids in one place and moving them out of their home and onto the streets.
•Employment Assistance-As part of our comprehensive approach to helping families and individuals overcome poverty, we offer educational resources, career coaching and job placement opportunities to assist those in need secure stable and gainful employment.

Please contact the location closest to you for services.

Services provided :

  • help pay for housing
  • help pay for utilities
  • temporary shelter
  • food pantry
  • help find housing
  • help find work
  • skills & training
  • disaster response
  • spiritual support
  • 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 (209) 369-5896 to book your appointment.

Address :

525 W Lockeford St,
Lodi, CA 95240.
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:

  • Butte
  • Colusa
  • El Dorado
  • Fresno
  • Glenn
  • Kern
  • Kings
  • Madera
  • Merced
  • Sacramento
  • San Joaquin
  • Shasta
  • Stanislaus
  • Sutter
  • Tehama
  • Tulare
  • Yolo
  • Yuba

Church Food Pantry

A number of churches around Madera, California 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 0 Church Food Pantry locations in Madera, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

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 Madera, California 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 Madera, California 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 Madera, California 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 Madera, California 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 Madera, California 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 Madera, 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 Madera, California 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 Madera, California 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 Madera, California 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 Madera, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

City of Reedley CA

The City of Reedley provides year around services and programs for the seniors of Reedley. Our volunteers work on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis to help carry out our services and programs.

We offer Information and Assistance, finding services to meet the needs of seniors and their families can be very challenging. The Reedley Senior Services Office would like to help.

-Senior Gleaners-Fresh fruits and vegetables are distributed to seniors every Wednesday by the volunteer Senior Gleaners. Distribution is done on the patio at the Reedley Community Center at 8:30 am. Donations are welcomed and new senior 'gleaners' are too. You must be at least 55 years old to participate. Must have ID available.
-A HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) volunteer may be able to assist you with questions about supplemental health insurance, Medicare or HMO's. This program is designed to assist seniors with filing claims, understanding coverage, and fighting denials of claims by both Medicare and any HMO. Call the HICAP central office at 800-434-0222 to set up an appointment.
-Senior Blood Pressure Testing-Senior citizens may have their blood pressure and weight checked by volunteers on the first Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am. This free service is provided for seniors in the Foyer at the Reedley Community Center, provided by Golden Living Center staff.
-Equipment Loan Service-The Senior Services Office has a small loan equipment service. This service is for any senior who may need to borrow, for a short time, wheelchairs, walkers, portable potty chairs, and/or transfer bench shower chair.
-Computer Class-We have free computer classes offered through the Reedley Adult School on Mondays from 1:00-3:00 pm and for Beginners, 3:00-5:00 pm for Website Creation during the school year. Please call us for more information.

If you are interested in any of the services available to seniors, please give us a call or stop by the Senior Center.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • health education
  • checkup & test
  • government benefits
  • understand government programs
  • navigating the system

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (559) 637-4207 to book your appointment.

Address :

100 N East Ave,
Reedley, CA 93654.
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:

  • Fresno
  • Madera

City of Selma CA

The Selma Senior Center invites anyone age 55 and over to participate in its many activities. The Center provides educational programs, health services, recreation, information and assistance, meals and socialization. Activities include bingo, ceramics, crafts, exercise, billiards, cards, games, trips and great reading material from the Senior Center library.

The Selma Senior Center offers free cell phones that can be used to call 911 in case of an emergency and requires no monthly service charge. Please remember, these will only dial 911.

Lunches are served Monday through Friday to people age 60 and over.

Contact us at 559-891-2237 for information.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • personal safety
  • health education
  • recreation
  • navigating the system
  • advocacy & legal aid
  • 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 (559) 891-2237 to book your appointment.

Address :

2301 Selma St,
Selma, CA 93662.
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:

  • Fresno
  • Madera

City of Clovis in California

Clovis Senior Services sponsors a wide range of classes, programs and activities to promote healthy and independent living for individuals 50 years and older. No membership fee is required, although classes and sessions have a small activity fee and/or registration fee. Also, participants are asked to complete a confidential registration form with contact information in the case of emergencies.

Join friends, old and new, for lunch at the Clovis Senior Activity Center. Donations are accepted, but if you’re 60 years of age of over, we’re happy to serve you whether or not you choose to donate. Call the Clovis Senior Activity Center by 11:00 am the day before you plan to visit so a meal can be reserved for you.

We also welcome other guests for a small fee to cover the cost of the meal. Arrangements may be made at the center for the delivery of meals for homebound seniors who are unable to visit our site for lunch. The meal program is funded in part through a grant from the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging.

Senior Activity Services programs, which include:

•Leisure activities
•Educational opportunities
•Advocacy services
•Nutritional lunch and Homebound Meals
•Health/wellness/fitness programs
•Information & Assistance
•Transportation
•Volunteer opportunities
•Tax and forms assistance
•Library and computer lab
•Health Insurance Assistance (HIC
•Loan Closet

Social events range from dances and holiday parties to trips and informal gatherings. On more than a few occasions, single seniors have met and developed meaningful relationships with other singles. In fact, the center has been the site of three weddings. Classes vary in intensity, from low-impact to more strenuous and demanding activities.

Among the services available for seniors at the center is information on qualifying and applying for Renters Assistance, which involves financial aid for low-income seniors.

The Clovis Senior Center programs are for senior citizens who are independent and can care for their own personal needs. We are not a daycare facility and there is no medical staff on site. Seniors are welcome to bring an attendant or care giver with them in order to enjoy our services and programs.

In addition to classes, activities and programs, seniors are welcome to drop in for coffee, cards and conversation. Call the center for more information at 559-324-2750.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • health education
  • exercise & fitness
  • tax preparation
  • recreation
  • navigating the system
  • advocacy & legal aid
  • 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 (559) 324-2750 to book your appointment.

Address :

850 4th St,
Clovis, CA 93612.
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:

  • Fresno
  • Madera

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 Madera, California

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.