A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Oakley, 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 Oakley, 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 7 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Oakley, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - CONCORD, CA: Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Clinics Services
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Day Care
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Group Work Services
- Latchkey Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Nutrition Programs
- Rehabilitation
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- Transitional Housing
- Visitation 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 (925) 676-6180 to book your appointment.
Address :
3950 Clayton Rd,
Concord, CA 94521.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
The Salvation Army - RICHMOND (El Sobrante), CA: Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- 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 (510) 262-0582 to book your appointment.
Address :
4600 Appian Way, EL,
El Sobrante, CA 94803.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
The Salvation Army - Silvercrest Residences: El Sobrante-Silvercrest Senior Citizens' Residence
Services provided :
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- Senior Citizens Residences
- Visitation Services
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (510) 758-1518 to book your appointment.
Address :
4630 Appian Way, EL,
El Sobrante, CA 94803.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
The Salvation Army - ANTIOCH, CA: Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Disaster Services
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Latchkey 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 - 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 (925) 778-0808 to book your appointment.
Address :
620 E Tregallas Rd,
Antioch, CA 94509.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
Salvation Army Family Store
Services provided :
- Drop Box
- Salvation Army Family Store
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (925) 685-6900 to book your appointment.
Address :
1806 Linda Dr,
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
The Salvation Army - HENDERSON, NC
Services provided :
- Aid to Families
- Alcohol and Drug Treatment
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Group Work Services
- Men's Ministries
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Missing Persons
- Music & Arts Programs
- Rehabilitation
- Seasonal Services
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- Store
- Visitation 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 (252) 438-7107 to book your appointment.
Address :
355 Alexander Ave, HENDERSON,
Crockett, CA 94525.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
The Salvation Army of Redwood City
Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. When hard times hit, The Salvation Army is here to help meet all of your basic needs. Whether you need a bag of groceries to get through the week, a hot meal, or assistance paying an outstanding bill, every county in California has either a Salvation Army Worship and Community Center, Service Center, or Service Unit representative ready to help.
Services provided :
- disaster response
- emergency payments
- emergency food
- food pantry
- nutrition education
- toys & gifts
- financial assistance
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (650) 368-4643ext to book your appointment.
Address :
660 Veterans Blvd,
Redwood City, CA 94063.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 04:30 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 04:30 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 04:30 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 04:30 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Marin
- San Francisco
- San Mateo
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Oakley, 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 4 Church Food Pantry locations in Oakley, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
First Family Church
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 that needs help. We serve everyone regardless of their race, color, or religion. The amount of food given depends on household size.
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 (925) 706-1238 to book your appointment.
Address :
3195 Contra Loma Blvd,
Antioch, CA 94509.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Tues: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Wed: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Thurs: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Fri: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Marin
- San Francisco
- San Mateo
Hillcrest Congregational Church - Food Room
Hillcrest Congregational Church has a food pantry serving Contra Costa Country and we provide free food to people in need. You will receive a 3 day supply of food. Please bring identification for each person in the family. Food is given out to an individual or family up to 4 times per year. OPEN: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 a.m.-11:45. A 3 day supply of food is given which includes meat, margarine, canned goods, cereal, bread, peanut butter, rice, pasta and other staples as available.
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 (925) 686-3663 to book your appointment.
Address :
404 Gregory Ln,
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Pleasant Hill
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
Parkhaven Community Church Food Pantry
We serve our community weekly on Tuesdays from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. This meets basic needs for supplemental groceries for over 50 families per week. In addition, it provides meaningful interaction, consistent and practical ways to co-labor, celebrate and even grieve with our neighbors. Volunteer opportunities are available Starting at 9:00am until 5:30pm
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 (925) 671-0702 to book your appointment.
Address :
1187 Meadow Ln,
Concord, CA 94520.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Concord
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
NorthCreek Church - NorthCreek Food Pantry
The NorthCreek Food Pantry provides food to those in need to those in the San Francisco Bay Area, donated by the NorthCreek church body. If you or your family are in need of groceries, we would love to help.
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 (925) 210-9036 to book your appointment.
Address :
2303 Ygnacio Valley Rd,
Walnut Creek, CA 94598.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Walnut Creek
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
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 Oakley, 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 Oakley, 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 Oakley, 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 Oakley, 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 Oakley, 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 Oakley, 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 Oakley, 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 1 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Oakley, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County - Food Pantry
St. Vincent de Paul partners with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano to provide one-time emergency food to individuals and families in need Monday through Friday. We provide emergency food to about 2,800 individuals 800 households per year. People in need of emergency food can come to our Pittsburg Family Resource Center for one-time assistance on weekdays at the following times ONLY: Monday 9am-4pm – CLOSED 12:30pm-1:30pm; Tuesday 9am-4pm– CLOSED 12:30pm-1:30pm; Wednesday 9am-12:30pm; Thursday 9am-4pm– CLOSED 12:30pm-1:30pm; Friday 9am-4pm– CLOSED 12:30pm-1:30pm; Saturday and Sunday 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 (925) 439-5060 to book your appointment.
Address :
2210 Gladstone Dr,
Pittsburg, CA 94565.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Pittsburg
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Oakley, 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 10 Food Pantry locations in Oakley, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Novato Human Needs Center
Novato Human Needs Center provides shelter, clothing, food or employment to the poor, the hungry, homeless and the hopeless.
Food Pantry Program provides food for Low-income Novato residents who need food every Tuesday afternoon. Food typically includes fresh produce, dairy, canned and dried foods.
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 (415) 897-4147 to book your appointment.
Address :
1907 Novato Blvd,
Novato, CA 94947.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM EST
- Tues: 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM EST
- Wed: 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM EST
- Thurs: 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM EST
- Fri: 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Marin
- San Francisco
- San Mateo
Covia
Episcopal Senior Communities currently sponsors Senior Produce Markets that sell fresh fruits and vegetables at cost to approximately 1,000 seniors each week, most of whom are on fixed incomes. In churches, senior centers, and affordable housing sites throughout Northern California, volunteers and elders gather to buy fresh and healthy produce as well as share conversation, meals, and celebrations. Venues provide a resource center for information and referral, education, and networking.
Many of our markets have a mission within a mission: perishable leftover produce from each market is donated to another non-profit organization that serves seniors and others in need.
For more information about our award-winning Senior Produce Markets, or if you wish to sponsor a market, please contact Sheila Womack ator
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 (925) 956-7400 to book your appointment.
Address :
2185 N California Blvd,
Walnut Creek, CA 94596.
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:
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Marin
- Monterey
- San Francisco
- Santa Clara
- Sonoma
HIV Education And Prevention Project Of Alameda County (HEPPAC)
Casa Segura is a safe space where our community of active users can access basic needs services without a lengthy intake process.
Casa Segura Drop-in Center program provides services such as shower, laundry, clothing, food pantry, minor crisis intervention counseling and referrals.
HIV/HCV Counseling, Testing, Referrals and Linkage services are available by appointment only Tuesdays – Fridays.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
- disease screening
- personal hygiene
- counseling
- 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 (510) 434-0307 to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Oakland, CA 94601.
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:
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
Antioch LFCC Dining Room
The mission of Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa is to provide community based food programs and partner services that focus on basic needs. We nourish lives! Since 1983, we have served over 4.0 million meals to many thousands of hungry people throughout Contra Costa County. We have recruited thousands of volunteers and built an organization that has grown to serving over 170,000 meals and distributes over 60 tons of groceries each year. All LFCC Operated Dining Rooms are open to the public from 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
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 (925) 687-6760 to book your appointment.
Address :
403 W Sixth St,
Antioch, CA 94509.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Antioch
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
Family Life Center - Daily Bread Food Pantry
At this time, we have the Daily Bread Food Pantry on Thursdays from 7:00pm-8:00pm. We will be happy to help you with one time emergency food supplies. We are available throughout the week, but please call in advance for an appointment.
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 (925) 634-2016 to book your appointment.
Address :
605 Harvest Park Dr,
Brentwood, CA 94513.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Brentwood
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
Martinez LFCC Dining Room
The mission of Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa is to provide community based food programs and partner services that focus on basic needs. We nourish lives! Since 1983, we have served over 4.0 million meals to many thousands of hungry people throughout Contra Costa County. We have recruited thousands of volunteers and built an organization that has grown to serving over 170,000 meals and distributes over 60 tons of groceries each year. All LFCC Operated Dining Rooms are open to the public from 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
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 (925) 687-6760 to book your appointment.
Address :
1802 Alhambra Ave,
Martinez, CA 94553.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Martinez
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
Oakley LFCC Dining Room
The mission of Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa is to provide community based food programs and partner services that focus on basic needs. We nourish lives! Since 1983, we have served over 4.0 million meals to many thousands of hungry people throughout Contra Costa County. We have recruited thousands of volunteers and built an organization that has grown to serving over 170,000 meals and distributes over 60 tons of groceries each year. All LFCC Operated Dining Rooms are open to the public from 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
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 (925) 687-6760 to book your appointment.
Address :
1403 Main St,
Oakley, CA 94561.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Oakley
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
Pittsburg LFCC Dining Room
The mission of Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa is to provide community based food programs and partner services that focus on basic needs. We nourish lives! Since 1983, we have served over 4.0 million meals to many thousands of hungry people throughout Contra Costa County. We have recruited thousands of volunteers and built an organization that has grown to serving over 170,000 meals and distributes over 60 tons of groceries each year. All LFCC Operated Dining Rooms are open to the public from 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
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 (925) 687-6760 to book your appointment.
Address :
1415 Simpson Ct,
Pittsburg, CA 94565.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Pittsburg
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
Bay Area Rescue Mission - Food Pantry & Distribution Center
The goal of the Rescue Mission’s Food Pantry & Distribution Center is to keep people from becoming homeless by distributing food, clothing, furniture and other household items. Pick-ups are made 7 days a week for donations at over 10 local chain stores and food distribution locations. Approximately 60% of these donated items are used at the Rescue Mission to prepare more than 1,500,000 meals annually for the homeless and our shelter guests and provide for their personal needs. The remaining items are distributed to more than 60 agencies in Richmond and the Greater Bay Area.
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 (510) 215-4887 to book your appointment.
Address :
123 Macdonald Ave,
Richmond, CA 94801.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Richmond
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
Richmond Emergency Food Pantry
RICHMOND EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Volunteers donate more than 400 hours each month. The Pantry provides food to more than 42,000 individuals annually.
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 (510) 235-9732 to book your appointment.
Address :
2369 Barrett Ave,
Richmond, CA 94804.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Richmond
Help Residents of Counties:
- Contra Costa
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 Oakley, 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.