A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, 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 2 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in San Bernardino, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - SAN BERNARDINO, CA: Adult Rehabilitation Center
Services provided :
- Adult Rehabilitation Center
- Rehabilitation
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (909) 889-9605 to book your appointment.
Address :
363 Doolittle Rd,
San Bernardino, CA 92408.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
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- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Bernardino
Salvation Army Family Store
Services provided :
- 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 (909) 864-8847 to book your appointment.
Address :
2084 E Highland Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92404.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Bernardino
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Rock Church & World Outreach Center
Food Distribution program's mission is to love people to life and help reduce hunger by supplementing the diets of those who are in need. There is no cost for this outreach.
Documents required to receive food include a photo ID. You will need to bring a box/bag for food, and individuals/families can come once a week up to 4 times a 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 (909) 825-8887 to book your appointment.
Address :
2345 S Waterman Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92408.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM EST
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM EST
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino
Our food pantry serves everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry.
Services provided to our community include:
- Food to meet basic nutritional needs
In addition to our monthly distributions, we also distribute emergency bags of food to people who come by the church office during the week – limit one bag per household per month.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- 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 (909) 882-3308 to book your appointment.
Address :
1900 N D St,
San Bernardino, CA 92405.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM EST
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
St. John's Episcopal Church
Vicar's 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.
The food pantry is available on Wednesday mornings excluding the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
Documents Required:
- Photo ID
- Piece of Mail (with your name on it)
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 (909) 889-1195 to book your appointment.
Address :
1407 N Arrowhead Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92405.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM EST
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
San Bernardino Community Church
Every third Saturday of the month SBCC gives away grocery bags of food for those in the community who need assistance.
This program provides:
- Grocery bags of food
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 (909) 864-9221 to book your appointment.
Address :
2372 E Lynwood Dr,
San Bernardino, CA 92404.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 11:30 AM - 01:30 PM EST
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
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 San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, 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 2 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in San Bernardino, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Helping Hands Pantry
The College Student Food Assistance Program is for college and university students (undergrad or graduate) who do not have enough food.
Services provided to students:
- A weekly delivered bag of food
- When available, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, infant products and pet food if needed
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 to book your appointment.
Address :
[1169 - 1199] E 3rd St,
San Bernardino, CA 92410.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Bernardino
Helping Hands Pantry
Our Pantry is open to all who are in need. Once a week individuals can pick up a couple bags of groceries for as long as they need the assistance.
What we provide:
- Groceries for you and your family
On the first visit you will need to fill out a questionnaire and sign a release. There will be a visit to your home sometime after that, but you will be able to receive food that day.
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 (909) 796-4222 to book your appointment.
Address :
[2001 - 2227] E 3rd St,
San Bernardino, CA 92408.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM T:
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Bernardino
Mobile Food Pantry
The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, 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 12 Food Pantry locations in San Bernardino, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services
The facility includes a multi-purpose room with areas specifically designed for senior citizens and recreation activities.
Programs Offered:
Computer Lab
Adaptive Recreation
Arts & Crafts
Homework Help
Nutrition Education
Youth Empowerment
Youth Sports
Martial Arts
Basketball - Adult
Westside Steppers
Programs subject to change without notification. Please contact center for additional registration information.
Food Distribution:
Food Distribution is for residents living in the zip code areas of 92401, 92408, 92409 and 92410 East of Sierra Way. Proof of residency and income required. Distribution is the 3rd Tuesday of every month, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- exercise & fitness
- recreation
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (909) 384-5420 to book your appointment.
Address :
222 N Lugo Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92408.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Tues: 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Wed: 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Thurs: 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Fri: 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM
- Sat: 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Bernardino
Cathedral Of Praise Ministries
Helping hands program provides clothing and consumables to those experiencing temporary hardships at 8:00 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.
You can reach us via email or by calling 909-474-1005.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
- home goods
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (909) 474-1005 to book your appointment.
Address :
3030 Del Rosa Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92404.
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:
- San Bernardino
Sahaba Initiative
Our food pantry is committed to assisting families and individuals who are suffering from hunger. Our goal is to provide basic foods for those that are in need and complementary nutritional mentoring and programming which will empower an individual.
Empowering includes learning how to grow your own garden. It also consists of understanding basic life skills such as cooking. We also provide application assistance for CalFresh formerly known as EBT.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- understand government programs
- help fill out forms
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (909) 381-3002 to book your appointment.
Address :
1887 S Business Center Dr,
San Bernardino, CA 92408.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
Mgj Outreach
Mgj Outreach provides food, clothes, tutoring for the youth, jobs and transitional housing for the homeless. M G & J Outreach has assisted in Food Distributions, Clothing Distributions and School Supply Distributions. Visit our website for more information.
For more information about this program please call at (909) 205-0553.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food delivery
- food pantry
- safe housing
- short-term housing
- clothing
- tutoring
- help find work
- job placement
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (909) 205-0553 to book your appointment.
Address :
985 Kendall Dr, STE A-287,
San Bernardino, CA 92407.
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:
- San Bernardino
Samaritan Social Services Incorporation
Samaritan Social Services is here to feed the spirit of the hungry and shelter the souls of the misunderstood by providing food and educational programs to individuals that need to restore their hope, respect, and belief in themselves and humanity.
Every Thursday from 3-5pm the food ministry is open.
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 to book your appointment.
Address :
2219 W 3rd Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92407.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Bernardino
Benjamin Jones Community Resource Center
Benjamin Jones Community Resource Center Bag of Hope food pantry services families and individuals in need.
Bag of Hope provides:
-Non-perishable goods weekly
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 (909) 289-1227 to book your appointment.
Address :
2972 N California St,
San Bernardino, CA 92407.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM EST
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
Spirit of Hope
Our goal as a Spirt of Hope outreach program is to help families get through the last week of the month until their next checks come in. We not only provide food staples, but also clothes as well. No documents are required. Center will ask you to fill out a short questionnaire.
Food Pantry distribution is the last Tuesday of every month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (909) 882-2961 to book your appointment.
Address :
1820 E Highland Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92404.
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 Cities:
- San Bernardino
The Way World Outreach - Downtown Campus
Our food Giveaway addresses the needs of low-income individuals and households that lack a reliable access to affordable, nutritious food and may experience hunger on a regular basis.
We support residents by providing:
- Nutritious 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 (909) 884-1385 to book your appointment.
Address :
1001 N Arrowhead Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92410.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM EST
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
Central City Lutheran Mission (CCLM)
The Central City Lutheran Mission (CCLM) offers free bags of groceries to people in need. Working families, single moms, singles, unemployed, people stretching their limited earnings or benefit dollars come to get canned goods, bread and whatever variety of produce is available.
Groceries are distributed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every 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 (909) 381-6921 to book your appointment.
Address :
1354 N G St,
San Bernardino, CA 92405.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Bernardino
Set Free Christian Fellowship
The Set Free Christian Fellowship 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 that comes to us, regardless of their race, color, or religion. The amount of food given depends on household size. We give away food bags three times a week and commodities once a month.
This program provides:
- Food
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 (909) 383-2323 to book your appointment.
Address :
473 W Base Line St,
San Bernardino, CA 92410.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 09:30 PM - 10:30 PM EST
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
CAPSBC Food Bank
The Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) operates the San Bernardino County Food Bank; The CAPSBC Food Bank has been feeding needy people throughout San Bernardino County since 1984. The CAPSBC Food Bank acts as a clearinghouse for food; where we receive millions of pounds of food each year from the United States Department of Agriculture commodity food program, and from corporate donors, schools, groups, clubs, and compassionate individuals With the aid of approximately 147 local charitable non-profit organizations, and a small army of some 1569 loyal volunteers, our food is able to reach millions of needy persons throughout San Bernardino County, even into the furthest corners of our vast region.
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 (909) 723-1580 to book your appointment.
Address :
678 S Tippecanoe Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92415.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Bernardino
Mary's Mercy Center, Inc.
Mary's Mercy Center is a Gospel response to the less fortunate. It is a place where they find compassion and acceptance, regardless of their condition of life, and find services that meet their basic needs. Mary's Mercy Center attempts through its programs to build up and affirm the personal dignity and worth of each person that has been taken from him/her by poverty and the social ills of our times. Mary's Table provides a hot nutritious meal six days a week, including all holidays except Christmas Day. Meals are served to all who come regardless of their situation and no identification is required. After our guests are seated, volunteers serve them their coffee, ice tea, and/or milk. There are no limits on how many servings or how often they wish or need to eat. Over 8,000 meals are served each month. Our food comes from many different sources: almost all of our meat is donated; some food and all staples are purchased from food banks, stores and large corporations. We share food among our fellow non-profits when there is an over abundance. St. Martin de Porres Emergency Food Bag Program distributes food bags every Wednesday, except the first Wednesday of the Month. Approximately 1,200 families are helped each month. For those with a facility to cook the bags contain beans, rice, tomato sauce, bread, cereal, fruit, etc. For the homeless and unable to cook the bags contain canned foods, cups of soup, energy bars, peanut butter and jelly, fruit, bread and bottled water. No identification is required to receive assistance.
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 (909) 889-2558 to book your appointment.
Address :
641 N Roberds Ave,
San Bernardino, CA 92411.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Bernardino
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Bernardino
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 San Bernardino, 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.