Food Pantry in San Joaquin, California

A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in San Joaquin, 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 Joaquin, 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 5 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in San Joaquin, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

The Salvation Army - LODI, CA: Hope Harbor Family Service Center

Services provided :

  • Camping Activities
  • Casework Services
  • Character Building Programs
  • Christian Education
  • Community Recreation & Education Programs
  • Day Camp Activities
  • Disaster Services
  • Domestic Violence Services
  • Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Emergency Shelter
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Food & Nutrition Programs
  • Group Work Services
  • Men's Ministries
  • Military Personnel Assistance
  • Music & Arts Programs
  • Residential Camping Activities
  • Seasonal Services
  • 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 (209) 367-9560 to book your appointment.

Address :

622 N Sacramento St,
Lodi, CA 95240.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Dropbox

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 (209) 466-3871 to book your appointment.

Address :

1247 S Wilson Way,
Stockton, CA 95205.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

The Salvation Army - Silvercrest Residences: Stockton 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 (209) 463-4960 to book your appointment.

Address :

123 N Stanislaus St,
Stockton, CA 95202.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

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

The Salvation Army Del Oro Division - Stockton

From sit-down meals that provide nutritious food and valuable human interaction, to mobile meals that deliver much-needed sustenance to those who cannot reach a food distribution center, we ensure that the most vulnerable members of society do not go hungry. These meals are served to anyone in need - this includes homeless people of all ages, as well as individuals and families who may be down on their luck and in need of a helping hand.

By offering access to free, fresh produce and canned goods, we provide valuable meal supplementation while helping those in need maintain their independence and dignity.

Emergency Food Assistance is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9AM to 3:30PM.

For more information call 209-948-8959 .

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • 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) 525-8954 to book your appointment.

Address :

1305 E Weber Ave,
Stockton, CA 95205.
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 Joaquin

Church Food Pantry

A number of churches around San Joaquin, 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 Joaquin, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Cornerstone Community Church

Helping Hands Food Ministry program offers food to the families who are in need throughout the community.

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 (209) 825-1220 to book your appointment.

Address :

,
Los Angeles, CA 90291.
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 Joaquin

Radiant Life Church

Radiant Life Church operates a food pantry every Wednesday morning for neighbors in need.

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 :

75 N Crescent Ave,
Lodi, CA 95240.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Tues: 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Wed: 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Thurs: 08:30 AM - 11:30 PM
  • Fri: 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

Church of the Presentation

The Presentation Food Pantry supports needy families in the community on the First and Third Saturdays of every month from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. in St. Anne's conference room. There are only two exceptions to these dates and times which are Holy Saturday and the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving.

The Food Pantry distributes canned and boxed goods, rice, beans, eggs, meat, bread and fresh fruit and produce. During 2016 Presentation Food Pantry assisted an average of 60 families and 218 individuals each Saturday.

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 :

6715 Leesburg Pl,
Stockton, CA 95207.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM
  • Tues: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM
  • Wed: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM
  • Thurs: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM
  • Fri: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

Valley Community Baptist Church Food Pantry

The Food Pantry opened on May 16, 2013 and is open to the public from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Last names beginning with letters A through L may come the first and third Thursday, last names beginning with M through Z may come the second and fourth Thursday of the month. When you visit our food pantry, please bring with you a photo ID, proof of residency and proof of income (W-2, pay stub, award letter of SDI, unemployment, or other income). Our Mission: To fight hunger by providing meals on a regular basis to those in need. Our Vision: Through a community food pantry, we will offer those in need additional opportunities to obtain meal, either by coming to the food pantry at times when other food pantries are closed, or by a team of volunteers that will go into the community to deliver meals.

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 (209) 836-9227 to book your appointment.

Address :

903 S Corral Hollow Rd,
Tracy, CA 95376.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Tracy

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

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 Joaquin, 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 2 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in San Joaquin, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

St Anthonys of Padua Catholic Church

St. Vincent de Paul is a group of dedicated volunteers who serve men, women and children who are currently without the means to attain adequate food or clothing. Parish and community donations fund the food pantry and clothes closet. The members staff the drop-in center on weekday afternoons from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • clothing
  • 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) 823-7197 to book your appointment.

Address :

505 E North St,
Manteca, CA 95336.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 08:30 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton

Food Program provides a temporary solution to hunger and food insecurity to Stockton residents. With the bounty of food available in the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley, we believe that no one should go hungry.

-Food sign-ups are Tuesday at 1:00pm and Thursdays at 9:00am on a 'first come, first served' basis. Individuals are provided with a ticket and return later in the day to collect the food. Clients will be registering and picking up their food on the same day.
-Clients will be able to register once per month but now have the option of what day of the week they would like to come.
-Participants can sign up for themselves and their family-only. A family is everyone living at the same address in a house or apartment.
-Identification is required for each person living in the home. Identification may include a California Driver’s License, California ID, Medi-Cal Card, Social Security Card, School ID, Matricula, or other offical document.
-Once each year, participants are asked to provide proof of income and complete and sign a registration form.

For more information please call 209-444-5944.

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 (209) 444-5900 to book your appointment.

Address :

1106 N El Dorado St,
Stockton, CA 95202.
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 Joaquin

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around San Joaquin, 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 San Joaquin, 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 San Joaquin, 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 Joaquin, 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 Joaquin, 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 Joaquin, 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 Joaquin, 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 6 Food Pantry locations in San Joaquin, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Bread Of Life

Bread Of Life provides supplemental groceries to people in need.Bread of Life partners with other community-based organizations to bring the food to one central location in each city and distributes the food on the third Saturday of each month to thousands of needy families.

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 :

3034 Michigan Ave,
Stockton, CA 95204.
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 Cities:

  • Stockton
  • Lodi
  • Manteca
  • Tracy

San Joaquin County Human Services Agency Department of Aging

The Brown Bag Program is designed to deliver bags of nutritious supplemental groceries to low-income senior citizens aged 60 and over. Distribution sites include city and community centers, churches, senior living facilities, and senior centers.

Call the Brown Bag Program site closes to you for more information on receiving services.

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 (209) 486-3978 to book your appointment.

Address :

533 S Los Angeles Ave,
Stockton, CA 95203.
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 Joaquin

The Bridge At Stockton

Commodity Food Distribution Program every 3rd Thursday of each month to those in need. Current ID with address are required.

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 (209) 477-4441 to book your appointment.

Address :

703 E Swain Rd,
Stockton, CA 95207.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Tues: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Wed: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Thurs: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Fri: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

Alpha Omega Ministries - Jireh "Pantry Ministry"

Our Jireh Ministry receives food donations from "Second Harvest" and you. Food is donated to needy families every Sunday by appointment only.

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 (209) 547-9000 to book your appointment.

Address :

116 W Willow St,
Stockton, CA 95202.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Stockton

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

Good Samaritan Training Center - Food Center

The Good Samaritan Training Center realizes that you can’t share the love of God with someone who is hungry or inadequately clothed. So the first service that was offered was food and clothing for the needy. Many local organizations have joined with us to provide a nutritionally balanced box of food that includes frozen meats, cereal, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, and dried, packaged and canned foods, Our food boxes average 35 pounds per household which means we distribute 4,000 – 8,000 lbs. of food each week. The Center has fed over 4 million meals to the poor and needy in our community since opening in 1992. The local organizations that have partnered with us include the United Way of San Joaquin County, KYCC radio (90.1 FM – Your Christian Companion), and the Emergency Food Bank. We also receive assistance from canned food drives from schools, businesses and organizations and cash donations allow us to purchase food from the Second Harvest Food Bank in Manteca for pennies on the dollar. In addition, we now offer nutrition information brochures to each food box recipient to provide guidance for special health needs such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. This information helps our clients to educate themselves on how to control their health issues. Topics include information about eating from healthy food groups; reading and understanding food labels; and different forms of exercise. Our Food Center is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon

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 (209) 469-7098 to book your appointment.

Address :

1331 E Fremont St,
Stockton, CA 95205.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Stockton

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

Pacific Food Pantry

The Pacific Food Pantry is an on-campus resource for students, staff and faculty who are facing a food scarcity situation. The pantry is open 8am-6pm Monday through Friday in the Cowell Wellness Center. A Paciifc ID must be shown to access the pantry, but the service is completely confidential. Two bags of groceries and supplies may be taken per week. To make donations please contact Pacific Health Services at 209.946.2315 and speak with either Alexandra Caspero or Ranai Koch to arrange for pick-up or bring donations to the Cowell Wellness Center during the hours the pantry is open. If you work on campus, simply leave a bag or box labeled "Food Pantry" and the mailroom will deliver it for you!

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 (209) 946-2315 to book your appointment.

Address :

1041 Brookside Rd,
Stockton, CA 95211.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Stockton

Help Residents of Counties:

  • San Joaquin

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 Joaquin, 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.