A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in San Mateo, 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 Mateo, 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 4 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in San Mateo, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
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 (650) 583-3589 to book your appointment.
Address :
300 El Camino Real,
San Bruno, CA 94066.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
The Salvation Army - SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (Citadel), CA: Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- 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 (650) 266-4591 to book your appointment.
Address :
409 S Spruce Ave,
South San Francisco, CA 94080.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Trailer
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 (650) 873-3006 to book your appointment.
Address :
1170 Mission Rd,
South San Francisco, CA 94080.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
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 San Mateo, 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 6 Church Food Pantry locations in San Mateo, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Hillside Church of God
Food Pantry provides groceries to the residents of South San Francisco, San Bruno and Brisbane every second Saturday of the 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 (650) 588-6860ext2 to book your appointment.
Address :
1415 Hillside Blvd,
South San Francisco, CA 94080.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Francisco
- San Bruno
- Brisbane
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
Grace Covenant Church of South San Francisco - Abundant Harvest Food Pantry
Grace Covenant is a partner agency with Second Harvest serving food to the low-income of our community. As a Partners, we help serve the culturally-diverse population of SSF, San Bruno and Brisbane through our "Abundant Harvest Food Pantry" ministry every 1st Saturday of the month from 8:00-9:30am.
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 (650) 589-6797 to book your appointment.
Address :
740 Del Monte Ave S,
San Francisco, CA 94080.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- San Francisco
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
InnVision Shelter Network - Breaking Bread Hot Meal Program at Covenant Presbyterian Church
Hot meals: Saturday 11:30am-12:30pm
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 (650) 853-8672 to book your appointment.
Address :
670 E Mdw,
Drive Palo Alto, CA 94303.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Drive Palo Alto
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
Hillside Church of God - South San Francisco Food Pantry
Every second Saturday of the month, our church is transformed from it’s usual house of worship to a vital food pantry that serves the residents of South San Francisco, San Bruno and Brisbane. We are supported by Second Harvest Food Bank, local business and generous individuals. We do require proof of residency, however, we do not base eligibility on household income.
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 (650) 588-6860 to book your appointment.
Address :
1415 Hillside Blvd S,
San Francisco, CA 94080.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- San Francisco
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
InnVision Shelter Network - Breaking Bread Hot Meal Program at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Hot meals: Sunday 2:30-3:30pm
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 (650) 853-8672 to book your appointment.
Address :
330 Ravenswood Ave,
Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Menlo Park
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
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 Mateo, 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 1 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in San Mateo, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Saint Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church
St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church is served primarily by brothers, priests and sisters of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
St. Ignatius Martyr food pantry program provides food, washing soap, baby diapers, some baby formula, feminine hygiene products, adult diapers and small hygiene packs. We give out food every six weeks for residents and every 2 weeks for the needy and the homeless. Families or residents can get one prescription voucher every six (6) months; homeless individuals receive prescription vouchers on a case-by-case bases.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- baby supplies
- diapers & formula
- personal care items
- prescription 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 (512) 442-0226 to book your appointment.
Address :
2303 Euclid Ave, FR JOE,
Redwood City, CA 94061.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Travis
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around San Mateo, 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 Mateo, 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 Mateo, 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 Mateo, 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 Mateo, 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 Mateo, 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 Mateo, 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 San Mateo, 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
Jewish Family & Childrens Services
Jewish Family & Childrens Services serves people of all faiths and backgrounds with our comprehensive system of care. Our professional teams bring years of experience to every client who walks through the door. As a national leader in developing innovative human services, JFCS incorporates the latest research and best practices to ensure everyone get the highest quality services and care.
JFCS Food Pantry offer nutritious, high-protein food to seniors on fixed incomes, adults with disabilities, young families with low incomes and others individuals and families facing temporary crises.
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) 449-1200 to book your appointment.
Address :
2150 Post St,
San Francisco, CA 94115.
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:
- Marin
- San Francisco
- Santa Clara
- Sonoma
- San Mateo
Peninsula Family Service
Fair Oaks Community Center provides services to meet the ongoing and emerging needs of older adults looking to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life. We offer nutritious meals, fitness classes, health screenings, and social activities for free or reduced costs.
-Fitness classes-Yoga, Sit & Be Fit, Zumba, Tai Chi, Soul Line Dancing, Samba, Chair Volleyball
-Social activities-Garden Club, Bingo, Watercolor Club, Spanish Club, Cornhole, Singing Club, Billiards Club
-Health and Wellness-Platica, Mind and Health Coaching Group, Blood Pressure Screenings, Strong for Life
-Education-ESL class, Computer Club
-Information and Assistance Program-Those who live between Belmont and East Palo Alto can contact a Case Manager and Information and Assistance Specialist to find resources regarding transportation, food, emergency shelter, caregiver support, health and wellness, recreation, housing, and healthy insurance.
-Meals-Healthy Breakfast and Lunch, Brown Bags
The Fair Oaks Nutrition Program is partially subsidized by Older American Act funds. The suggested donation for our meals is $2.50 for adults age 60 and older. The cost of meals for those under age 60 is $6.55. All older adults are welcome regardless of ability to contribute.
If you are interested in visiting Fair Oaks, potential participants and their families are welcome to stop by the center. For more information, call the center at 650.780.7525.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- health education
- disease screening
- exercise & fitness
- recreation
- navigating the system
- english as a second language (esl)
- 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 (650) 780-7525 to book your appointment.
Address :
2600 Middlefield Rd,
Redwood City, CA 94063.
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 Mateo
- Santa Clara
Korean American Community Services of Silicon Valley
Through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, KACS brown bag program distributes a bag of nutritious groceries, such as rice, canned food, cereal, fruits, and vegetables, to low-income seniors over 60 and disabled individuals over 55 living in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
Our volunteers distribute the food every Thursday.
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 (408) 920-9743 to book your appointment.
Address :
1099 N 4th St,
San Jose, CA 95112.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room
St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room is the largest “soup-kitchen†between San Francisco and San Jose and the only organization that provides food daily throughout the year. The Dining Room’s provides warm, nutritious meals in a social and friendly atmosphere to alleviate hunger and malnutrition. We serve all without regard to age, sex, race, religious beliefs, national origin, or disabilities. We serve an average of 500 meals a day. Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas are the busiest days of the year for the Padua Dining Room when our patronage typically doubles. We serve approximately 1,000 meals on each holiday. Hot meals are served Mondays through Saturday between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. The Free Clothing Distribution Center is open to women and children on Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. It is open to men each Thursday from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. A Public Health Nurse is present in an office next to the dining hall one day per week between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (650) 365-9664 to book your appointment.
Address :
3500 Middlefield Rd,
Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Menlo Park
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
Samaritan House Food Pantry
Samaritan House’s Pantry supplies food boxes full of groceries for low-income families who struggle to buy groceries. Clients receive vouchers from a Case Worker at our Client Services Center and redeem the voucher at our Pantry. This option allows families to prepare fresh meals together at home.
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 (650) 703-3398 to book your appointment.
Address :
4031 Pacific Blvd,
San Mateo, CA 94403.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- San Mateo
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
CALL Primrose Center
The CALL Primrose Center is a joint venture of the First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame and the United Methodist Church of Burlingame. Started in 1983 as a telephone information and referral service, CALL became a drop-in location by 1984. Since then, thousands of people in need have come to our house for assistance. All requests are screened to determine the legitimacy of the need. Funds are received from private foundations, businesses and service organizations, plus various city grants, etc. Additional support comes from individuals and faith-based congregations in our community. In addition to our paid staff, we have many wonderful volunteers to help us assist others at the Center. Our Purpose: To provide a mid-Peninsula telephone and walk-in site for people in need of: Emergency direct aid with food from the Center’s in-house food pantry; Information and referral.
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 (650) 342-2255 to book your appointment.
Address :
139 Primrose Rd,
Burlingame, CA 94010.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Burlingame
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
St. Francis Center of Redwood City
St. Francis Center is a nonprofit organization whose focus is on helping families in need in the Redwood City area and attempts to assist such families in whatever ways will allow them to live in dignity and become self-supporting members of the community. Early each workday morning, rain or shine, women from throughout the Redwood City and Menlo Park areas gather at the St. Francis Center. They come for food, clothing and friendship. Dozens of dedicated volunteers make the St. Francis Center a place of welcome by packing grocery bags with care. Two bags of take-home food for each client family contain all of the basic food groups. Monitored by an automated photo ID check-in system, the St. Francis Center provides groceries for an average of 2,600 people each 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 (650) 365-7829 to book your appointment.
Address :
151 Buckingham Ave,
Redwood City, CA 94063.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Redwood City
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
North Peninsula Food Pantry & Dining Center
North Peninsula Food Pantry & Dining Center of Daly City began operation in northern San Mateo County in 1989 providing nutrition and sustenance to those in need within our community. Our food pantry program serves an average of 100 families each month with a three-day supply of shelf stable food. Our hot meal program, North Peninsula Dining Center, provides a hot meal to over 60 men, women, and children each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. North Peninsula Dining Center is the only program of this kind in our community. The number of clients served continues to increase with new clients added daily. Continued community support for these programs is vital to our ongoing success in providing assistance to those 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 (650) 994-5150 to book your appointment.
Address :
31 Bepler St,
Daly City, CA 94014.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Daly City
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
Samaritan House Dining Room
Samaritan House’s Dining Room is open for dinner Monday through Friday every week and is open to individuals and families in 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 (650) 347-3648 to book your appointment.
Address :
725 Monte Diablo Ave,
San Mateo, CA 94401.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
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- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- San Mateo
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Mateo
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 Mateo, 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.