A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - SANTA BARBARA, CA: Hospitality House/Social Services
Services provided :
- Aid to Families
- Casework Services
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Day Care
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Latchkey Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Missing Persons
- 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
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (805) 962-6281 to book your appointment.
Address :
423 Chapala St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
The Salvation Army - SANTA BARBARA, CA: Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Aid to Families
- Alcohol and Drug Treatment
- Casework Services
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Day Care
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Latchkey Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Missing Persons
- 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
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (805) 964-8738 to book your appointment.
Address :
4849 Hollister Ave,
Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
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- Santa Barbara
The Salvation Army - SANTA MARIA, CA: Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Christian Education
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (805) 349-2421 to book your appointment.
Address :
200 W Cook St,
Santa Maria, CA 93458.
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- Santa Barbara
The Salvation Army - Arroyo Grande, CA: Arroyo Grande Service Unit
Services provided :
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Seasonal 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 (805) 481-0278 to book your appointment.
Address :
1550 W Branch St,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420.
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Help Residents of Counties:
- San Luis Obispo
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Santa Maria, 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 3 Church Food Pantry locations in Santa Maria, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Grace Lutheran Church Food Distribution Project
This is a combined effort of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Grace Lutheran Church, and generous individuals; 9-10 a.m. on the first two Saturdays of 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 (805) 687-2628 to book your appointment.
Address :
3869 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Santa Barbara
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
Lompoc Foursquare Church - Community Feeding
We serve our community by serving a hot meal to the under-resourced every Monday night from 4-6pm.
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 (805) 736-2772 to book your appointment.
Address :
125 N C St,
Lompoc, CA 93436.
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- Lompoc
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
Five Cities Vineyard Church Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is available to anyone in temporary need for groceries, we also appreciate any donations to help stock our food pantry. We are also here to pray with you and for you. OPEN: Fridays 1 to 3pm
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 (805) 474-9984 to book your appointment.
Address :
330 Stanton St,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420.
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Arroyo Grande
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Luis Obispo
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 Santa Maria, 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 4 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Santa Maria, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc.
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc. is committed to manifesting Christ’s spirit by collaborating with diverse communities, providing services to the poor and vulnerable, promoting human dignity and advocating for social justice.
Moorpark Pantry Plus provides a safety net of services to our residents in need for the benefit of the community at large. We engage, educate, and empower the community to be part of our ongoing efforts. We provide leadership and information to promote community action and private efforts aimed at developing effective solutions for all.
Moorpark Pantry Plus provides services in the following areas:
• Supplemental food and clothing
• Eviction prevention
• Utility assistance
• Holiday Programs (Thanksgiving Baskets, Christmas Festival, Easer Baskets and Mother’s Day Event)
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
• Information and Referrals
Please bring the following documents with you when receiving services:
• Photo ID
• Proof of income
• Most recent utility bill
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
- help pay for housing
- help pay for utilities
- tax preparation
- navigating the system
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (805) 529-0720 to book your appointment.
Address :
612 Spring Rd, SUITE 101,
Moorpark, CA 93021.
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Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
- Ventura
Catholic Charities - Santa Maria Community Services
The programs of Catholic Charities focus on empowerment and seek to enact long-term, positive change in individuals, families and communities. As a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, the agency is built on the principles of dignity and inclusion, providing services irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender or religious belief. Programs address human suffering and larger social issues, such as poverty, hunger and nutrition, homelessness, immigration, health care, mental health and illiteracy.
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 (805) 922-2059 to book your appointment.
Address :
607 W Main St,
Santa Maria, CA 93454.
Get Directions
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- Santa Maria
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
Catholic Charities - Carpinteria Community Services
The programs of Catholic Charities focus on empowerment and seek to enact long-term, positive change in individuals, families and communities. As a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, the agency is built on the principles of dignity and inclusion, providing services irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender or religious belief. Programs address human suffering and larger social issues, such as poverty, hunger and nutrition, homelessness, immigration, health care, mental health and illiteracy.
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 (805) 684-8621 to book your appointment.
Address :
941 Walnut St,
Carpinteria, CA 93013.
Get Directions
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- Carpinteria
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
Catholic Charities - Santa Barbara Community Services
The programs of Catholic Charities focus on empowerment and seek to enact long-term, positive change in individuals, families and communities. As a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, the agency is built on the principles of dignity and inclusion, providing services irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender or religious belief. Programs address human suffering and larger social issues, such as poverty, hunger and nutrition, homelessness, immigration, health care, mental health and illiteracy.
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 (805) 965-7045 to book your appointment.
Address :
609 E Haley St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Santa Barbara
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, 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 4 Food Pantry locations in Santa Maria, California which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Casa Esperanza - Community Kitchen
You can help feed Santa Barbara's most needy. As we transition to a 24-hour sobriety based shelter program, Community Kitchen will continue to serve up to 300 meals each day. Feeding this many people every day is a challenge and we need your help.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (805) 884-8481 to book your appointment.
Address :
816 Cacique St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Santa Barbara
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
Lompoc Food Pantry and Community Services
The food panty provides individuals and families food daily in the friendly grocery style pantry. The selection is varied with a variety of canned, packaged foods and other items to include USDA Commodities, Bread and Produce to assisit in well balanced 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 (805) 736-6226 to book your appointment.
Address :
325 N 2nd St,
Lompoc, CA 93436.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Lompoc
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
Unity Shoppe - Free Food Store
We provide a Central Distribution Facility for the low-income. Family incomes supplemented until they become self-sufficient. $1-Million in food supplies serves 6,000 household visits. Food drives need to be done by individuals, churches, schools and groups to keep our shelves stocked year-round. Cash donations allow us to purchase more food supplies at wholesale prices so more clients can be helped.
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 (805) 965-4122 to book your appointment.
Address :
1219 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Santa Barbara
Help Residents of Counties:
- Santa Barbara
St. Patrick's Food Pantry
St. Patrick's Food Pantry is open from 4:00 - 5:00 in the afternoon on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The pantry provides food for those in need living in the Five Cities and Nipomo areas.
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 (805) 489-2680 to book your appointment.
Address :
501 Fair Oaks Ave,
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Arroyo Grande
Help Residents of Counties:
- San Luis Obispo
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 Santa Maria, 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.