A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Middlesex, Connecticut 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 Middlesex, Connecticut 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 1 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Middlesex, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Middletown Corps
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Latchkey Programs
- 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 (860) 347-7493 to book your appointment.
Address :
515 Main St,
Middletown, CT 06457.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Middlesex, Connecticut 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 0 Church Food Pantry locations in Middlesex, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
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 Middlesex, Connecticut 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 Middlesex, Connecticut 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 Middlesex, Connecticut 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 Middlesex, Connecticut 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 Middlesex, Connecticut 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 Middlesex, 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 Middlesex, Connecticut 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 2 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Middlesex, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent DePaul Middletown - Amazing Grace Food Pantry
Amazing Grace Food Pantry is a program of St. Vincent de Paul. Amazing Grace offers food free of charge. Amazing Grace is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Individuals and families are invited to shop once a month and receive approximately three days worth of groceries. Families choose the food items they would like that are available at the time. Family member size determines the quantity of food allotted at each visit. Approximately 950 households "shopped" in our Amazing Grace Food Pantry once a month last year. Approximately 399,840 food items were distributed through out the year or 33,320 food items per month. This translates to 260,860 meals for the year.
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 (860) 347-3222 to book your appointment.
Address :
16 Stack St,
Middletown, CT 06457.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Middletown
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
St. Vincent DePaul Middletown - Soup Kitchen
This program is directed by Lydia Brewster, Assistant Director of Community Services. Our kitchen is staffed by Chef/Meals Coordinator Jeremiah Ruffini and three part-time meals program assistants. Approximately 960 different people visit our Soup Kitchen annually. Last year, In 2013, our Soup Kitchen Meals Program served 83,153 meals during year. Our Soup Kitchen meals program operates 363 days a year and provides three meals every day. Breakfast: A Continental breakfast and coffee between 7:00 and 10:30 a.m.; Lunch: We serve a hot, nutritious meal between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Dinner: Sandwiches and snacks are available for pick up during lunch hours; Sunday Dinner: Between 5:00-6:00 p.m., a meal is provided by local faith communities
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 (860) 344-0097 to book your appointment.
Address :
617 Main St,
Middletown, CT 06457.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Middletown
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Middlesex, Connecticut 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 Middlesex, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Christina Home Care Food Pantry
Christina Home Care Food Pantry program provides free grocery to anyone in need, every Friday from 2PM to 5PM. No ID necessary.
Call 718-843-8449 or my cell: 917-592-8686 to get more information.
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 (718) 843-8449 to book your appointment.
Address :
12013 Liberty Ave,
South Richmond Hill, NY 11419.
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:
- Queens
- Bronx
- Dutchess
- Essex
- Kings
- Nassau
- New York
- Orange
- Putnam
- Richmond
- Rockland
- Suffolk
- Warren
- Westchester
- Fairfield
- Litchfield
- Middlesex
- New Haven
- Bergen
- Hunterdon
- Morris
- Passaic
- Somerset
- Union
- Warren
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries - Centerbrook Meal Site
Our meal sites are located in Centerbrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, and Old Lyme. Hot nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers and served family style. Those in need are welcome to attend all our meal sites. All who enter our doors will be welcomed and will be served to the best of our ability. All our meals and services are free of charge. Meal: Fridays Noon - 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 (860) 388-1988 to book your appointment.
Address :
109 Main St,
Centerbrook, CT 06409.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Centerbrook
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries - Chester Meal Site
Our meal sites are located in Centerbrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, and Old Lyme. Hot nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers and served family style. Those in need are welcome to attend all our meal sites. All who enter our doors will be welcomed and will be served to the best of our ability. All our meals and services are free of charge. Meal: Sundays 5:00 - 6:00 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 (860) 388-1988 to book your appointment.
Address :
29 W Main St,
Chester, CT 06412.
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- Chester
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Chester Food Pantry
Mon, Wed, Thurs: 9:00 a.m. – 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 (860) 526-0013 to book your appointment.
Address :
203 Middlesex Ave,
Chester, CT 06412.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Chester
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries - Clinton Meal Site
Our meal sites are located in Centerbrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, and Old Lyme. Hot nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers and served family style. Those in need are welcome to attend all our meal sites. All who enter our doors will be welcomed and will be served to the best of our ability. All our meals and services are free of charge. Meal: Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:00 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 (860) 388-1988 to book your appointment.
Address :
12 Commerce St,
Clinton, CT 06413.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Clinton
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries - Clinton Pantry
Our pantries located in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Old Lyme and East Lyme provide enough food for three meals for three days for those who attend, and those in their household. The food distributed includes both fresh meat, vegetables, fruit, and dairy and non- perishable canned and packaged food and heat-n-eat meals. Those in need are welcome to attend one distribution per week. Food Pantry: Wednesdays 5:45 - 7:45 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 (860) 388-1988 to book your appointment.
Address :
81 E Main St,
Clinton, CT 06413.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Clinton
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries - Deep River Meal Site
Our meal sites are located in Centerbrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, and Old Lyme. Hot nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers and served family style. Those in need are welcome to attend all our meal sites. All who enter our doors will be welcomed and will be served to the best of our ability. All our meals and services are free of charge. Meal: Thursdays 5:00 - 6:00 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 (860) 388-1988 to book your appointment.
Address :
1 Church St,
Deep River, CT 06417.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Deep River
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Harvest House
Harvest House is open to the public every Sunday from 5 to 6 pm at St. Stephen’s Church, 31 Main Street, East Haddam. Patrons are welcome to dine with us, or they may request meals to take away. In either case meals are served at no cost to patrons, no donations are accepted during service and no questions are asked. We understand how difficult it can be to ask relative strangers for assistance, and therefore wish to make it clear that patrons are always welcome to Harvest House regardless of circumstance. We endeavor at all times to welcome everyone with dignity and respect. For those wishing to pick up meals rather than dine in, you may simply walk in and make a request, or call ahead on any Sunday we are open, after 5 pm at: 860-873-9547. Our general practice is to prepare a complete meal, inclusive whenever possible of a major protein such as chicken, beef or pork, along with a suitable starch, vegetable, bread and salad. Dessert, coffee, tea and other beverages are always available. Alcohol is not served, and consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted in our facilities.
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 (860) 873-9547 to book your appointment.
Address :
31 Main St E,
Haddam, CT 06423.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Haddam
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries - Essex Meal Site
Our meal sites are located in Centerbrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, and Old Lyme. Hot nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers and served family style. Those in need are welcome to attend all our meal sites. All who enter our doors will be welcomed and will be served to the best of our ability. All our meals and services are free of charge. Meal: Mondays 5:30 - 6:30 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 (860) 388-1988 to book your appointment.
Address :
10 Prospect St,
Essex, CT 06426.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Essex
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries - Old Saybrook Pantry
Our pantries located in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Old Lyme and East Lyme provide enough food for three meals for three days for those who attend, and those in their household. The food distributed includes both fresh meat, vegetables, fruit, and dairy and non- perishable canned and packaged food and heat-n-eat meals. Those in need are welcome to attend one distribution per week. Food Pantry: Tuesdays 3:00 - 5:00 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 (860) 388-1988 to book your appointment.
Address :
366 Main St,
Old Saybrook, CT 06475.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Old Saybrook
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries - Westbrook Pantry
Our pantries located in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Old Lyme and East Lyme provide enough food for three meals for three days for those who attend, and those in their household. The food distributed includes both fresh meat, vegetables, fruit, and dairy and non- perishable canned and packaged food and heat-n-eat meals. Those in need are welcome to attend one distribution per week. Food Pantry: Tuesdays 1:30 - 2:30 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 (860) 388-1988 to book your appointment.
Address :
222 Mcveagh Rd,
Westbrook, CT 06498.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Westbrook
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries - Old Saybrook Meal Site
Our meal sites are located in Centerbrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, and Old Lyme. Hot nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers and served family style. Those in need are welcome to attend all our meal sites. All who enter our doors will be welcomed and will be served to the best of our ability. All our meals and services are free of charge. Meal: Wednesdays 12:00 - 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 (860) 388-1988 to book your appointment.
Address :
336 Main St,
Old Saybrook, CT 06475.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Old Saybrook
Help Residents of Counties:
- Middlesex
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 Middlesex, Connecticut
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.