A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in New Haven, 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 New Haven, 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 New Haven, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - New Haven Citadel
Services provided :
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Camping Activities
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Nutrition Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- 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 (203) 624-9891 to book your appointment.
Address :
450 George St,
New Haven, CT 06511.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around New Haven, 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 2 Church Food Pantry locations in New Haven, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Paul & St. James Episopal Church - Loaves & Fishes Ministry Food Pantry
Every Saturday morning from 9:00-10:30 hundreds of people gather outside the Church of St. Paul & St. James for our Loaves & Fishes ministry. This ministry began with a food pantry, but it much more than a food pantry. Each person is valued and we do all we can to extend radical hospitality to all who enter through our doors. We serve the working poor, unemployed, and all those in need by providing a bag of groceries to each person who comes through our doors on Saturday mornings. No one is turned away and by the grace of God we now serve 200 to 300 households each Saturday. Our hospitality extends way beyond providing food.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (203) 562-2691 to book your appointment.
Address :
57 Olive St,
New Haven, CT 06511.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
Varick Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church - The Storehouse Pantry
This ministry through partnerships with area food banks seeks to provide food for those in the community who are in need 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 (203) 624-6245 to book your appointment.
Address :
242 Dixwell Ave,
New Haven, CT 06511.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
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 New Haven, 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 New Haven, 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 New Haven, 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 New Haven, 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 New Haven, 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 New Haven, 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 New Haven, 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 0 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in New Haven, Connecticut 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 New Haven, 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 8 Food Pantry locations in New Haven, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Community Action Agency of New Haven - Open Choice Food Pantry
Food insecurity is the new name for hunger in America, as unprecedented millions of Americans struggle to put food on the table for their families. Borrowing an idea from a recent documentary film about this crisis, A Place at the Table, we are putting a face on these stories from CAANH's Open Choice Food Pantry. Even though most of our clients work, they are still unable to make ends meet. Our Food Pantry allows clients to choose the foods they want, rather than making the decision for them, not always the way most pantries operate. Whenever possible, CAANH chooses healthful food items. Every year, Community Action Agency's Open Choice Food Pantry distributes more than 30,000 pounds of food. Through our ChiliFest and grants, we are able to buy the food provided in our pantry. The current economic situation is creating a greater need now more than ever. People who've never needed food assistance are now visiting the CAANH Food Pantry. CAANH provides an emergency food supply to eligible low income households in New Haven, once a month by appointment only. Customers can choose what goes into their bag(s) from different food groups (fruits, vegetables, cereals, rice and pasta, tuna, peanut butter, soups, meat as available), rather than receiving a pre-packed bag of food. Please schedule an appointment by calling 203-387-7700 X172. Food Pantry visits occur on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
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 (203) 285-8018 to book your appointment.
Address :
419 Whalley Ave,
New Haven, CT 06511.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
JFS Pantry
Today, the JFS Pantry and its food programs serve people near or below poverty line, or who are nutritionally at risk. Our food pantry, located at 1440 Whalley Ave., offers non-perishables to needy families as a once monthly supplement to food stamps. The Food Pantry is open each Tuesday from 9-12 and two Fridays per month. Emergency food assistance can be obtained after 10:30 a.m. on the days we are open. A current photo ID/license, proof of dependents and income are required during the emergency food application process. For emergency food, please call 203-397-0796. More than 5,000 pounds of nonperishable food are distributed through JFS each month! The food distributed is purchased from the Connecticut Food Bank, in addition to food received from donations from individuals and from food drives by synagogues, schools, organizations and local businesses.The pantry is funded in part by a grant from the United Way of Greater New Haven.
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 (203) 397-0796 to book your appointment.
Address :
1440 Whalley Ave,
New Haven, CT 06515.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
New Haven Community Soup Kitchen
Community Soup Kitchen provides lunch weekdays (except Wednesday) at our Broadway location, in the Parish House of the Christ Church, Episcopal. Working with four other sites, we also offer breakfast to the homeless and hungry four days a week. In addition to providing free nutritious meals, Community Soup Kitchen acts as a host site for agencies that offer various assistance to our guests, such as Hill Health Center, and the ACCESS mental health outreach team, as well as employment and pre-employment resources. Twice each week we work with Saint Luke’s Services to provide lunch for needy women and children. We also provide bagged lunches for the homeless outreach program at Fellowship Place. Community Soup Kitchen’s operating budget is approximately $375,000. We do not receive state or federal funds. We do, however, receive some food from government programs, and have received grants from the City of New Haven to sustain our work. Community Soup Kitchen has a paid staff of three, and a volunteer coordinator and all-volunteer Board. We also have many dedicated volunteers from Yale and the wider community, court mandated workers, and clients of Chapel Haven who participate in rehabilitative programs featuring work in our kitchen and dining room. Our guests include the jobless, homeless, elderly, those living with AIDS, those living on welfare, the mentally ill, chronic substance abusers, single parents, the working poor, veterans, and the lonely and hungry people of our 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 (203) 624-4594 to book your appointment.
Address :
84 Broadway,
New Haven, CT 06511.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
Beulah Heights Social Integration Program - Morning Manna/Soup Kitchen
The Morning Manna was the first program that was conceived by Bishop Brooks. It is an outreach of the Beulah Heights Church to the “unchurched†who have never had an experience with traditional religious experience. The Morning-Manna is now the name given to the soup kitchen. A person's body and spirit must both be fed in order to function at his or her peak. A nutritious meal can help keep the body healthy and aid in the healing process. Words of faith, encouragement and wisdom can lift a person's spirit and give them a brand new outlook on life. The Morning Manna is non- traditional faith- based, religious experience offered to the homeless, ex-offender and those dealing with substance abuse. It is a place where hope, faith, love is found and nurtured to give the worshippers hope in a hopeless situation. Beginning October 1, 2013, hot breakfast will be served on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:15am - 8:45am. Lunch will is served on Saturdays during the summer at 11:30am - 12:00pm and in the winter from 12:00pm - 1:00pm. Transportation is offered by calling 475-238-8270 by Friday at 12:00 p.m.
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 (475) 238-8270 to book your appointment.
Address :
782 Orchard St,
New Haven, CT 06511.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
Cathedral of Higher Praise C.O.G.O.P - Food Pantry
Cathedral of Higher Praise C.O.G.O.P. is made up of various ministries that support being equipped in the Word of God and stands together to accomplish your Spiritual Growth.
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 (203) 776-7676 to book your appointment.
Address :
155 Grand Ave,
New Haven, CT 06513.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
Saint Thomas More Soup Kitchen
In 1984 a group of faculty and students got together to discuss starting a soup kitchen to serve lunch on Wednesdays. I imagine at the time that they hoped their efforts might be temporary; in the current economy they could not have been more wrong! The vision and creativity that surrounded that collaboration continues each week as we prepare to welcome over 250 guests to The Thomas E. Golden, Jr. Center. To see the enthusiasm with which talented Yalies debate over how best to prepare the pile of potatoes before them is a unique experience indeed! The most rewarding work though is witnessing the interactions that take place around this meal: the song requests a student takes as she plays the guitar during lunch; the proud smiles on the faces of the guests as they stand and sing with her and the kids dancing along with the beat; the generosity the guests show one another by carrying soup and an extra dessert; the mother who let me rock her three month old to sleep so that she could eat her lunch … with 2 hands; all moments that glimpse the extraordinary in the ordinary moments. The laughter that fills our dining hall each Wednesday gives witness to our hope of providing a pleasant and respectful atmosphere for our guests. It has been our profound privilege to have known each volunteer and guest that has been a part of this project and we are grateful to you all! Student volunteers are always needed to prepare food, serve, greet and converse with our guests, make scarves and much more!
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 (203) 777-5537 to book your appointment.
Address :
268 Park St,
New Haven, CT 06511.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
Christian Community Action, Inc. - Food Pantry
Since the early 1970’s, CCA has made a food pantry available to families with children, senior citizens and people with disabilities in the Hill section of New Haven, Connecticut. Over the years we have served more than 50,000 people. Starting in the spring of 2001, we have offered a "Client Choice" Program. Food pantry participants are given the opportunity to "shop" for their food items rather than receiving a pre-made bag. CCA maintains membership with the Connecticut Food Bank.
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 (203) 777-7848 to book your appointment.
Address :
168 Davenport Ave,
New Haven, CT 06519.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
Project M.O.R.E., Inc. - Basic Needs Services
Project M.O.R.E., Inc. provides Basic Needs Services that address the fundamental needs of its clients and their families. These services ensure that each client is provided access to essential supports throughout their transition. They can be utilized at any point in which extra assistance is vital to the well-being of themselves, their families, and/or their successful transition. Through a partnership with the Connecticut Food Bank, the New Haven AIC provides non-perishable foods to both program clients and the community at large. The food pantry is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11AM – 4PM. Access to the food pantry is available while supplies last. All patrons must fill out a form in order to determine household size. Clients should contact the AIC at 203-865-5700 prior to pick up to ensure availability of food.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (203) 865-5700 to book your appointment.
Address :
830 Grand Ave,
New Haven, CT 06511.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- New Haven
Help Residents of Counties:
- New Haven
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 New Haven, 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.