A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Willimantic, 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 Willimantic, 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 5 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Willimantic, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Camp CONNRI
Services provided :
- Residential Camping Activities
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) 429-6401 to book your appointment.
Address :
28 Happy Hill Ln,
Ashford, CT 06278.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Windham
The Salvation Army - Dayville Store
Services provided :
- 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 (860) 774-3543 to book your appointment.
Address :
728 Hartford Pike,
Dayville, CT 06241.
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- Windham
The Salvation Army - Dayville Store
Services provided :
- 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 (860) 774-3543 to book your appointment.
Address :
730 Hartford Pike,
Dayville, CT 06241.
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- Windham
The Salvation Army - Willimantic Corps
Services provided :
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Latchkey Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Visitation Services
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- 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) 423-0977 to book your appointment.
Address :
316 Pleasant St,
Willimantic, CT 06226.
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Windham
The Salvation Army - Norwich Corps
Food Pantry - Tuesdays to Thursdays – 1:00 to 3:00PM. The Salvation Army is known for providing a broad array of services and feeding people has always been a major part of its mission. The Army serves men, women and children. Many of the adults are single parents. The Army is always there to help! Feeding Program - 2nd Sundays – 1:45 to 2:45PM
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) 889-2329 to book your appointment.
Address :
262 Main St,
Norwich, CT 06360.
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Norwich
Help Residents of Counties:
- New London
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Willimantic, 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 1 Church Food Pantry locations in Willimantic, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church - Holy Family Food Pantry
We are created in love and for love to serve others in this life. Our vision of faith recognizes the reality of the Mystical Body of which we are all members in Christ. In the spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul, Apostle of charity and our patron of the works of charity, we serve the needy among us with whom we are to journey in charity. In the poor whom we serve, we see and know the crucified, suffering Christ. We see in these members the need for food, clothing and shelter. We serve these poor in many ways. Our food pantry aids hundreds of families a month by providing food and donations of clothing. In faith and charity we continue to ask the Lord, through the intercession of St. Vincent de Paul, to bless these works of charity that directly impact the needy members of the Mystical Body of Christ in a way that shows the care and concern of the Master. The Holy Family Food Pantry is located in the Motherhouse in Baltic, CT. We welcome any nonperishable food items and frozen meat to allow our pantry to continue to help the poor.
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) 822-8241 to book your appointment.
Address :
54 W Main St,
Baltic, CT 06330.
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Baltic
Help Residents of Counties:
- New London
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 Willimantic, 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 2 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Willimantic, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc. - Norwich Office
Emergency help for families facing emergency situations can be found at Catholic Charities in Norwich, New London and Willimantic. The primary goal of Emergency Services and Case Management Services is to provide , information and referrals to community resources, as well as case management for individuals and families in crisis situations to help meet their immediate basic needs.
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) 889-8346 to book your appointment.
Address :
331 Main St,
Norwich, CT 06360.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Norwich
Help Residents of Counties:
- New London
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc. - Willimantic Office
Emergency help for families facing emergency situations can be found at Catholic Charities in Norwich, New London and Willimantic. The primary goal of Emergency Services and Case Management Services is to provide , information and referrals to community resources, as well as case management for individuals and families in crisis situations to help meet their immediate basic needs.
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) 423-7065 to book your appointment.
Address :
115 Jackson St,
Willimantic, CT 06226.
Get Directions
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- Willimantic
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- Windham
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Willimantic, 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 Willimantic, 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 Willimantic, 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 Willimantic, 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 Willimantic, 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 1 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Willimantic, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent de Paul Place
Currently operating out of the former St. Joseph's School building in downtown Norwich, CT, St. Vincent de Paul Place is a community meal site and food pantry that strives to meet the needs of homeless people and families with limited income in the greater Norwich area. Established by the Catholic Diocese of Norwich in 1979, our goal is to provide food, companionship, and advocacy for anyone in need, regardless of race or religion. We seek to not only meet the immediate needs of those who come to us, but to also promote a more independent lifestyle. Our primary services are our kitchen and dining area which serves breakfast and lunch six days a week, and our food pantry which distributes food three days a week. In addition we also offer shower and laundry facilities. We do our best to meet any other needs our clients may have. We also serve as a location to perform assigned community service. We serve breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday. We open our doors for breakfast at 8:00am and it is available until 10:00am. Lunch starts at 11:30am and is available until 1:00pm. For breakfast we serve hot and cold cereal, toast, and pastries. Coffee, juice, and fruit are also always offered. We often serve breakfast specials. Lunch is a full meal of one of the following: turkey, chicken, beef, fish, or pasta, all served with a vegetable, bread, and dessert. We often include soup and/or salad. Our dining area is open from 8:00am to 2:00pm. Everyone is welcome to come in out of the weather. Our food pantry distributes food three days per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. On Monday and Wednesday food distribution runs from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. On Saturday our distribution time is from 9:00am until 11:00am. To receive food a short eligibility form must be completed. Clients may come for food once a week. The food bag process is a client-choice system where each person chooses items from our selection. We strive to offer canned soup, pasta with sauce, macaroni and cheese, canned meats, canned vegetables, bread, and dessert every week. We often have other foods available including fresh fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, chips and snacks, and other donated 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 (860) 889-7374 to book your appointment.
Address :
120 Cliff St,
Norwich, CT 06360.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Norwich
Help Residents of Counties:
- New London
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Willimantic, 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 5 Food Pantry locations in Willimantic, Connecticut which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Covenant Soup Kitchen
The objective of the Soup Kitchen is to offer a "light" breakfast and a hot, nutritious lunch, six days a week, at no charge to its guests. Our "Food Policy" tries to assure that a hot breakfast is available several mornings a week, especially during the cold weather. At lunch, a variety of foods are offered so guests may make appropriate choices according to individual dietary and health needs. When everyone has been served, guests may get "take out" containers of food to take with them. Bread and produce are also available most days for taking. During the last fiscal year, the Soup Kitchen was open 297 days for lunch. A total of 23,385 meals were served, not counting seconds and "take outs" for a daily average of 92 individuals. The facility was open 299 days for breakfast, providing 14,057 meals, for a daily average of 51 people. In November of 2001 the Soup Kitchen began serving meals on Friday evenings from 5 to 7pm. On Sundays, when the Soup Kitchen is not open, bag lunches are distributed at the Willimantic Co-op. While kitchen staff plan the lunch and provide the food, parishioners from Saint Paul's Church and other community volunteers prepare and pass out the lunches. The Food Pantry responds to requests for emergency groceries on a once per month, per family basis. The pantry is open two hours per day, five days per week. In order to receive food, guests must first obtain an "Emergency Food Card" by registering at the Access Agency. This card then allows them to receive food assistance from other agencies in town. In August of 1998 the Food Pantry changed to a "Client Choice" format. Each person utilizing the service can choose the foods they prefer from shelves that are organized according to the Federal Government's Food Pyramid. Since this new format was introduced, we have seen a steady increase in the number of individuals using the pantry. Our numbers increased 10% last year, and we have seen an additional increase some months this year as high as 30%, for a total of 38,916 meals provided through the pantry. (Number of meals is calculated by the the number of people per family times nine: three meals for three days). Meals: Breakfast: Monday Through Saturday, 9:15am; Lunch: Monday Through Saturday, 12:15pm To 1:00pm; Sunday Bag Lunch, 11:30am to 12:00pm; Dinner: Friday Evening Only, 5:30pm to 6:00pm; Emergency Food Pantry: Monday Through Friday 2:00pm - 4:00pm
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) 423-1643 to book your appointment.
Address :
220 Valley St,
Willimantic, CT 06226.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Willimantic
Help Residents of Counties:
- Windham
Hebron Interfaith Human Services
Hebron Interfaith Human Services (HIHS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 by the local houses of worship to fill a void in the community by providing emergency food assistance to town residents. In 1992, due to increasing needs of the community, a social services director was hired and HIHS expanded to include a year round food bank, fuel bank and human services. Since this time, HIHS has sustained a commitment to advocacy, whenever possible, to assist town residents in need. Recent changes to our economy require that we make every effort to expand programs and services to assist our community. We are currently supported by the local houses of worship, The Hebron Lions Club, local businesses, other civic organizations such as The Hebron Women's Club, fundraisers, participation in fundraising events, grants, and private donations. Food Pick-up Hours: (Food pick up is every other week) - Tuesday: 9:00am - 11:30am; Thursday 9:30am - 11:30am, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
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 (860) 228-1681 to book your appointment.
Address :
20 Pendleton Dr,
Hebron, CT 06248.
Get Directions
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- Hebron
Help Residents of Counties:
- Tolland
Norwich Worship Center - Food Pantry
The Food Pantry ministry distributes food to those in need in our community. The Food Pantry at the Norwich Worship Center began 30 plus years ago as Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. With weekly food distributions, and Thanksgiving baskets being the focus of the ministry. Many people have worked diligentily over the years to help this ministry grow and be able to help many families each and every week. Over the years we have created partnerships with other organizations like the Gemma Moran United Way Food Center, Panera in Lisbon, nd the St. Vincent Depaul Soup Kitchen.Each Tuesday registration to pick up food begins at 12:30 pm. Food Distribution begins at 1pm -2pm. Each week we encourage the members of our fellowship to bring donations for the food bank to our weekly services. If you or your family are in need of Food, please feel free to call our Church at 860-822-9522, so that we can put you in touch with the Food Pantry. If you are visiting the Food Pantry for the first time please bring a Photo ID, and a copy of the utility bill.
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) 822-9522 to book your appointment.
Address :
165 Lawler Ln,
Norwich, CT 06360.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Norwich
Help Residents of Counties:
- New London
Town of Bolton Senior/Social Services - Food Pantry
Thank you to all of our recent donors who continue to help us keep our Food Pantry well stocked and diverse.
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) 647-9196 to book your appointment.
Address :
104 Notch Rd,
Bolton, CT 06043.
Get Directions
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- Bolton
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- Tolland
Town of Eastford - Food Pantry
The Town of Eastford offers an Food Bank for families within the town in times of 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 (860) 974-1618 to book your appointment.
Address :
16 Westford Rd,
Eastford, CT 06242.
Get Directions
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Eastford
Help Residents of Counties:
- Windham
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 Willimantic, 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.