A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Alachua, Florida 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 Alachua, Florida 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 Alachua, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Gainesville, FL
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition
- Men's Ministries
- Seasonal Services
- Store
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- 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 (352) 376-1743 to book your appointment.
Address :
639 E University Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32601.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Alachua
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Alachua, Florida 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 Alachua, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Trinity Metropolitan Community Church Of Gainesville
Our food pantry provides food to meet basic nutritional needs for individuals and families in need and is available. Our clients are children, adults or senior citizens with limited or no income, who simply have fallen on hard times or recently unemployed. The amount of food given depends on household size. Trinity Metropolitan Community Church has a belief that nobody should go hungry for spiritual love or 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 (352) 495-3378 to book your appointment.
Address :
11604 SW Archer Rd,
Gainesville, FL 32608.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gainesville
Church Of God By Faith
Hospitality Ministry offers meals and emergency food pantry to the people in need.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
- meals
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 376-8716 to book your appointment.
Address :
2800 NE 59Th St,
Gainesville, FL 32609.
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:
- Alachua
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 Alachua, Florida 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 Alachua, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Catholic Charities Bureau Diocese of St. Augustine
Catholic Charities Bureau Diocese of St. Augustine offers Food Assistance Services that provide food and basic need items to individuals and families who are in need and without resources. We try to accommodate dietary needs of our clients when possible. Our services are based on emergency situations and not on chronic or ongoing needs.
Each of our four Regional Offices provide food through their food pantries:
-Gainesville Regional Office
-Jacksonville Regional Office
-Lake City Regional Office
-St. Augustine Regional Office (Bring photo ID, and original Social Security card for each family member)
Contact the office nearest you for information specific to your geographical location eligibility criteria, schedules of distribution and hours of operations.
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 (904) 354-4846 to book your appointment.
Address :
134 E Church St,
Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
- Tues: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
- Wed: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
- Thurs: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
- Fri: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Duval
- Alachua
- Columbia
- Saint Johns
Catholic Charities Gainesville - Food Pantry
Hunger can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, gender or ethnicity. Some local families are often forced to choose between food and other basic necessities such as medical care, rent or utilities. Catholic Charities provides assistance to individuals and families that are in immediate distress. Our food pantry currently provides around 850 pounds of food a week, and serves over 1000 people a month. We are a once-a-month supplemental food source for families struggling to make ends meet. We provide food packages nutritionally balanced to meet the needs of each family or individual. We have a specialized food list for individuals facing the challenge of Diabetes. These bags are pre-made and are added to the food given to the rest of the family. We have specific bags for our homeless clients that take into consideration a person’s ability to cook and offer smaller serving sizes so food will not go to waste. We offer special programs for back to school, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also provide limited financial assistance for rent, mortgages, utilities, and prescriptions. Food Pantry: Mon - Thur 9:30am-3:30pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 372-0294 to book your appointment.
Address :
1701 Ne 9th St,
Gainesville, FL 32609.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gainesville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Alachua
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Alachua, Florida 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 Alachua, Florida 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 Alachua, Florida 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 1 Mobile Food Pantry locations in Alachua, Model.Content.StateName which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Catholic Charities Gainesville
Rural Mobile Food Outreach Program serves the five rural counties surrounding the Gainesville area. Our program coordinator and volunteers bring food; personal care products, pet foods and other necessities to people in these areas who cannot make the journey into town. The people most impacted by poverty in the rural communities are the elderly and children. Our support helps them meet their basic needs. Special bags are distributed during the year for back to school and the holidays. The back to school packs are filled the necessary school supplies needed for a successful learning experience and to help children start the year off right.
Services provided :
- food delivery
- food pantry
- personal care items
- supplies for 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 (352) 372-0294 to book your appointment.
Address :
1701 NE 9th St,
Gainesville, FL 32609.
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:
- Alachua
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry operates around Alachua, Florida 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 Alachua, Florida 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 Alachua, Florida 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 9 Food Pantry locations in Alachua, Florida which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Gainesville Community Ministry Inc
Food Pantry provides emergency food for the elderly, the disabled and the working poor with families during times when food is otherwise unavailable due to limited incomes. Individuals must apply in person M-Thurs 9 am-1 pm, must show proof of income, a picture ID and SS card or SS print out required. For more information call 352-372-8162.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- 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 (352) 372-8162 to book your appointment.
Address :
238 SW 4th Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32601.
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:
- Alachua
High Springs Social Services
Has a food pantry, clothes closet, provides referrals, assistance with applying for programs, and helps transients with Gasoline Vouchers and Bag Lunches.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
- help pay for transit
- government benefits
- understand government programs
- meals
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.
Address :
15 SE 1st Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32601.
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:
- Alachua
ElderCare of Alachua County
Minor home repairs are offered along with light yard work, moving items and seasonal cleaning. Legal advice and guidance, including power of attorney or advance directive document preparation, and direction regarding real estate or other legal questions. Volunteers communicate with assigned clients on a regular basis to determine safety and to provide psychological reassurance. One free round trip per month via mini-bus or van to elders for medical reasons. ElderCare maintains a pantry of non-perishable items to assist struggling seniors with basic needs. The pantry accepts donations of canned goods, as well as personal items (paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste).
Services provided :
- food pantry
- maintenance & repairs
- transportation for healthcare
- advocacy & legal aid
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 375-3000 to book your appointment.
Address :
1701 NW 80th Blvd,
Gainesville, FL 32606.
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:
- Alachua
Field And Fork Food Campus Food Program
Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Pantry program food to those in need within our campus community. The Pantry is committed to protecting the privacy of its guests and to providing food to those in need within our campus community. We ask that individuals swipe their UF ID for the purpose of data collection only. A basket will be provided for the individual to shop at The Pantry. Individuals are encouraged to take enough food to last them (and family, if applicable) approximately one week (and/or until the next time The Pantry is open).
The Pantry is available to anyone with a valid UF ID.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- personal care items
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 294-3601 to book your appointment.
Address :
520 Newell Dr,
Gainesville, FL 32611.
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 Cities:
- Gainesville
Lake Area Ministries
While our primary focus is to provide food to families, we at LAM do so much more for the people in our community, like helping with medications, counseling, buying school supplies for needy children, and when no other agency funds are available we help pay rent and/or utility bills in emergency situations.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- help pay for housing
- help pay for utilities
- help pay for healthcare
- prescription assistance
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 473-2846 to book your appointment.
Address :
330 SE Palmetto Ave,
Keystone Heights, FL 32656.
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:
- Alachua
- Bradford
- Clay
- Putnam
Partnership for Strong Families
The SWAG Family Resource Center partners with the Southwest Advocacy Group (SWAG) to provide programs, services and activities for individuals, children and families in the 32607 and 32608 zip codes and surrounding neighborhoods. SWAGFRC connects residents with resources and opportunities otherwise inaccessible due to income and transportation limitations. Services include job assistance, after school tutoring, food, clothing and computers/internet.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
- baby supplies
- diapers & formula
- baby clothes
- toys & gifts
- parenting education
- counseling
- support groups
- clothes for 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 (352) 505-6823 to book your appointment.
Address :
807 SW 64th Ter,
Gainesville, FL 32607.
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
Lazarus Restoration Ministires, Inc.
provides housing, clothing, food and other assistance to homeless and indigent people in our community. Through the Self-sufficiency Housing and Development Program, families are given the training and assistance they need to get back on their feet and be restored back into mainstream society. Over the years, God has blessed us to lift many individuals out of homelessness, house them in our Lazarus Houses, and provide the services they needed to restore their lives and obtain their own permanent housing or referral.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
- baby supplies
- clothing
- home goods
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (352) 317-3928 to book your appointment.
Address :
3019 NE 20th Way,
Gainesville, FL 32609.
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:
- Alachua
Changing Hearts Food Mission
Our goal is to make sure no one goes hungry. We provide food for those in need, because no one should worry about where their next meal comes from.
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 (904) 233-9534 to book your appointment.
Address :
901 Nw 8th Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32601.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gainesville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Alachua
Gainesville Harvest, Inc.
Gainesville Harvest, Inc. is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to eliminating hunger and reducing food waste by delivering leftover and donated food to hungry individuals throughout Alachua County.
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 (352) 378-3663 to book your appointment.
Address :
4550 Sw 41st Blvd Ste 1,
Gainesville, FL 32608.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gainesville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Alachua
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 Alachua, Florida
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.