A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Elkhart, Indiana 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 Elkhart, Indiana 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 3 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Elkhart, Indiana which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - South Bend Kroc Center
Services provided :
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Seasonal 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 (574) 233-9471 to book your appointment.
Address :
900 W Western Ave,
South Bend, IN 46601.
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The Salvation Army - Elkhart, IN Corps
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Nutrition Programs
- Seasonal Services
- 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 (574) 970-0088 to book your appointment.
Address :
300 N Main St,
Elkhart, IN 46516.
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The Salvation Army of Goshen - Food Pantry
Food Assistance – given in an emergency situation, one can access the food pantry every sixty (60) days.
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 (574) 533-9584 to book your appointment.
Address :
1013 N Main St,
Goshen, IN 46528.
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- Goshen
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- Elkhart
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Elkhart, Indiana 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 7 Church Food Pantry locations in Elkhart, Indiana which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Radiant Life Church, Inc. - Open Door Food Pantry
The 2nd Tuesday of every month, Radiant Life members open the door to those in the community needing food. Help is always appreciated in collection of food, and distribution the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Since opening our doors, the OPEN DOOR PANTRY has opened the door to providing thousands of meals to those needing help.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (574) 675-0996 to book your appointment.
Address :
21565 Executive Pkwy,
Elkhart, IN 46514.
Get Directions
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- Elkhart
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- Elkhart
Susanna's Kitchen at First Congregational Church
Our mission is to provide a hot meal to persons who walk through our doors without reference to ability, age, gender, race or religious belief.​ The idea for Susanna's KItchen came from a "think group" at Grace United Methodist Church in February 1982. Volunteers for kitchen help came from each United Methodist church in the Elkhart area. A start-up date was set for July 7, 1982 with soup and bread being the first menu items. There is no charge for the food. Susanna’s Kitchen moved to First Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ about 2005 in order to continue this important ministry when its location at Grace Pentecostal Church could no longer provide space. Each week day, Susanna's Kitchen provides a hot luncheon for 60 to 100 individuals. Today, over twenty local churches of various denominations provide volunteers to staff the kitchen.
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 (574) 522-5893 to book your appointment.
Address :
431 S 3rd St,
Elkhart, IN 46516.
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- Elkhart
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- Elkhart
The Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist - Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. unless posted otherwise. Entrance to the Food Pantry is at the north (rear) door. A greeter will be on hand to assist if there are any mobility needs. The Food Pantry is on the lower (basement) level of the church with adequate seating and restroom access. Please note, waiting lines are not uncommon. If the weather is inclement, shelter will be provided inside, but serving will not begin until 8:30 a.m. Please bring a photo identification. You may with to bring your own bags, although the Pantry does provide bags. If you have not visited the Pantry within the last 6 months, you may need to fill out new registration. There will be many servers on hand to assist visitors and clients. All persons being served by our pantry will follow a system to select needed food and (when available) hygiene items. During summer months, fresh food from local farms and gardens is not uncommon. All clients are expected to be respectful of others and obey community laws and ordinances.
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 (574) 523-2822 to book your appointment.
Address :
226 W Lexington Ave,
Elkhart, IN 46516.
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- Elkhart
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- Elkhart
East Goshen Mennonite Church Food Pantry
People in need from the Goshen community come every Tuesday, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, into the South-West entry of the church building to receive assistance with non-parishable food, bread, essential household supplies and personal hygiene items. Our Guests are women, men and families who live in Goshen. We do not ask anyone to give us any personal information beyond their name, address (we request a photo ID) and phone number. We will assist each household up to one time per calendar 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 (574) 533-7161 to book your appointment.
Address :
17861 S R 4,
Goshen, IN 46528.
Get Directions
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- Goshen
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- Elkhart
Goshen First United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Goshen First United Methodist Church has a food pantry. We receive food from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and donations from individuals. We serve needy families in the Goshen community. Currently we are serving 30 families per month. Last year we served 380 families in the community. We work with the Salvation Army, so we ask families to go there first before coming to our pantry. Pantry hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon each week day.
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 (574) 533-9518 to book your appointment.
Address :
214 S Fifth St,
Goshen, IN 46528.
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- Goshen
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- Elkhart
M.A.C. Food Pantry at Albright United Methodist Church
The M.A.C. food pantry is open here at Albright Church every Tuesday from 6-8 pm and every Friday from 10:00 am to noon. The food pantry services anyone from the City of Mishawaka that is in need 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 (574) 259-1975 to book your appointment.
Address :
504 W Mishawaka Ave,
Mishawaka, IN 46545.
Get Directions
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- Mishawaka
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- St. Joseph
Faith Mission of Elkhart Inc. - Free Walk-In Meals at Nappanee Church of the Brethren
Free Meals: Monday 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Thursday 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 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 (574) 773-4044 to book your appointment.
Address :
301 Mack Dr,
Nappanee, IN 46550.
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- Nappanee
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- Elkhart
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 Elkhart, Indiana 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 Elkhart, Indiana 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 Elkhart, Indiana 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 Elkhart, Indiana 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 Elkhart, Indiana 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 Elkhart, 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 Elkhart, Indiana 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 Elkhart, Indiana 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 Elkhart, Indiana 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 10 Food Pantry locations in Elkhart, Indiana which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Christ's Commissary, Inc.
Christ's Commissary, Inc. was originally created as a food pantry during the Y2K crisis, and decided to serve the community as Christ's Commissary Food Pantry. We began serving between 15 and 20 families a month and now serve about 500 families a month. In 2010 we became incorporated, and in June of 2011 we took on Harvest Basket Senior Food Program.
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 to book your appointment.
Address :
24197 County Road 16 E,
Elkhart, IN 46516.
Get Directions
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- Elkhart
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- Elkhart
Faith Mission of Elkhart Inc. - Free Walk-In Meals
Faith Mission provides two free meals a day, 365 days a year. Lunch: 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.; Dinner 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 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 (574) 293-3406 to book your appointment.
Address :
801 Benham Ave,
Elkhart, IN 46516.
Get Directions
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- Elkhart
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- Elkhart
Guidance Ministries, Inc. - God's Kitchen/Food Pantry
God's Kitchen: This is conducted as an open house forum serving meals to the homeless and low income families. Guests are seated and served in the style of a restaurant while background music is playing. Job announcements, birthday and anniversary singing as well as a brief sermon and prayer are offered just before the hot meals are served. This outreach is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Food Pantry: Bags of food and toiletry items are given out to those in need. Each bag is made up according to the number of family members living in the household and any special needs of the clients. Clients may come one time a month for assistance.
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 (574) 296-7192 to book your appointment.
Address :
216 N 2nd St,
Elkhart, IN 46516.
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- Elkhart
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- Elkhart
New Hope United Methodist - Elizabeth Abel Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is open every Friday from 9:00 am to 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 (574) 262-9341 to book your appointment.
Address :
28765 County Road 4,
Elkhart, IN 46514.
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- Elkhart
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- Elkhart
Open Gate Praise and Deliverance Ministries, Inc. - Food Pantry
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 (574) 522-8250 to book your appointment.
Address :
137 Division St,
Elkhart, IN 46516.
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- Elkhart
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- Elkhart
The Window
Katie's Kitchen - This soup kitchen began over twenty years ago and continues to provide a FREE hot lunch every weekday. Anyone from the Goshen Community is invited with no registration. Dining Room Hours: Monday-Friday: Donuts & Coffee 9:00am-10:00am; Lunch 11:30am-12:30pm; Sandwiches 2:00pm-3:00pm. The Food Pantry - Food boxes worth $50.00 are distributed to anyone in need. "Shop" the shelves for certain items and quantities based on family size and personal preferences in our Client Choice Food Pantry. No matter what the choices, everyone walks away with nutritious, balanced groceries supplementing every day needs. The items given away in our Pantry are donated by the Goshen Community or are purchased through a grant from IU Goshen Health Systems. Martin's Supermarkets and Kroger have been constant contributors of bread and other shelf-stable items. Pantry Hours: Monday 1:00pm-4:00pm, Tuesday 9:00am-10:30am, Wednesday Closed, Thursday 9:00am-10:30am, 4:00pm-5:30pm, Friday 1:00pm-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 (574) 533-9680 to book your appointment.
Address :
223 S Main St,
Goshen, IN 46526.
Get Directions
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- Goshen
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- Elkhart
Middlebury Food Pantry
The Middlebury Food Pantry attempts to provide food for those in need in our community. We are funded primarily by donations by people just like you: people who are grateful to have enough food on the table, and maybe even those who have been through a hard time themselves in the past. Our policy is to try to give enough food and personal needs items to last a household for a week. We ask guests to try to limit their visits to once a month, and then we also provide them with information on additional sources of assistance they can find throughout the community. We welcome all who come through our doors, with compassion and respect. People often need more than just food. It is our goal to comfort and encourage those who are hurting, by listening and offering friendship and understanding when they need it most. Pantry Hours of Operation: Wednesdays: after 1:00 PM, by appointment, & Saturdays: 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
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 (574) 825-5135 to book your appointment.
Address :
203 E Lawrence St,
Middlebury, IN 46540.
Get Directions
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- Middlebury
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- Elkhart
Mishawaka Food Pantry
We are committed to connecting those who are caring and compassionate with those who are most in need in our community in an atmosphere of partnership and mutual respect. At the Mishawaka Food Pantry you will be treated as a customer with dignity and respect. Most all of our customers are respectful and appreciative of what we do and it is easy for us to return the same attitude. Everything we receive is donated to us by caring and compassionate people. Whatever is donated we will see that it goes to a family in 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 (574) 220-6213 to book your appointment.
Address :
315 Lincolnway W,
Mishawaka, IN 46544.
Get Directions
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- Mishawaka
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- St. Joseph
The Storehouse
The Storehouse is currently serving those that reside in: Mishawaka 46544 & 46545, Granger 46530, Osceola 46561. We are able to serve you every Wednesday, from 9:30 to 11:30 am, and the second and fourth Monday of each month from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Please bring picture ID and proof of residence (mail with current residence, dated within the last 90 days).
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 (574) 258-5513 to book your appointment.
Address :
55855 Bittersweet Rd,
Mishawaka, IN 46545.
Get Directions
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- Mishawaka
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- St. Joseph
Family Christian Development Center
Family Christian Development Center Mission Statement is to see lives transformed and the life of the community enhanced by encouraging the oppressed, defending the cause of the weak, and maintaining the rights of the poor by bringing together the resources of the caring community as a demonstration of the good news of Christ. All services and programs provided by Family Christian Development Center are for residents of the WaNee Community School District - Nappanee and Wakarusa. Food Pantry - Our 'client choice' food pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wakarusa and Nappanee area residents may visit up to two times per month to receive groceries and personal care items.
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 (574) 773-2149 to book your appointment.
Address :
151 S Locke St,
Nappanee, IN 46550.
Get Directions
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- Nappanee
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- Elkhart
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 Elkhart, Indiana
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.