We found 24 food pantries listed for Merrillville, Indiana. Call before you go to confirm hours and what to bring. You can also see Food banks in Lake County, Indiana.
Salvation Army Food Pantry Locations
We have located 5 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Merrillville, Indiana. You can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Gary-Merrillville Corps Community Center
Phone: (219) 887-6588
Address: 4800 Harrison St, Gary, IN 46408. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Day Camp Activities
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Pathway of Hope
- 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 :
Call (219) 887-6588 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
The Salvation Army - Porter County, IN Corps
Phone: (219) 762-9191
Address: 799 Capitol Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46385. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Nutrition 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 :
Call (219) 762-9191 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Porter
The Salvation Army - East Chicago Corps Community Center
Phone: (219) 398-2939
Address: 513 E Chicago Ave, East Chicago, IN 46312. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Disaster Services
- Drop Box
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Food Pantry
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Nutrition Programs
- Pathway of Hope
- Seasonal Services
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Spanish
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Young Adult
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
Call (219) 398-2939 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
The Salvation Army - Lake County Office
Phone: (219) 838-0380
Address: 8225 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Care
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Food Pantry
- Music & Arts Programs
- Pathway of Hope
- Seasonal Services
- Visitation Services
Appointments :
Call (219) 838-0380 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
The Salvation Army East Chicago - Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen
Phone: (219) 398-2939
Address: 513 W Chicago Ave E, Chicago, IN 46312. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
We serve our community with Our Food Pantry every day from Monday to Thursday, 9:00 to 11:45 am. This is a program that benefits from your donations, the Northwest Indiana Food Bank, the Foundation of East Chicago, and your Salvation Army East Chicago Corps and Community Center. If you are visiting our Food Pantry for the first time, it will be considered as an “emergency case†and you can access to the food we have available that day. However, for future visits, you have to make an appointment and sign up with the front desk. We ask that you schedule your appointments in advance as we try to serve as many people as possible. The Salvation Army East Chicago Corps and Community Center believes in the power of community and love. It is with this in mind and we our focus to love people as Christ loved us, that we serve meals every day to the people in need in out community. Every day, from Monday through Friday we serve food for an average of 80 to 150 people. We focus on serving healthy and nutritious meals for individuals and families. We don’t ask much, just come in, sign in and enjoy some good food. If you come the first Friday of the month, we will actually have fresh vegetables from our own Community Garden while supplies last. Meals are served from noon to 1:00 pm. No reservations are needed and compliments to our chef and volunteers are welcome!
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 398-2939 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Chicago
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Church Food Pantry Locations
We have located 6 Church Food Pantry locations in Merrillville, Indiana. You can also check your eligibility.
Lowell Church of Christ
Phone: (219) 696-7591
Address: 299 N Burr St, Lowell, IN 46356. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our pantry served families in the Tri-Creek school district in Lowell IN. We are open from 10-12 every Monday morning.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 696-7591 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lowell
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 462-8207
Address: 1700 Monticello Park Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our food pantry is open Tuesday and Thursday from 1 pm to 3 pm. No appointment needed, simply walk in and take a number. Photo ID required. Must qualify for State of Indiana Income guidelines. Must be resident of Valparaiso.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 462-8207 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Valparaiso
Help Residents of Counties:
- Porter
Trinity United Church of Christ - Chakula (Food) Ministry's Soup Kitchen
Phone: (219) 944-0500
Address: 1276 W 20th Ave, Gary, IN 46407. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Every Saturday from 1PM - 3PM
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 944-0500 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gary
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 696-9338
Address: 631 W Commercial Ave, Lowell, IN 46356. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Food Pantry serves the people of the Tri-Creek School Corporation which includes Lowell, Shelby and Schneider. The Food Pantry is open the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 9:45 a.m. to noon, and is located at 631 W. Commercial Avenue, Lowell. Proof of residence is required to qualify to be a recipient.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 696-9338 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lowell
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
First Baptist Church of Gary - Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 883-3216
Address: 626 W 21st Ave, Gary, IN 46407. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our Goal is to bring souls to Christ by feeding their body and souls. The First Baptist Food Pantry was formed on March 25, 1983. The first president was Sis. Bonnie Johnson. The First Baptist Food Pantry is totally funded by the church with no outside funding or agency. We are very proud and thankful of the vision of this church, for this ministry. Next year our food pantry will be celebrating 30 (thirty) years of service to this community.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 883-3216 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gary
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
First AME Church Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 886-7561
Address: 2005 Massachusetts St, Gary, IN 46407. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Open to all adults; work each 4th Thursday from 8 a.m.-Noon. in Baber Youth Center; activities include unloading and stocking food, filling grocery bags with food, and distributing the food to families in need.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 886-7561 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gary
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Food Pantry Locations
We have located 13 Food Pantry locations in Merrillville, Indiana. You can also check your eligibility.
Family Christian Center
Phone: (219) 922-6500
Address: 340 45th St, Munster, IN 46321. Get Directions
Listed hours, call to confirm:
- 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
Operation Care program provides food to the residents of northwest Indiana and northeast Illinois.The pantry is open on Monday and Wednesday from 9 AM till 1:30 PM and Friday 9 AM until noon.
For more information contact Operation Care Director - Kathy Scurlock at 219-838-2295 or email kscurlock@fcc4me.com.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 922-6500 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Hebron Country Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 996-7161
Address: 202 W Church St, Hebron, IN 46341. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Hebron Country Food Pantry is open the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 9:00 - 10:00 am and the 3rd Tuesday from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. We are located here in the Hebron United Methodist Church building. You will need to provide proof of residency in Boone Township and your monthly income. Please enter the southeast door closest to the picnic shelter in the park. If there is a Monday holiday, please call the church to check if the pantry will be open that Monday or the following Tuesday.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 996-7161 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hebron
Help Residents of Counties:
- Porter
Portage Township Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 299-6273
Address: 5391 Central Ave, Portage, IN 46368. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Portage Township Food Pantry provides emergency assistance to families in crisis situations and currently serves over 600 families every month. Hours of Operation: Every 1st, 3rd and 4th Friday from 10am to 1pm and the second Thursday from 4pm to 7pm of each month.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 299-6273 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Portage
Help Residents of Counties:
- Porter
Community Fellowship Outreach Ministries - Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 378-1965
Address: 801 E Chicago Ave E, Chicago, IN 46312. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Community Fellowship Outreach Ministries served 5,020 individuals during the year of 2011 through the food pantry food giveaway program.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 378-1965 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Chicago
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Hobart Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 947-7779
Address: 200 S Hobart Rd, Hobart, IN 46342. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our Hobart Food Pantry was founded in 1982. We just celebrated 30 years of service to our community. The Hobart Food Pantry is dedicated to providing for the needs of the people by collecting and distributing food and grocery products, educating the community about hunger, and collaborating with others who address basic human needs. Qualifications: You DO need to be a Hobart resident; You need to come to us with a voucher from the Trustees Office of Hobart - or - proof of Free/Reduced Lunch from your child's school - or -referral from a church. Distribution Hours: Tuesday 9:00am - 10:00am: We serve our senior citizens and households with 3 or less in the family, Thursday 8:30am - 10:00am: We serve all. Everyone needs to bring your personal ID every time you come. You are invited to come every week if you have a need.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 947-7779 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hobart
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
The Gospel Truth Apostolic Ministry Inc. - Food Pantry and Clothing Boutique
Phone: (219) 949-5433
Address: 5829 W 15th Ave, Gary, IN 46406. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Provide food and clothing for needy families within the church family, community or as requested by the church.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 949-5433 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gary
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
CCSJ Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 473-4229
Address: 2400 New York Ave, Quentin P Smith Student Act Whiting, IN 46394. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The mission of th'e CCSJ Food Pantry is to provide supplemental food to CCSJ community members in need and referrals to other food assistance programs or agencies. The food pantry was founded in January of 2013, by the student club G.I.V.E (Get Involved Value Everyone). Student and staff volunteers cleaned, organized, and stocked the pantry during G.I.V.E.’s MLK Day of Service. The pantry was initially stocked with donations from the competitive food drive “Food Fight against Hunger.†Over 400 canned and boxed foods were collected. As of the fall 2014 semester, the CCSJ Food Pantry partnered with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana (FBNWI), making it the first college food pantry in the region. Through FBNWI, the pantry receives fresh produce, meats, poultry, baked goods, canned goods, pasta, and boxed foods. The pantry also provides hygiene products and personal products as they are available. Please note: Fresh items are NOT always available.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 473-4229 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Quentin P Smith Student Act Whiting
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Mizpah Community Center
Phone: (219) 884-4411
Address: 4441 Broadway, Gary, IN 46408. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Community Center is a place that serves all of Gary, IN. It has been involved in giving away food, clothing, furniture, and assistance locally and also helping in disasters around the country.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 884-4411 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gary
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
House of Glory Care Kitchen
Phone: (219) 392-1457
Address: 4009 Fir St E, Chicago, IN 46312. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Serving Free Meals. Serving daily groceries Mon.. Wed., & Fri., from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. Open for prepared meals Second and Fourth Saturday of the month from 12:00 P.M. until 1:30 P.M.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 392-1457 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Chicago
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Greater Hammond Community Services, Inc. - Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 932-4800
Address: 824 Hoffman St, Hammond, IN 46327. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Food Pantry provides a three to five day supply of food to families in need every 30 days. Hammond Food Pantry Hours of Service: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. New clients need to sign in by 2:15 p.m. Hammond Food Pantry Requirements: Must be a resident of the Hammond, Highland, Munster, Griffith or Whiting area; All clients must provide proof of residency.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 932-4800 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hammond
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Light of Life Worship Center - Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 973-1202
Address: 4901 E 28th ave Lk, Station, IN 46405. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our food pantry is located in the basement of Harvest Independent Baptist Church at 4901 E 28th Ave in Lake Station, IN 46405. We service both Porter and Lake county families that are struggling with feeding their households. Hours of operation: Open every other Saturday. Times:11am until 1pm. We require "Proof of Current Address." Regular service is once a month – you will be assigned a week to come (week one, week two, week three or week four) if there is an emergency and you need to be serviced twice in one month, you may be signed in on the emergency sheet.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 973-1202 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Station
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
InnerMission Inc. - Caring Hands Soup Kitchen
Phone: (773) 546-8372
Address: 5670 Sohl Ave, Hammond, IN 46320. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
InnerMission INC. is a nonprofit organization that acts as an umbrella to many different networking programs. Our goal is to raise government funding, grants, corporate sponsorship and support from the private sector for our networking teams. Caring Hands Feeding Program is a program that provides food and fellowship to people in need. Our soup kitchen is open every Saturday for the past 20-plus years and is run by dedicated volunteers. We serve a hearty and hot meal to a diverse group of people (100-120 per week), including the homeless, unemployed, working poor, public assistance recipients, elderly and many with health problems and disabilities. Every morsel of food is made with love.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (773) 546-8372 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hammond
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lake
Hilltop Village Food Pantry
Phone: (219) 531-1991
Address: 554 Locust St, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Hilltop’s Village Food Pantry has been in operation since 1996 and has used the inside of four different locations as its home over the years. The Village Food Pantry is a neighborhood food pantry that serves approximately 400 individuals every month, year round. In July of 2012, we hit a record high of serving 1,100 individuals! At holidays, food baskets are prepared for needy families to provide meals for family gatherings. Coat drives provide warm clothing during the cold winter months. School supplies and vouchers for new shoes are provided in September for children going back to school. Hours of Operation: Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (219) 531-1991 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Valparaiso
Help Residents of Counties:
- Porter
A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Merrillville, 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 offers free food help through local centers. Contact the branch nearest Merrillville, Indiana to confirm hours and requirements. 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.
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Merrillville, Indiana have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.
Church pantries often rely on food donations gathered through food drives.
Some churches also deliver food items to older adults who are unable to drive to a nearby community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
Resources provided by Catholic Charities organizations can include help with food, holiday, and immigration needs.
Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charities centers for help.
Catholic Charities locations in and around Merrillville, Indiana may offer groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal. Hours and walk-in rules vary, so call before you go.
Some of these food pantries work like grocery stores, letting clients choose the items they need from the groceries available on site.
First-time clients may need to fill out a short application with basic household information.
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Some independent food pantries use the Helping Hands name. Any Helping Hands pantries we have listed around Merrillville, Indiana appear on this page.
Food supplies, hours, and services differ from one pantry to the next, so call before you go.
These pantries often rely on donations and volunteers from their local communities.
Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.
Mobile Food Pantry
Mobile food pantries bring free food directly to families in need in communities around Merrillville, Indiana, often during large one-day distributions.
Some mobile pantries hand out pre-packed boxes, while others let you shop market-style.
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 2026
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 pantries often 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.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
Some St. Vincent de Paul food pantries around Merrillville, Indiana may operate much like a grocery store, where people in need can choose their own food.
Services vary by location, so call the pantry near you to ask what is available.
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Some food banks run delivery programs that bring food and other products to partner agencies in more remote areas. Ask a food pantry around Merrillville, Indiana whether delivery is available near you.
Drive-thru Food Pantries
Drive-thru food pantries are a convenient and efficient way to distribute food to neighbors in need. Many are open to anyone who needs help with food, but rules vary by location, so call ahead if you can.
Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?
Drive-thru pantries are generally open to anyone who needs help getting food. Requirements vary, so check with the pantry before you go.
You may be asked to provide:
- Your zip code, and
- Number of people in your household.
You usually do not need an appointment. Drive-thru pantries are generally first-come, first-served, so plan to arrive early because lines can fill quickly and popular items may run out.
How do drive-thru pantries work?
Volunteers and staff manage the distribution line. Here is how most drive-thru pantries operate:
Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the distribution area.
Visitors pull up in their car and are guided into a clearly marked queue. Staff move cars forward to keep the line moving quickly.
Check-in.
You may be asked about your zip code, household size or income for the pantry's records.
Food is loaded into your car.
Pre-packed bags of food — typically including shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit, and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats — are loaded by volunteers directly into your trunk.
Pet Food Pantry
Some pet owners give up their pets because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet food pantries help fill a gap left by assistance programs such as SNAP, which cannot be used to buy pet food.
Pet food pantries may provide free pet food for a limited time to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in Merrillville, Indiana.
Who is eligible for a pet food pantry?
Rules vary by pantry, but many help 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.
Some 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.
This is often a 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, Infants, and 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?
Food pantries typically provide shelf-stable items such as:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to a food pantry?
Rules vary by food pantry. Many ask only that you say you need help, while others may ask for ID, proof of address, income information, or a referral. Call ahead to find out what to bring.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry often provides food packages meant to last a few days 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 food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Those organizations then provide this food directly to families in need.