Food Pantry in Portage, Indiana

A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Portage, 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 Portage, 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 2 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Portage, Indiana which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

The Salvation Army - Gary-Merrillville Corps Community Center

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 887-6588 to book your appointment.

Address :

4800 Harrison St,
Gary, IN 46408.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Counties:

  • Lake

The Salvation Army - Porter County, IN Corps

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 762-9191 to book your appointment.

Address :

799 Capitol Rd,
Valparaiso, IN 46385.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Counties:

  • Porter

Church Food Pantry

A number of churches around Portage, 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 4 Church Food Pantry locations in Portage, Indiana which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

First AME Church Food Pantry

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 886-7561 to book your appointment.

Address :

2005 Massachusetts St,
Gary, IN 46407.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Gary

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Lake

Immanuel Lutheran Church - Food Pantry

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 462-8207 to book your appointment.

Address :

1700 Monticello Park Dr,
Valparaiso, IN 46383.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Valparaiso

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Porter

Trinity United Church of Christ - Chakula (Food) Ministry's Soup Kitchen

Every Saturday from 1PM - 3PM

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 (219) 944-0500 to book your appointment.

Address :

1276 W 20th Ave,
Gary, IN 46407.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Gary

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Lake

First Baptist Church of Gary - Food Pantry

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 883-3216 to book your appointment.

Address :

626 W 21st Ave,
Gary, IN 46407.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Gary

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Lake

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 Portage, 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 Portage, 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 Portage, 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 Portage, 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 Portage, 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 Portage, 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 Portage, 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 Portage, 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 Portage, 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 8 Food Pantry locations in Portage, Indiana which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Hebron Country Food Pantry

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 996-7161 to book your appointment.

Address :

202 W Church St,
Hebron, IN 46341.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Hebron

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Porter

Mizpah Community Center

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 884-4411 to book your appointment.

Address :

4441 Broadway,
Gary, IN 46408.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Gary

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Lake

Greater Hammond Community Services, Inc. - Food Pantry

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 932-4800 to book your appointment.

Address :

824 Hoffman St,
Hammond, IN 46327.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Hammond

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Lake

Portage Township Food Pantry

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 299-6273 to book your appointment.

Address :

5391 Central Ave,
Portage, IN 46368.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Portage

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Porter

The Gospel Truth Apostolic Ministry Inc. - Food Pantry and Clothing Boutique

Provide food and clothing for needy families within the church family, community or as requested by the church.

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 (219) 949-5433 to book your appointment.

Address :

5829 W 15th Ave,
Gary, IN 46406.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Gary

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Lake

InnerMission Inc. - Caring Hands Soup Kitchen

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (773) 546-8372 to book your appointment.

Address :

5670 Sohl Ave,
Hammond, IN 46320.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Hammond

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Lake

Hobart Food Pantry

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 947-7779 to book your appointment.

Address :

200 S Hobart Rd,
Hobart, IN 46342.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Hobart

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Lake

Hilltop Village Food Pantry

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 :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (219) 531-1991 to book your appointment.

Address :

554 Locust St,
Valparaiso, IN 46383.
Get Directions

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Valparaiso

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Porter

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 Portage, 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.