A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, 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 1 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in St. Joseph, 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.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- St Joseph
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around St. Joseph, 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 8 Church Food Pantry locations in St. Joseph, Indiana which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Lakeville United Methodist Church - Food Pantry
Food Pantry: Open to Lakeville and LaPaz residents every Thursday, 2:30 to 5:30 PM. Bring photo ID
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) 784-8215 to book your appointment.
Address :
610 N Michigan St,
Lakeville, IN 46536.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lakeville
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
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
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Mishawaka
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
Church Lady And Friends Outreach Ministries Bread of Life Free Food Kitchen
Hunger is not limited to the young or old. Last year we provided over 18,200 meals to people in St. Joseph County. Hours: Tues 4 pm - 5:30 pm, Wed-Sat 11:30 am - 1 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) 387-4805 to book your appointment.
Address :
2406 Mishawaka Ave S,
Bend, IN 46615.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
Faith Baptist Church Food Pantry
The Faith Baptist Church Food Pantry was dedicated on January 18, 2004. It is a joint venture with Grace Baptist Church of Granger, Indiana. On the one anniversary of the Food Pantry, we celebrate the disbursement of over 500 boxes of non-perishable food items to needy families. The Faith Baptist Church Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 3:00PM to 5:00PM. Recipients must bring a picture ID and 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 (574) 233-6428 to book your appointment.
Address :
925 Blaine Ave S,
Bend, IN 46616.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
First United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Our food pantry recently received the Northern Indiana Food Bank Award for Excellence and servers hundreds of people every week (Tuesdays from 10:00 to 2:00, and the first and third Saturdays from 9:00 to noon.)
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) 233-9463 to book your appointment.
Address :
333 N Main St S,
Bend, IN 46601.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church - Feed the Need Pantry
The Feed the Need Pantry is not only to provide food (for families in need) for the body, but our mission is to also spiritually feed the soul. Greater St. John MBC will provide food, informational literature, spiritual readings, as well as provide other assistance as deemed necessary for the community. Open Wednesdays 10:00 am - 11:15 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) 232-6700 to book your appointment.
Address :
101 N Adams St S,
Bend, IN 46628.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
River Park United Methodist Church Food Pantry
The River Park UMC Food Pantry serves individuals living in the 46615 areas of South Bend. In the past year we served 1350 families (over 4000 individuals). The food pantry gratefully accepts donations of food and money. Open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10:00 am till noon.
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) 288-6243 to book your appointment.
Address :
920 S 23rd St S,
Bend, IN 46615.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
West Side Church of Christ - 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) 234-3866 to book your appointment.
Address :
22987 W Edison Rd S,
Bend, IN 46628.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
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 St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, 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 St. Joseph, 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 1 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in St. Joseph, Indiana which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph County - Client Choice Food Pantry
Our doors are open every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10AM-2PM. Come into our dining room, we'll have coffee and donuts ready for you to snack until it's your chance to take a shopping cart through our pantry to find the items your family needs. If you are in need of food, please do not hesitate to call the Emergency Assistance Office at 234-6000, Opt 3. We are here to help. Our well-stocked Client Choice Food Pantry helps our Vincentians bring food to those in need all over St. Joseph County and Elkhart. The items on our shelves come from the generosity of many people and organizations within the community. The food pantry is located at the St. Vincent de Paul Center in downtown South Bend. Primarily, we help those in need through the SVdP conferences throughout the city/county. For those not served by one of our conferences, we do serve individual clients at this pantry. For service, we require a photo ID and a proof of current address.
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) 234-6000 to book your appointment.
Address :
520 Crescent Ave S,
Bend, IN 46617.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around St. Joseph, 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 7 Food Pantry locations in St. Joseph, Indiana which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
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
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Mishawaka
Help Residents of Counties:
- 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
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Mishawaka
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
Broadway Christian Parish UMC - Community Food Pantry
Community residents have access to a variety of foods through the Broadway Food Pantry. Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. The food pantry serves everyone once a month. You must arrive and be signed in by 10:30 a.m. Please bring a photo ID and a piece of mail addressed to you that matches the ID. Over 3,000 people per year are aided by this ministry, which is supported by the Broadway congregation and other churches and groups.
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) 289-0333 to book your appointment.
Address :
1412 S Carroll St S,
Bend, IN 46613.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
KPC Food Pantry
The KPC food pantry is a partnership with the Northern Indiana Food Bank (NIFB). We desire to be able to help families who have food needs in our community. At this time, food is distributed to families on an as-needed basis.
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) 233-7901 to book your appointment.
Address :
1003 W Bryan St S,
Bend, IN 46616.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
South Bend Food Pantry
Wednesdays 10 a.m.–12 p.m., 5–7 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) 234-3111 to book your appointment.
Address :
1817 Miami St S,
Bend, IN 46613.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
St. Margaret's House
St. Margaret's House improves the lives of women and children by providing individual attention to their immediate needs, breaking the bonds of isolation and helping them acquire skills to better their lives. Through a philosophy of shared ownership in St. Margaret's House, guests become empowered by participating in planning and decision making. Meals: A hot, nutritious lunch served everyday at noon and a continental breakfast from 10-11 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) 234-7795 to book your appointment.
Address :
117 N Lafayette Blvd S,
Bend, IN 46601.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
The StoreHouse
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) 289-3150 to book your appointment.
Address :
2221 S Ironwood Dr S,
Bend, IN 46613.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bend
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Joseph
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 St. Joseph, 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.