A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Ankeny, Iowa 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 Ankeny, Iowa 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 4 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Ankeny, Iowa which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Des Moines, IA: City Administrative Office
Services provided :
- Disaster Services
- Food & Nutrition Programs
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (515) 282-3599 to book your appointment.
Address :
520 35th St,
Des Moines, IA 50312.
Get Directions
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The Salvation Army - Des Moines, IA: Citadel Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Adult Rehabilitation Center
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food Pantry
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Pathway of Hope
- Residential Camping Activities
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- Store
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- 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 (515) 266-3156 to book your appointment.
Address :
1216 E 25th Ct,
Des Moines, IA 50317.
Get Directions
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The Salvation Army - Des Moines, IA: Temple Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Pathway of Hope
- 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 (515) 282-3227 to book your appointment.
Address :
1326 6th Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50314.
Get Directions
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The Salvation Army - Bellaire Corps
Services provided :
- Character Building Programs
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal 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 ph(740) 676-6225fx(740) 676-2292 to book your appointment.
Address :
315 37th St,
Des Moines, IA 50312.
Get Directions
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Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Ankeny, Iowa 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 3 Church Food Pantry locations in Ankeny, Iowa which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Amazing Grace Ministries & Outreach Church - Emergency Food & Clothing Pantry
The Emergency Food Pantry is available to you once every 30 days as needed. Open Saturdays from 11:00 am - 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 (515) 277-9062 to book your appointment.
Address :
1903 53rd St,
Des Moines, IA 50310.
Get Directions
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Eastside Church of the Nazarene - Mercy Ministry Food Pantry
Eastside Church of the Nazarene is reaching out to those in our nearby community who are facing a food emergency. In order to effectively help many families and individuals in need of food assistance, the Church Board has adopted the following policy and procedures. 1. People who are currently living in the 50316 or 50317 zip code areas may receive assistance for emergency food. Food Pantry assistance is available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings only. 2. Assistance is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. There will be NO WALK INS. You must call the church office, 265-6000, at 9:00 AM on Food Pantry days to make an appointment. Calls received for the Food Pantry on the answering machine will not be returned. 3. We are able to assist a limited number of families each Tuesday or Thursday. If our appointments fill up, you may be asked to call back on the next Food Pantry day. All appointments are made on a first call, first served basis. 4. Some personal information will be requested during the phone call. Food boxes will be prepared according to the information given. Each box will contain a variety of food items to cover meals for approximately 3-4 days. Some non-food items may be available as we have the opportunity to purchase them. 5. Please limit your requests for assistance to once every 90 days (3 months). The congregation of this church provides the funding for the food and wants to serve those who have a need. The Food Pantry cannot be used as a regular food source. 6. When you arrive for your appointment we will require you to have with you a photo ID of yourself and a proof of residence (your recent utility bill or other business mail with your name and address). Identification of the members of your household should also be provided.
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 (515) 265-6000 to book your appointment.
Address :
1451 E 25th St,
Des Moines, IA 50317.
Get Directions
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- Des Moines
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House of Faith - Church Pantry
We offer a food pantry for those who attend House of Faith. FREE groceries, personal hygiene and various household items are offered to families after service on their designated Sunday. The church store is open on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, immediately following service. A schedule is posted in the church that lists all church families and their day to “shopâ€.
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 (515) 255-9940 to book your appointment.
Address :
4435 Ne 29th St,
Des Moines, IA 50317.
Get Directions
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- Des Moines
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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 Ankeny, Iowa 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 1 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Ankeny, Iowa which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Catholic Charities St. Mary Family Center
Catholic Charities' St. Mary Family Center distributes more than 8500 food boxes each year to an average of 600 families each month. In addition to emergency food boxes, St. Mary Family Center offers perishable food items, clothing and infant items. Daily traffic at the center has grown from an average of 100-200 people to 200-400 people each day. Services include: Emergency food boxes for families in need - The emergency food box contains a four day supply of non-perishable food items. A family may receive an emergency food box one time per calendar month. Because there are several food pantry sites in and around Des Moines, St. Mary’s food boxes are limited to those who live in Des Moines. Bread is available every day for families in need. Families may take up to two loaves per day per household. Anyone, regardless of their address, is free to come any day for bread products. Diapers & Infant Formula - Diapers and infant formula is available following the same guidelines as food boxes. Free clothing closet available to anyone, regardless of their address. All clothing is donated, so available sizes vary from week to week. Ever wonder where your church/business’ food drives go or your donations to the Red Barrels in the grocery stores? St. Mary Family Center is one of the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s (DMARC) food pantry sites and receives ninety percent of its food supplies from the DMARC food pantry. We also purchase food at a discounted rate from the Food Bank of Iowa as well as receive donations from local businesses and community groups. St. Mary Family Center serves the Capitol East neighborhood, which is defined by the Child and Family Policy Center as one of the “pockets†of poverty in the Des Moines area, with a poverty rate of 46.6%. Due to the need in the near East side of Des Moines, St. Mary Family Center has 300-400 individuals walk through their door each day, seeking food and clothing.
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 (515) 262-7290 to book your appointment.
Address :
1815 Hubbell Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50316.
Get Directions
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- Des Moines
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- Polk
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Ankeny, Iowa 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 Ankeny, Iowa 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 Ankeny, Iowa 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 Ankeny, 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 Ankeny, Iowa 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 Ankeny, Iowa which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Des Moines, Iowa - Food Pantry
The Des Moines council’s food pantry, located on the second floor of 1426 Sixth Ave., Des Moines, operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. It is open to anyone who needs food for themselves or family. The food pantry also strives to stock diapers, health and hygiene products for those in need, but these items are not always in stock. People seeking food pantry assistance can schedule an appointment in person at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. (Individuals are strongly encouraged to arrive by 7:50 a.m. to ensure their place in line.) Social services staff will schedule an appointment for later that same day. Those who would need to receive food during one of the two evening food pantries are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling 282-8328 and asking for the Social Services Department. However, the food pantry is also available without an appointment between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to those facing an emergency. Those individuals may seek help in person by coming to 1426 Sixth Ave., and asking to speak to the Social services staff.
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 (515) 282-8328 to book your appointment.
Address :
1426 Sixth Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50314.
Get Directions
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- Des Moines
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- Polk
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Ankeny, Iowa area. This makes it just a bit easier for some of more remote rural agencies to receive their products. About 70% of members take advantage of the Food Pantry Delivery Program.
Food Pantry
We have located 9 Food Pantry locations in Ankeny, Iowa which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Caring Hands Outreach Center Inc.
The mission of Caring Hands Outreach Center is to provide a helping hand, within a caring Christian environment, to people in need in our communities. Caring Hands began in 2003 as a unique collaboration of church and community leaders seeking to respond to the needs of people in the Southeast Polk area. We provide people with the material and spiritual resources that give them the strength to keep trying. The Food Pantry assists Southeast Polk residents with food and limited help with utilities or rent. The Food Pantry is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 9 to 11 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 (515) 967-4533 to book your appointment.
Address :
201 9th St Ne,
Altoona, IA 50009.
Get Directions
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Grimes Community Food Pantry
The Grimes Community Food Pantry provides for 40 to 50 families (140 - 175 individuals) once a month. Not all items listed are available to be purchased from the Iowa Food Bank and we depend on the communities donations to supplement these items. The Food Pantry is open for appointments from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday. Please call the church office at 515-986-4036 in order to schedule an appointment. In order to receive help from the food pantry you must be a current resident of Grimes and proof of address is required.
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 (515) 986-4036 to book your appointment.
Address :
801 W 1st St,
Grimes, IA 50111.
Get Directions
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Huxley Food Pantry
Open Wednesday evenings 6:00 -7:00 pm. Located in the Ark (the brick house directly south of the church building.)
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 (515) 597-2831 to book your appointment.
Address :
209 N 2nd Ave,
Huxley, IA 50124.
Get Directions
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- Story
Johnston Partnership - DMARC Food Pantry (Johnston Food Pantry)
A DMARC Food Pantry is open to eligible families and community members in Johnston and the Johnston School District Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm and Saturdays from 10am-2pm at Partnership Place 5870 Merle Hay Road, Suite D, Johnston. The Johnston Food Pantry offers to residents of the Johnston School District: Pre-sorted, nutritionally-balanced, 4-day supply of food based on family size, once per calendar month; Personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, sanitary napkins, diapers and laundry soap, once per calendar month; Bread items (when available), daily; Fresh produce - weekly during the growing season and monthly with food boxes during the non-growing season.
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 (515) 868-1357 to book your appointment.
Address :
5870 Merle Hay Rd Ste D,
Johnston, IA 50131.
Get Directions
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Central Iowa Shelter & Services - Clothing Closet and Food Pantry
Central Iowa Shelter & Services clothing closet and food pantry hours: Monday 10am-2pm, Tuesday 10am-2pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm, Wednesday 10am-2pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm, Thursday 9am-2pm and 5:30pm- 7:30pm, Friday 10am-2pm. The closet has clothes for adult men and women of all sizes as well as shoes, coats, hats, gloves and other warm clothes. The clothing closet is one of the newest additions to Central Iowa Shelter & Services additional supportive services to the community. The clothing closet is open to anyone in the community in need of clothes. The food pantry is supported by DMARC. Individuals can access the food pantry once every thirty days for each member of their family.
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 (515) 284-5719 to book your appointment.
Address :
1420 Mulberry St,
Des Moines, IA 50309.
Get Directions
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- Des Moines
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- Polk
Creative Visions - The Food Pantry
Creative Visions Human Development Institute, Inc has partnered with the Iowa Food Bank, a member of the nation’s food bank network. Our Tuesday and Thursday Food Pantry donates a box (about 40 lbs) of various healthful food items to approximately 25 qualifying families weekly. The need is growing as many call each week who have never found themselves in need of a pantry before.
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 (515) 244-4003 to book your appointment.
Address :
1343 13th St,
Des Moines, IA 50314.
Get Directions
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- Des Moines
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- Polk
CROSS Ministries - Cottage Grove Food Pantry
CROSS is an alternative hours food pantry for those who are unable to access other food pantries, therefore, there are no geographical boundaries for the CROSS pantry. Hours of Operation: Wednesdays 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; Saturdays 9:00 AM 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 (515) 279-8877 to book your appointment.
Address :
1050 24th St,
Des Moines, IA 50311.
Get Directions
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- Des Moines
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- Polk
St. Theresa Food Pantry
St. Theresa Parish has an emergency food pantry that is open to the public. PANTRY HOURS: Monday, Tuesday Wednesday: 10am - 2pm. St. Theresa Food Pantry is a Food Bank of Iowa member agency.
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 (515) 279-4654 to book your appointment.
Address :
1230 Merle Hay Rd,
Des Moines, IA 50311.
Get Directions
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- Des Moines
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- Polk
Urbandale Food Pantry
The Urbandale Food Pantry is a collaborative community effort to reach out to our neighbors to provide food assistance with dignity and compassion. Since the Pantry opened in 2008, the average number of families served per month has steadily grown. Hours of Operation: Monday: 10am–6:30pm, Wednesday & Thursday: 10am–2pm. What You Need to Bring: a picture I.D. for the head of household; I.D.s for each member of the family requiring assistance; a current piece of mail (utility or telephone bill) that includes the name and current address of the resident.
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 (515) 251-6688 to book your appointment.
Address :
34/3 5,
Urbandale, IA 50322.
Get Directions
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- Polk
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 Ankeny, Iowa
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.