The Abundance of Love Food Pantry is a ministry of The Alliance Church of Cedar Rapids. As believers in Jesus, we believe our mission is to allow Jesus to live His life through us in the world today. God has told us in His Word, "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (John 3: 17 - 18). In these difficult times, we recognized that there are great needs in our community that often go unnoticed and unmet. We are here to be part of the solution in helping to meet these needs, rather than turning a blind eye. While we can't meet every need, one need we can help with is food - providing quality food periodically to enable people to eat well. In the Abundance of Love Food Pantry, our desire is to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people in our community and demonstrate the love of Jesus for them. Anyone who has a need for food is welcome to visit our food pantry. However, we recognize that it can be a very humbling experience, and even demeaning at times, for people to visit a food pantry. We desire to let people know who choose to visit the Abundance of Love food pantry that they are valued as individuals and their dignity upheld. Therefore, we have no assistance requirements for anyone who visits Abundance of Love. Anyone who feels that they have a need for food assistance will receive assistance. No questions asked. No degrading looks. No judgmental attitudes. Just a helping hand with a compassionate heart.
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 (319) 393-4606 to book your appointment.
Address :
1622 42nd St N,
E Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- E Cedar Rapids
Help Residents of Counties:
- Linn
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (319) 393-4606 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
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.