A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City, Kansas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Kansas City, KS Harding House (Veterans)
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Food & Nutrition
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Transitional Housing
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (913) 342-2173 to book your appointment.
Address :
6723 State Ave,
Kansas City, KS 66102.
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The Salvation Army - Kansas City, KS Booth Manor
Services provided :
- Nutrition Programs
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- Senior Citizens Residences
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (913) 299-4822 to book your appointment.
Address :
1331 N 75th Pl,
Kansas City, KS 66112.
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- Wyandotte
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Kansas City, Kansas 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 1 Church Food Pantry locations in Kansas City, Kansas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Central Church of the Nazarene - The Lord’s Pantry
The Lord’s Pantry is open every Wednesday and Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. No appointment required. Enter through the West doors of Central Church (12600 W. 87th St. Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas 66215). Johnson County photo ID is required. The food pantry serves as a temporary means of obtaining groceries up to 6 visits per year.
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 (913) 541-2600 to book your appointment.
Address :
12600 W 87th st Pkwy,
Lenexa, KS 66215.
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- Lenexa
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- Johnson
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 Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City, Kansas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas - Emergency Assistance Center (Wyandotte County)
Since 1974, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ Emergency Assistance Program has played a significant role in the community’s safety net for people of all faiths. Services provided meet the immediate, basic survival needs of families with low incomes while staff members also help clients identify long-term solutions that lead to self-sufficiency.The program’s goal is to ensure families' and individuals' basic needs are met - having enough food to prevent going to bed hungry; rent money to avoid eviction and homelessness; water to bathe in or prepare food; electricity to run a refrigerator and lights; and gas to heat their homes and cook. The Program operates at the organization’s Emergency Assistance Centers. All centers are located in fully accessible buildings where clients may walk-in or make an appointment. Some services are available in Lawrence. There are no fees for services 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 (913) 621-1504 to book your appointment.
Address :
2220 Central Ave,
Kansas City, KS 66102.
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- Kansas City
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- Wyandotte
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City, Kansas 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 Kansas City, Kansas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Cross-Lines Community Outreach, Inc. - Hunger Relief
Hunger Relief addresses the immediate need to feed the hungry while attacking the long-term impact of malnutrition. Cross-Lines distributes approximately one million pounds of food each year through: Breakfasts served Monday through Friday at the Community Annex; Hot lunch provided Monday through Friday by various churches and individuals at the Cross-Lines Community Annex; Food pantry provides free groceries to qualified participants in emergency situations; Monthly commodity distribution provides groceries to the elderly and homebound 60 and older that meet eligibility requirements; Brown bag lunches provided for clients to take to work; Our Community Garden provides fresh vegetables which are an essential part of a healthy diet often missing from the tables of families living in poverty. Food grown in the Cross-Lines' garden is used in the free breakfast and lunch programs and it is distributed at the Cross-Lines Food Pantry during the growing season. Produce is also available for the community to purchase at low-cost.
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 (913) 281-3388 to book your appointment.
Address :
736 Shawnee Ave,
Kansas City, KS 66105.
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- Kansas City
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- Wyandotte
The Neighborhood Pantry at St. Paul’s
While operating as part of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the pantry is a ministry of the wider Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Kansas. It is the result of the efforts of many diverse people from many faith traditions united in response to God's invitation to make God's love known to all people †an incarnate reality in our inner city neighborhood.
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 (913) 321-8674 to book your appointment.
Address :
1300 N 18th St,
Kansas City, KS 66102.
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- Kansas City
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- Wyandotte
Central Ave Center Of Hope, Inc.
The Central Avenue Center of Hope is a local agency housed in a converted gymnasium, near downtown Kansas City, Kansas in Wyandotte County, staffed by one full-time employee and many volunteers. The community served consists of many homeless, unemployed or under-employed, low-income individuals and families. Many of our clients face the difficulties of medical conditions, emotional problems, or broken or harmful family relationships. Some are veterans who have not transitioned into mainstream society. Others have become victim to economic or health reversals. Yet others have lost homes and means of support due to substance abuse and/or the stigma of prison records. School-age children lack appropriate clothing and school supplies in order to go to school. The needs of the people of this community are seasonal for some and on a daily basis for others. To fill community needs Central Avenue Center of Hope provides help in several ways. Serves lunch-time meals each week day. Special meals served on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Distributes blankets, coats, and food. Offers a place to rest from the streets during the day. Hot showers and personal item kits consisting of soap, shampoo, a razor, comb, and other donated toiletries. Families depend on the food pantry for distribution of food, school supplies, and distribution of State of Kansas Commodities. The thrift store offers a place to purchase inexpensive clothing, furniture, household items, and toys. Referrals are given for clients who need specialized care or services such as VA Benefits.
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 (913) 233-2511 to book your appointment.
Address :
11 N 15th St,
Kansas City, KS 66102.
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- Kansas City
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- Wyandotte
Vaughn-Trent Community Services, Inc.
Vaughn-Trent Community Services, Inc. is a social services agency that serves residents of USD #204 (Bonner Springs & Edwardsville). We were incorporated in 1989, but we can trace our roots back to 1965. The agency is named in honor of the late Marion Vaughn, mayor and civic leader (Bonner Springs, KS) and the late Lindy Trent, mayor and civic leader (Edwardsville, KS). We provide emergency assistance to those who live in our school district and meet our income guidelines. Our main services are: Free breads and pastries Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am-noon, Food pantries, Utility assistance, Christmas baskets the middle of December
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 (913) 441-0461 to book your appointment.
Address :
300 Oak St Ste B,
Bonner Springs, KS 66012.
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- Bonner Springs
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- Wyandotte
Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Kansas City - Soup Kitchen
A monthly (last Monday of the month) event to feed the less fortunate.
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 (913) 491-1969 to book your appointment.
Address :
6330 Lackman Rd,
Shawnee, KS 66217.
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- Shawnee
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- Johnson
Shawnee Community Services
Shawnee Community Services is a local food pantry and free clothing resource, serving the entire KC metro since 1982. We are a non-governmental organization whose primary support comes from the resale of donated goods along with cash donations from local service clubs, churches, businesses and individuals. It operates with three full time paid staff plus a legion of volunteers that support the organization in many and various ways. It is a highly effective organization directly delivering services to the less fortunate in a most cost effective and timely basis. Shawnee Community Services is truly a “home mission.†Persons seeking food needs, please call 913-268-7746 for more information. Pantry boxes are available by appointment. Free bread is available Monday thru Friday from 8am until 5pm and Saturday 8am until 4pm.
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 (913) 268-7746 to book your appointment.
Address :
11110 W 67th St,
Shawnee, KS 66203.
Get Directions
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- Shawnee
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- Johnson
Bethel Neighborhood Center
Bethel Neighborhood Center has been serving downtown Kansas City, Kansas for over 100 years. Bethel was originally founded to serve underprivileged immigrants that worked in the meat packing plants of the West Bottoms. To this day Bethel continues to work with various races and nationalities as we continue to bridge the multiple ethnic and economic boundaries that are present in our community. ​Our food pantry is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday,from 9am - 2:30pm, Wednesdays we are open 9am-12pm to any Wyandotte County resident. We offer a variety of canned goods, rice and other basic food items. We also provide diapers, baby food, and baby wipes to needy mothers in our 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 (913) 371-8218 to book your appointment.
Address :
14 S 7th St,
Kansas City, KS 66101.
Get Directions
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- Kansas City
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- Wyandotte
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 Kansas City, Kansas
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.