A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, Maine 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 3 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Sanford, Maine which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Sanford, Maine Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Aid to Families
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Missing Persons
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- 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 (207) 324-3134 to book your appointment.
Address :
871 Main St,
Sanford, ME 04073.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
The Salvation Army - Outta The box Elisa White
Services provided :
- Salvation Army Family Store
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (800) 728-7825 to book your appointment.
Address :
8 York St,
Kennebunk, ME 04043.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
The Salvation Army - Old Orchard Beach, Maine Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Adult Day Care
- Alcohol and Drug Treatment
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Nutrition Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- Transitional Care & Work Release
- Visitation 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 (207) 934-4381 to book your appointment.
Address :
2 6th St,
Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, Maine which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Hollis Center Baptist Church Food Pantry
PURPOSE: “We help people's physical needs so that we might have an opportunity to meet their spiritual needsâ€. We continue as a church to be blessed to have the privilege of meeting the need of so many families in the Hollis community through the ministry of the Food Pantry. We praise the Lord, that through the written spiritual material that is placed in the food bags and the interaction of ministry servants, the love of the Lord is shared with so many families. Food pantry is open from 10 - 11 every Tuesday and Thursday.
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 to book your appointment.
Address :
388 Hollis Rd,
Hollis Center, ME 04042.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hollis Center
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
St. Matthew Church Food Pantry
Tonight, one out of five children will go to bed hungry because their parents can’t afford to buy food, and pay rent, taxes, utilities and other monthly debts. Annually we prepare Thanksgiving and Easter baskets for the needy. The Food Pantry appreciates donations of non-perishables in order to prepare for this effort. Our Food Pantry is able to purchase $100 worth of food for $20.00. We have the ability to buy, but we also need the funds. Money donations will be greatly appreciated. Have you heard of “St. Anthony’s Bread?†The more we give in his name, the greater our return.
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 (207) 793-2244 to book your appointment.
Address :
19 Dora Ln,
Limerick, ME 04048.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Limerick
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
Free Community Meals at Curtis Lake Church
Every Monday and Wednesday evening, we serve a freshly-prepared, nutritious meal in our multi-purpose room. Many families join us because the free meals help them make ends meet, while others drop by for dinner with other people. Of course, we know plenty of folks who come because the food is great! Our doors open at 4:45PM and table service begins at 5:00PM. The meal wraps up by 5:45 so we can clean and prepare the room for other events. The Monday evening menus vary weekly, while the Wednesday evening menu generally features a pasta main course. Our free community meals are made possible by the generosity of donors to our Benevolence Fund and by our partnership with Good Shepherd Food Bank.
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 (207) 324-0652 to book your appointment.
Address :
38 Westview Dr,
Sanford, ME 04073.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Sanford
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
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 Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, 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 Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, Maine 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 Sanford, Maine which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
House of Hope
House of Hope is strategically situated between two under-served communities - Somersworth, NH and Berwick, ME. The ministry operates a fully functional soup kitchen, food pantry and transitional house for men with the intent of growing into a deeper and broader scope as opportunity presents.
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 (207) 698-9944 to book your appointment.
Address :
6 Sullivan Sq,
Berwick, ME 03901.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Berwick
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
FootPrints Food Pantry
Footprints Food Pantry, Inc. is a non-profit (501(c) 3) organization run by volunteers. Our monies are raised by donations, grants, memorial gifts, and money jars at area businesses. We receive food from the annual letter carriers food drives, the Cub Scouts food drive, school events, York County Food Rescue, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Operation Blessing, local supermarkets, businesses, churches, organizations and town residents. We strive to make Footprints a friendly place to help ease the feelings of people having to ask for help. Every week we give each family enough food to last four days. We also supply, when available, such items as toothpaste and tooth brushes, laundry and dish soap, bathroom bar soap and personal items such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, and cat and dog food. Open: Wednesday, 9:30am to 2pm; Thursday 6:00pm to 7:30pm by appointment only.
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 (207) 439-4673 to book your appointment.
Address :
37 Old Post Rd,
Kittery, ME 03904.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Kittery
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
North Berwick Food Pantry
Our Mission is to provide nutritious food and essential non-food items for those in need residing in North Berwick and Lebanon, Maine. We promise to offer our services with love, respect and in a confidential mannpantrySmaller because we are a people of Christ with a Message of Hope. And it is our hope that those who receive these goods and services will be strengthened in body and spirit. Days and hours of operation: Mondays 4-6 pm (except holidays).
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 (207) 676-3332 to book your appointment.
Address :
285 Maple St N,
Berwick, ME 03906.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Berwick
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
YCSA Food Pantry
Purpose: To feed people in need and to help by recommending Town of York General Assistance office services available as needed. Who Qualifies: Applicants must meet Maine standards for low income support. Operation: We are open on a walk-in basis to clients from 12:30pm to 3pm and 5pm to 7pm on Thursdays for food distribution. Those clients who cannot come at this time can be serviced after hours if necessary by contacting the Town of York General Assistance office, one of the local churches, or by calling the food pantry manager. Accommodations can be made for delivery of food to shut-ins. Donations are accepted when we are open and Thursday mornings from 8 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. or by calling the food pantry at 351-1928. Please let us know if you would like us to pick up donations at your facility. Thank you for your support!
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 (207) 351-1928 to book your appointment.
Address :
38 Woodbridge Rd,
York, ME 03909.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- York
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
Biddeford Food Pantry
Since 1981 the Biddeford Food Pantry has been focused on helping the citizens of Biddeford, Maine in the fight against hunger. We treat each client with respect and dignity. No matter the circumstances we are here to help! Hours of operation: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 11:00 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 (207) 282-4771 to book your appointment.
Address :
162 Elm St,
Biddeford, ME 04005.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Biddeford
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
Bon Appetit Community Meal Program
Bon Appetit serves evening meals at the Second Congregational Church on 19 Crescent Street in Biddeford, Maine. Our neighbors who are dealing with food insecurity are welcome to join us for a meal Monday through Friday starting at 4:40 p.m. Our funding comes from the generous donations from our community friends.
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 (207) 229-0995 to book your appointment.
Address :
19 Crescent St,
Biddeford, ME 04005.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Biddeford
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
LOPC Food Pantry
Limington OP Church has a food pantry that is open to any Limington resident who is struggling to put food on the table. We want to be a blessing to others who are 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 (207) 637-2061 to book your appointment.
Address :
302 Sokokis Ave,
Limington, ME 04049.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Limington
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
Old Orchard Beach Community Pantry & Resource Center
The Old Orchard Beach Community Pantry & Resource Center provides food, clothing and assistance resources to OOB & Ocean Park residents in need. We are here to provide resources to those in need in our community. Our office provides weekly food and paper items, toiletries and clothing to families and individuals in OOB and Ocean Park. We also provide information on local assistance available in Southern Maine.
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 (207) 937-8094 to book your appointment.
Address :
155 Saco Ave Old Orch,
Beach, ME 04064.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Beach
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
Saco Food Pantry
Saco Food Pantry provides food to Saco families in need. The pantry is open Monday through Friday 9am till 11am
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 (207) 468-1305 to book your appointment.
Address :
67 Ocean Park Rd,
Saco, ME 04072.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Saco
Help Residents of Counties:
- York
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 Sanford, Maine
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.