Food Pantry in Brunswick, Maryland

A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Brunswick, Maryland 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 Brunswick, Maryland 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 0 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Brunswick, Maryland which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Church Food Pantry

A number of churches around Brunswick, Maryland 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 Brunswick, Maryland which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Little Rock Church of Christ, Inc. Bible Way

Our mission is to fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus Christ set forth for His disciples to go into all the world teaching His word.

Our food pantry provides a grocery bag of food to those who are in need to supplement what they may not have. We distribute every other Tuesday.

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 (202) 397-3000 to book your appointment.

Address :

5030 Sheriff Rd NE,
Washington, DC 20019.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • District Of Columbia
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Jefferson
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren

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 Brunswick, Maryland 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 Brunswick, Maryland which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

St. Anthony has a variety of ministries to support the weak and vulnerable persons in our midst. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international, nonprofit, Catholic lay organization that provides assistance for those in need and living in poverty.

The St. Anthony's Bread/St. Vincent de Paul Emergency Food Pantry helps assist our hungry neighbors.

Services provided :

  • emergency food
  • 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 (202) 526-8822 to book your appointment.

Address :

1029 Monroe St NE,
Washington, DC 20017.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • District Of Columbia
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Jefferson
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Brunswick, Maryland 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 Brunswick, Maryland 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 Brunswick, Maryland 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 Brunswick, 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 Brunswick, Maryland 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 Brunswick, Maryland 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 Brunswick, Maryland 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 Brunswick, Maryland which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Faith Tabernacle of Prayer for All People

The mission of Faith Tabernacle of Prayer for All People is to provide visible form to the faith and fellowship to which God has called His people.

The mission of our Ambassadors of Good Will Ministry is to improve the quality of life of individuals with disadvantages and other special needs. This ministry helps to serve the needs of the community through the principles of sharing, cooperation, practical brotherhood, and right relationships.

Services include:

• Clothes Bank - Has made available various sorts of clothing items for those in need.
• Food Bank - This ministry is designed to provide good, healthy food to those in the Church and the community who are in need.
• S.H.A.R.E. - Self Help and Resource Exchange Provides, monthly, a very wholesome supply of food.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • help pay for food
  • clothing

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (202) 678-6012 to book your appointment.

Address :

2465 Alabama Ave SE,
Washington, DC 20020.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
  • Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
  • Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
  • Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
  • Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • District Of Columbia
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Jefferson
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren

Harvest House Community Development Corp.

Our program proudly serves individuals that need additional food during the month. Please contact us at the number listed to obtain hours.

Services provided :

  • emergency food
  • 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 (703) 407-3451 to book your appointment.

Address :

4100 Hunt Rd,
Fairfax, VA 22032.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Frederick
  • Montgomery
  • District Of Columbia
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Prince Georges
  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren
  • Anne Arundel
  • Baltimore
  • Baltimore City
  • Carroll
  • Harford
  • Howard
  • Queen Annes
  • Washington
  • Berkeley
  • Frederick
  • Winchester City
  • Hampshire
  • Dorchester
  • Saint Marys
  • Talbot

Action in Community Through Service of Prince William, Inc. (ACTS)

ACTS Emergency Assistance Office offers food to families experiencing crisis situations. If you are having trouble making ends meet, you may feel forced to choose between food and rent. While we can't help with rent, we do have an extensive food pantry. You and your children will receive up to a week's worth of groceries, including fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen meat, bread and other staples, and even a birthday cake if you need one. We know many people have dietary restrictions, so we strive to accommodate your needs as much as possible by providing sugar free, gluten free, and low salt items when requested. We always have some specialty items to choose from, too. We are even able to provide diapers if they are needed.

Come Thanksgiving, our Operation Turkey provides 700-1000 families with all they need for full holiday meals, including gift cards to purchase their own turkey.

The ACTS Food Pantry is located in the Family Services Center. If you come at a time or day when we aren't open, our "Bread Shed" is always open. Take whatever you need. Over the summer, we also usually have tables set up with fresh vegetables donated by local farmers' markets that are free for the taking.

Clients are eligible to obtain food assistance through the ACTS Food Pantry once per month. Food is distributed on a walk-in basis. No appointment is needed.

Documents required:

• A Photo I.D (required at each visit)
• Proof of Address (required at initial visit and any time you move)
• Proof of Income (pay stubs or benefit/award letters or current bank statement required at each financial assistance visit)
• Household member verification (Birth Certificate OR Social Security cards OR a piece of mail with the persons name on it postmarked within the last 30 days).

Hours of Operation:
M, Th: 9-11:30am/1-3pm
T: 1-3pm/5-6:30pm
W: Closed
F: 9-11:30 (only)
We follow the federal governments policies for most holidays and for inclement weather

Services provided :

  • emergency food
  • 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 (703) 368-4141 to book your appointment.

Address :

9317 Grant Ave,
Manassas, VA 20110.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
  • Tues: Closed
  • Wed: Closed
  • Thurs: Closed
  • Fri: Closed
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • District Of Columbia
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Jefferson
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren
  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • District Of Columbia
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Jefferson
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren

Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington (ACSGW)

Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington (ACSGW) collects food donations from throughout the community and keeps it available at our center for people who need some assistance. The food that is available varies throughout the month. It just depends on what ACSGW has received. Typically, we have nonperishable food, such as canned goods and pastas, as well as perishable food, such as fruits and vegetables. Sometimes we meat or poultry for our clients. Usually, we also have breads.

Qualified clients can visit the center once a month for food. People needing food must first visit our center to talk with a case manager to explain their need and provide the information necessary to ensure they meet current qualifications. You can request an appointment with a case manager by calling us at 301-585-6556. People who qualify can receive food the same day. Since we often provide more food than a person can carry, you should consider bringing a shopping cart or someone else with you to help you carry the food home.

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 (301) 585-6557 to book your appointment.

Address :

501 Sligo Ave,
Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 10:00 AM - 02:30 PM
  • Tues: 10:00 AM - 02:30 PM
  • Wed: 10:00 AM - 02:30 PM
  • Thurs: 10:00 AM - 02:30 PM
  • Fri: Closed
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • District Of Columbia
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Jefferson
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren

Rainbow Community Development Center Inc

The Rainbow Community Development Center (RCDC), Inc.’s mission is building better lives for those in need. We have been helping families to become self-sufficient and became a non profit entity. One of our programs is the Food Pantry.

With food prices soaring, obesity, diabetes and other health-related diseases are on the incline. Healthy, nutritious foods (such as fresh produce) are more expensive and less likely to be purchased, a factor in many health-related issues.

The RCDC Community Food Distribution program consists of the food pantry and nutritional education programs geared toward serving low-income individuals and families in need.

This program is staffed by a group of dedicated volunteers. Our pantry is the only pantry in the local area that provides fresh produce on a consistent weekly basis. Clients are served from throughout the Maryland, DC and Virginia area and can self-refer based on need.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • nutrition education

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (301) 625-2561 to book your appointment.

Address :

2120 Industrial Pkwy,
Silver Spring, MD 20904.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • District Of Columbia
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Jefferson
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren

Christ Chapel

Christ Chapel believes in reaching the lost with God’s Word, teaching people God’s Word will transform lives and unleashing God's people to fulfill their purpose.

Our food pantry provides food to meet basic nutritional needs for individuals and families in need and is available throughout the Woodbridge area. Our clients are children, adults or senior citizens with limited or no income, who simply have fallen on hard times or recently unemployed. The amount of food given depends on household size.

In order to access the Food Pantry, you must call and schedule an appointment due the fact that the Food Pantry will only be open when volunteers are available.

Documents needed:
• Drivers License

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 (703) 670-8481 to book your appointment.

Address :

13909 Smoketown Rd,
Woodbridge, VA 22192.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • District Of Columbia
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Jefferson
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Washington DC VA Medical Center

The Washington DC VA Medical Center's CRRC exemplifies the Medical Center's commitment to providing excellent care and services in an environment of compassion that respects homeless and at-risk Veterans.

Although not a shelter, the CRRC provides services to assist Veterans and their family members. Our center will act as a 24/7 hub to combat homelessness among Veterans. The building includes a Primary Care Clinic, a complete kitchen, laundry and shower facilities, a food pantry and a play room for children, as well as a host of other community services.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • primary care
  • personal hygiene
  • daytime care
  • recreation
  • navigating the system

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (202) 636-7660 to book your appointment.

Address :

1500 Franklin St NE,
Washington, DC 20018.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: Open 24 Hours
  • Tues: Open 24 Hours
  • Wed: Open 24 Hours
  • Thurs: Open 24 Hours
  • Fri: Open 24 Hours
  • Sat: Open 24 Hours
  • Sun: Open 24 Hours T:

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • District Of Columbia
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Frederick
  • Fredericksburg City
  • Jefferson
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren

Washington DC VA Medical Center

The CRRC is the first of its kind in the Washington DC area and will serve as a 24/7 hub to combat homelessness among Veterans. The CRRC facility centralizes federal and local partners to provide services to homeless and at-risk Veterans.

Although not a shelter, the CRRC provides services to assist Veterans and their family members.

The building includes a Primary Care Clinic, a complete kitchen, laundry and shower facilities, a food pantry and a play room for children, as well as a host of other community services. (Please note that not all offices are open 24/7.) Hours of Operation 8 am - 4:30 pm.

Offices Located in the CRRC:

• DCVAMC's Health Care for Homeless
• Veterans Program (HCHV)
• Employment Assistance
• Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)
• HUD/VASH Case workers
• Veterans Benefits Administration
• Vocational rehabilitation specialists
• Mental Health professionals
• Social Security Administration
• Life Transitions counselors
• All Faith Consortium
• America Works of Washington DC
• Community Connections
• Veterans Supported Employment Program
• Legal Aid Society
• Pathways to Housing
• Woodley House, Inc.

Call the center at 202-636-7660 for more information.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • medical care
  • personal hygiene
  • navigating the system
  • one-on-one support

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (202) 636-7660 to book your appointment.

Address :

1500 Franklin St NE,
Washington, DC 20018.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: Open 24 Hours
  • Tues: Open 24 Hours
  • Wed: Open 24 Hours
  • Thurs: Open 24 Hours
  • Fri: Open 24 Hours
  • Sat: Open 24 Hours
  • Sun: Open 24 Hours T:

Help Residents of Counties:

  • District Of Columbia
  • Calvert
  • Charles
  • Frederick
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Falls Church City
  • Fauquier
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Prince William
  • Rappahannock
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren

Annandale United Methodist

Annandale UMC is a community of faith that believes in the core values of Christianity of doing no harm, doing well and staying in love with God. What this means is that we offer radical hospitality, we commit ourselves to intentional growth in our personal and corporate discipleship, and we offer ourselves unreservedly to the community and the world in mission.

The Mission Center provides food to neighbors in need every Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please bring an ID with you if you have one. No one will be turned away if food is available.

Please come to the Mission Center to pick up food or if you have questions, please contact Betsy Clevenger at 703-425-6424.

Services provided :

  • emergency food
  • 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 (703) 256-8330 to book your appointment.

Address :

6935 Columbia Pike,
Annandale, VA 22003.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM EST
  • Tues: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM EST
  • Wed: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM EST
  • Thurs: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM EST
  • Fri: 08:30 AM - 04:30 PM EST
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Anne Arundel
  • Baltimore
  • Baltimore City
  • Calvert
  • Carroll
  • Charles
  • Frederick
  • Harford
  • Howard
  • Montgomery
  • Prince Georges
  • Queen Annes
  • Washington
  • Alexandria City
  • Arlington
  • Clarke
  • Culpeper
  • Fairfax
  • Fairfax City
  • Fauquier
  • Fredericksburg City
  • King George
  • Loudoun
  • Manassas City
  • Manassas Park City
  • Prince William
  • Spotsylvania
  • Stafford
  • Warren
  • Berkeley
  • Jefferson
  • District Of Columbia

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 Brunswick, Maryland

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.