We found 25 food pantries listed for Deale, Maryland. Call before you go to confirm hours and what to bring. You can also see Food banks in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Salvation Army Food Pantry Locations
We have located 1 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Deale, Maryland. You can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Glenn Burnie Service Center, MD
Phone: (443) 749-0849
Address: 511 Crain Hwy S, Glen Burnie, MD 21061. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Casework Services
- Day Camp Activities
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Seasonal Services
Appointments :
Call (443) 749-0849 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Church Food Pantry Locations
We have located 15 Church Food Pantry locations in Deale, Maryland. You can also check your eligibility.
Community United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 255-1506
Address: 8680 Ft Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Pantry Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 255-1506 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Pasadena
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Eastport United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 263-5490
Address: 926 Bay Ridge Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Members regularly deposit non-perishable foods in a collection box in Fellowship Hall. They deposit loose change in the big glass fishbowl at the back of the sanctuary, and many opt to make food pantry donations in lieu of poinsettias at Christmas and lilies at Easter. These efforts increase the amount of food we are able to provide for the needy. We are also an official Anne Arundel County Foodbank distribution site. Food distribution takes place on the third Wednesday of each month from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Volunteers set up at 10:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed for both set-up and distribution.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 263-5490 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Annapolis
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
St. Luke's Episcopal Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 268-5419
Address: 1101 Bay Ridge Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
We believe that feeding the hungry is an important part of our faith. Every Tuesday from 11 am to 12 noon, we host one of the busiest food pantries in the area. The doors open at 10:45 am, and guests are asked to bring ID and their own bags for carrying groceries. On average, we provide food for 200 households each month. The pantry is supported by a dedicated group of congregants and community volunteers. The members of Cub Scout Pack 153 also help with food drives and collect over a half ton of canned goods each spring. The Food Pantry is open Tuesday mornings.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 268-5419 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Annapolis
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 757-2995
Address: 657 Broadneck Rd, Annapolis, MD 21409. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The food Pantry will be open each month on 2nd and 3rd Friday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 757-2995 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Annapolis
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Severn Christian Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 969-0384
Address: 8132 New Cut Rd, Severn, MD 21144. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
If we want to transition from 'churchianity' to 'Christianity' we must not only restore Biblical doctrine but also restore Biblical community. From the very beginning the early church made sure that everyone had the basic necessities of life (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35). We here at SCC want it said of us that 'there is not a needy one among them'. The Food Pantry is a way that we can share, have all things in common, take care of each other and give something back. We invite everyone to give or receive from our pantry as we continue to grow as a family of God.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 969-0384 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Severn
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Heritage Baptist Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 263-6680
Address: 1740 Forest Dr, Annapolis, MD 21401. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Heritage Baptist Food Pantry is open every Tuesday & Thursday (except holidays) from 9-11 AM.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 263-6680 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Annapolis
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Harundale Presbyterian Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 766-4338
Address: 1020 Eastway Gln, Burnie, MD 21060. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
HPC Food Pantry is open for distribution of groceries every Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Families and individuals are eligible to receive groceries once a month. Eligibility requirements are: confirmation of address in Anne Arundel County (such as a current piece of mail), photo I.D. for the person picking up the groceries, and a Social Security card or birth certificate for everyone else in the household.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 766-4338 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Burnie
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Vineyard Community Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 987-3440
Address: 255 Najoles Rd, Millersville, MD 21108. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
We stock a Food Pantry to provide food and personal items for those in need.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 987-3440 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Millersville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
First Baptist Church of Edgewater Emergency Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 956-3142
Address: 38 W Central Ave, Edgewater, MD 21037. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Thursday's 9:30 - 1pm. For those in critical need. Community members may use the pantry once per month and show ID, proof of county residence and fill out a Food Link form.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 956-3142 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Edgewater
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Heritage Community Church Bread Pantry
Phone: (410) 551-8500
Address: 8146 Quarterfield Rd, Severn, MD 21144. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Heritage Community Church Bread Pantry is devoted to nurturing love for Jehovah God, love for self, and love for others by helping and serving others in need of physical and spiritual food.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 551-8500 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Severn
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Asbury United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 268-9500
Address: 87 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Food Pantry: Tues, Wed, Fri 9:00 am
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 268-9500 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Annapolis
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Crofton Food Pantry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church
Phone: (410) 721-5770
Address: 1800 Seton Dr, Crofton, MD 21114. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Volunteers from the seven area churches of the Crofton Christian Caring Council joined together in 2008 to establish the Crofton Food Pantry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. The food pantry is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am – 3pm and the first Sunday of each month from 3 – 5pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 721-5770 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Crofton
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Magothy United Methodist Church of the Deaf - Doorstep Mission
Phone: (410) 255-4530
Address: 3703 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
A food distribution program (food pantry) for individuals and families in need who live in the community.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 255-4530 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Pasadena
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Friendship Community Baptist Church Food Pantry
Phone: (301) 327-5132
Address: 37 Jewell Rd, Dunkirk, MD 20754. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
FCBC, in partnership with Maryland Food Bank, sponsors a monthly food pantry providing food donated by local farmers and area grocery stores to our neighbors in need. There are no qualifications, minimums, income restrictions, or applications. The Food Pantry is usually held on the 4th Thursday of the month from 2:00-4:30pm, however, it is best to call the church at 301-327-5132 each month to verify the date and time.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (301) 327-5132 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Dunkirk
Help Residents of Counties:
- Calvert
Bayside Baptist Church Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 257-0712
Address: 3009 Chesapeake Beach Rd, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Bayside Baptist Food Bank is open every Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 am. It offers supplemental help to anyone in need of assistance. During special holidays, members of Bayside donate hams, turkeys and "the fixins" to be given to those in need.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 257-0712 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Chesapeake Beach
Help Residents of Counties:
- Calvert
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry Locations
We have located 1 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Deale, Maryland. You can also check your eligibility.
St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Phone: (443) 203-1002
Address: 515 Loch Haven Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society are parishioners who assist the poor and needy in the name of our community. They do so by staffing our parish food pantry and offering financial assistance. Our food pantry is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Appointments for financial assistance are on Mondays between 10:00 and 11:00 am. A referral from Community Action in Annapolis (410-626-1900) is required for energy assistance before making an appointment here.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (443) 203-1002 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Edgewater
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Food Pantry Locations
We have located 8 Food Pantry locations in Deale, Maryland. You can also check your eligibility.
Lutheran Mission Society - Annapolis Compassion Center
Phone: (410) 269-5016
Address: 230 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The mission field is not all overseas. It is also right here, in our own neighborhoods, where people are struggling and hurting and hungering for the wholeness Jesus brings. This is the call the Lutheran Mission Society heard over 100 years ago, and the call that still drives LMS ministries today — ministering to the needs of the body with food, clothing and shelter; ministering to the needs of the soul with the Good News of Jesus. LMS Compassion Centers exist for this purpose. There are currently nine Compassion Centers in Maryland and York, PA where over 500 people come daily for help with the physical necessities of life and for the nourishment of spirit that only Jesus can give. Annapolis: Wednesdays - Food and Clothing 9:00 AM
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 269-5016 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Annapolis
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
All Hallows Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 798-0808
Address: 3600 Solomons Island Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our Food Pantry is the largest portion of our outreach program and it distributes food to our patrons on the third Monday of each month from 9:30am-11:00am at the Parish House, 3600 Solomon's Island Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037. The Parish Food Pantry distributes supplemental food to local families. The food includes canned good, fresh meat, milk, eggs, and, occasionally, fresh vegetables and fruit.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 798-0808 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Edgewater
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Baltimore Dream Center
Phone: (410) 355-6707
Address: 3701 9th St, Baltimore, MD 21225. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Baltimore Dream Center is a volunteer driven organization that finds and fills the needs of individuals and families alike. It was founded in 2002 and currently hosts a variety of ministries. Every person is worthy of love, and the Dream Center is here to support the community regardless of color, class, or circumstance. The BDC is hosted and supported by Pathway Church of God and various other partners. We have the privilege of providing food for over 800 people in our community each month! Our volunteers are passionate about meeting the immediate need of hunger in our neighborhoods. We host a Monthly Food Bank on the 3rd Saturday of each month, as well as offer emergency food on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am-12:00pm. Each Friday evening, we gather at the Dream Center for a warm meal that has come to be a community favorite. This is much more than just a time to get a full stomach–it’s a place to catch up with friends and neighbors. Our volunteer chefs prepare a meal that never disappoints and is always free to everyone in attendance. No appointment or reservations are needed for dinner—simply show up on Fridays between 5:30pm-6:30pm!
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 355-6707 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Baltimore
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Calvary Chapel Food Mininstry
Phone: (410) 969-5100
Address: 8064 New Cut Rd, Severn, MD 21144. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
CALVARY CHAPEL FOOD MININSTRY distributes food to our community every Tuesday night at 5:30pm. Here's what you need to know: You do not need to be a church member to receive food, but we would love to have you join our family! There is no cost to you. You may arrive at 4:00pm on Tuesday. At 4:30, we open the sanctuary doors so that you may come in. 4:30pm begins what we call "The Gathering". This is an optional service that includes music, prayer for those in need, and a short encouraging Word. You will always be loved and respected as we feel privileged to have you with us! At 5:30pm, we will open the doors for the food distribution at the "Barn" at the end of our property. The food distribution will run from 5:30pm - 6:30pm.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 969-5100 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Severn
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 257-3444
Address: 6045 Solomons Island Rd, Huntingtown, MD 20639. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
When a person comes into the Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry they receive more than a bag of groceries. Along with the needed food comes encouragement, partnership, life skills opportunities and accountability. In a word, relationship. It’s through relationship that people experience a life changing encounter and move from dependence to their highest level of self-sufficiency. Our success stories are when people don't need us anymore! Food Pantry Hours of Operation: Tuesday: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Thursday: 9:30 AM -12:00 PM
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 257-3444 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Huntingtown
Help Residents of Counties:
- Calvert
RTBC Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 798-4868
Address: 475 W Central Ave, Davidsonville, MD 21035. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The RTBC Food Pantry was founded in 1999 by several ladies from RTBC. It operated from a closet in the church kitchen, serving 15-12 families each month. Now, the pantry operates the first Saturday each month, serving over 250 households. The pantry is open to church families as well as the local community. More than sixty volunteers serve on the various pantry days. As part of Riva Trace's benevolence ministry, the Food Pantry: provides emergency food bags in addition to the Saturday pantry days. All funds come from offering donations. While a portion of the food we give away each month is free to us from the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, the majority of food given away is purchased at a reduced amount from the Maryland Food Bank. Each month more and more families appear for food assistance. It is our goal at Riva Trace to serve everyone who comes in need of food.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 798-4868 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Davidsonville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
SCAN Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 867-2838
Address: 5757 Solomons Island Rd, Lothian, MD 20711. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
South County Assistance Network (SCAN) was established in May of 1997 for the purpose of providing supplemental, nonperishable food to those in need in the area. Currently the SCAN food pantry is distributing food to over 150 families. The pantry is located in the lower level of the Education Building at St. James Episcopal Church in Lothian, Maryland. Food is distributed on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 12pm, excluding holidays. Bags of mostly nonperishable food are handed out based on household size. Eligible families and individuals may receive food once every 30 days. SCAN is not a function of St. James Parish; St. James generously provides operating space to the pantry. SCAN is a separate entity, incorporated in the State of Maryland, with a 501(c)(3) federal nonprofit, tax-exempt status. SCAN is staffed and operated by volunteers. Food is provided by the Maryland Food Bank, the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, businesses and individuals. Food is also purchased as necessary using funds donated to the Pantry.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 867-2838 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lothian
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
Cedar Grove Emergency Food Pantry
Phone: (410) 867-7417
Address: 5965 Deale Churchton Rd, Deale, MD 20751. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our emergency food pantry provides enough food for a few days for a family of 3-5 until they can get further assistance from a local food bank, such as SCAN.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (410) 867-7417 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Deale
Help Residents of Counties:
- Anne Arundel
A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Deale, 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 offers free food help through local centers. Contact the branch nearest Deale, Maryland to confirm hours and requirements. 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.
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Deale, Maryland have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.
Church pantries often rely on food donations gathered through food drives.
Some churches also deliver food items to older adults who are unable to drive to a nearby community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
Resources provided by Catholic Charities organizations can include help with food, holiday, and immigration needs.
Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charities centers for help.
Catholic Charities locations in and around Deale, Maryland may offer groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal. Hours and walk-in rules vary, so call before you go.
Some of these food pantries work like grocery stores, letting clients choose the items they need from the groceries available on site.
First-time clients may need to fill out a short application with basic household information.
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Some independent food pantries use the Helping Hands name. Any Helping Hands pantries we have listed around Deale, Maryland appear on this page.
Food supplies, hours, and services differ from one pantry to the next, so call before you go.
These pantries often rely on donations and volunteers from their local communities.
Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.
Mobile Food Pantry
Mobile food pantries bring free food directly to families in need in communities around Deale, Maryland, often during large one-day distributions.
Some mobile pantries hand out pre-packed boxes, while others let you shop market-style.
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 2026
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 pantries often 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.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
Some St. Vincent de Paul food pantries around Deale, Maryland may operate much like a grocery store, where people in need can choose their own food.
Services vary by location, so call the pantry near you to ask what is available.
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Some food banks run delivery programs that bring food and other products to partner agencies in more remote areas. Ask a food pantry around Deale, Maryland whether delivery is available near you.
Drive-thru Food Pantries
Drive-thru food pantries are a convenient and efficient way to distribute food to neighbors in need. Many are open to anyone who needs help with food, but rules vary by location, so call ahead if you can.
Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?
Drive-thru pantries are generally open to anyone who needs help getting food. Requirements vary, so check with the pantry before you go.
You may be asked to provide:
- Your zip code, and
- Number of people in your household.
You usually do not need an appointment. Drive-thru pantries are generally first-come, first-served, so plan to arrive early because lines can fill quickly and popular items may run out.
How do drive-thru pantries work?
Volunteers and staff manage the distribution line. Here is how most drive-thru pantries operate:
Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the distribution area.
Visitors pull up in their car and are guided into a clearly marked queue. Staff move cars forward to keep the line moving quickly.
Check-in.
You may be asked about your zip code, household size or income for the pantry's records.
Food is loaded into your car.
Pre-packed bags of food — typically including shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit, and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats — are loaded by volunteers directly into your trunk.
Pet Food Pantry
Some pet owners give up their pets because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet food pantries help fill a gap left by assistance programs such as SNAP, which cannot be used to buy pet food.
Pet food pantries may provide free pet food for a limited time to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in Deale, Maryland.
Who is eligible for a pet food pantry?
Rules vary by pantry, but many help 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.
Some 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.
This is often a 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, Infants, and 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?
Food pantries typically provide shelf-stable items such as:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to a food pantry?
Rules vary by food pantry. Many ask only that you say you need help, while others may ask for ID, proof of address, income information, or a referral. Call ahead to find out what to bring.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry often provides food packages meant to last a few days 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 food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Those organizations then provide this food directly to families in need.