A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 2 Church Food Pantry locations in Manchester, Maryland which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Westminster Church of the Brethren Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry
Each Saturday over a hundred people from the Westminster area come to lunch in the Fellowship Hall of The Westminster Church of the Brethren. Loaves and Fishes, is an outreach ministry of our congregation whose goal is to feed and assist those in need in our community and has been providing meals each Saturday for over thirty years. The doors open to the guests at 10:30 and a hot lunch is served from noon to 1:00. The Food Pantry is an outgrowth of the Loaves and Fishes ministry. On the second and fourth Saturday of each month families are allowed to select six food items from the church food pantry. The pantry is stocked with donations from the Westminster Church of the Brethren. Items in the pantry include several selections of fruits, vegetables and beans along with different kinds of pastas and rice, and canned chicken and tuna. Other items include a small selection of personal care products.
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 (410) 848-8090 to book your appointment.
Address :
1 Park Pl,
Westminster, MD 21157.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Westminster
Help Residents of Counties:
- Carroll
Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church - South Carroll Food Pantry
Wesley Freedom recently launched the South Carroll Food Pantry, offering groceries to families one Saturday per month out of the fellowship hall. Registration is from 8:30-11:30am. Food Distribution is from 9:00-11:30am. Wesley Freedom Fellowship Hall, Use North Entrance B.
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 (410) 795-2777 to book your appointment.
Address :
961 Johnsville Rd,
Sykesville, MD 21784.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Sykesville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Carroll
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 Manchester, 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 0 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Manchester, Maryland 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, 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 8 Food Pantry locations in Manchester, Maryland which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
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
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
NESAP Food Pantry
NESAP provides emergency assistance to qualified Carroll County residents with their heat, electric, water and sewer bills. Clients meet with the Director or Program Manager to discuss their needs and NESAP's guidelines. Referrals are also made to MD Energy Assistance Program for ongoing energy assistance.
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 (410) 239-6216 to book your appointment.
Address :
1046 S Carroll St,
Hampstead, MD 21074.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hampstead
Help Residents of Counties:
- Carroll
RUMC Community Kitchen
RUMC provides a free, home-cooked meal for community neighbors who are in need as well as for anyone who would like to share a meal with others. The congregation is invited to participate by enjoying the meal, visiting with our neighbors and/or helping in the kitchen. Hours: First Saturday every month, 11:30 am to 1 pm
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 (410) 526-6967 to book your appointment.
Address :
246 Main St,
Reisterstown, MD 21136.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Reisterstown
Help Residents of Counties:
- Baltimore
RUMC Food Pantry
The RUMC Food Pantry is a partner with Maryland Food Bank and we work closely with the Community Crisis Center, Westminster Rescue Mission, and the Alpha Pregnancy Center. We operate solely by volunteers and via donations made to the Food Pantry. We are always looking for new partners. The RUMC Food Pantry serves the residents of Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Glyndon and Finksburg. If you live in those communities then you are welcome to stop by once a month for a free bag of food. Please note that ID is required to show residence in these areas. We also have a "swap shop" that makes clothing and other donated items available if you have a need. We are open: Wednesday nights from 6 pm to 8 pm, Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon
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 (410) 526-6967 to book your appointment.
Address :
308 Main St,
Reisterstown, MD 21136.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Reisterstown
Help Residents of Counties:
- Baltimore
Carroll County Food Sunday - Westminster
Carroll County Food Sunday (CCFS) is a non-profit organization of volunteers and members of the community coming together as neighbors helping neighbors by supporting Carroll County residents in meeting their emergency and supplemental food needs. CCFS distributes a weekly, nutritionally balanced grocery package that is predicated on household size and is meant to last 3-4 days. It includes meat, eggs, fruits, vegetables, breads and milk. Over 400 families a week are served at our Westminster, Eldersburg and Taneytown locations. Westminster Location Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs: 10:00 AM -11:15 AM and 1:00 PM -2:15 PM; Sat: 9:00 AM -11:15 PM
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 (410) 857-7926 to book your appointment.
Address :
10 Distillery Dr,
Westminster, MD 21157.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Westminster
Help Residents of Counties:
- Carroll
Deeds of Faith Food Pantry
We the Deeds of Faith staff along with the members of Crosswind Church welcome you to the Deeds of Faith Food Pantry - a ministry of Crosswind Church located on this same property. The pantry was established to help meet some of the food needs of the people in our community, and it is open to everyone. Likewise our church is here to help you, and all are welcome. Hours of Operation: Mondays 2:00pm - 5:00pm, Fridays 10:00am - 12:00pm, Fridays 2:30pm - 4:30pm
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 :
640 Lucabaugh Mill Rd,
Westminster, MD 21157.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Westminster
Help Residents of Counties:
- Carroll
Carroll County Food Sunday - Taneytown
Carroll County Food Sunday (CCFS) is a non-profit organization of volunteers and members of the community coming together as neighbors helping neighbors by supporting Carroll County residents in meeting their emergency and supplemental food needs. CCFS distributes a weekly, nutritionally balanced grocery package that is predicated on household size and is meant to last 3-4 days. It includes meat, eggs, fruits, vegetables, breads and milk. Over 400 families a week are served at our Westminster, Eldersburg and Taneytown locations. Taneytown Location Hours: Thurs 9:30 AM – 11:15 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 (410) 751-1520 to book your appointment.
Address :
44 Frederick St,
Taneytown, MD 21787.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Taneytown
Help Residents of Counties:
- Carroll
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 Manchester, 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.