A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 4 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Berkshire, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - North Adams
Services provided :
- Bible Study - Correspondence
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Disaster Services
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Missing Persons
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (413) 663-7987 to book your appointment.
Address :
393 River St,
North Adams, MA 01247.
Get Directions
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- Berkshire
The Salvation Army - Pittsfield
Services provided :
- Bible Study - Correspondence
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Camping Activities
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Missing Persons
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal 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 (413) 442-0624 to book your appointment.
Address :
298 West St,
Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Get Directions
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The Salvation Army North Adams
We can provide food and heat assistance when able.
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 (413) 663-7987 to book your appointment.
Address :
393 River St N,
Adams, MA 01247.
Get Directions
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- Adams
Help Residents of Counties:
- Berkshire
The Salvation Army Pittsfield
Free Dinner: Available Sunday | 4:30pm. Free Hot Breakfast: Available Monday-Friday | 9:00am. Food Pantry: Available Monday-Friday | 10:00-11:30am | 1:00-2:00pm. Food Pantry bring ID and proof of residence. May use every 30 days. Any participation in any Federal program qualifies for use. Bread and food rack in Gym when available. Sign in and self service. No ID necessary
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 (413) 442-0624 to book your appointment.
Address :
298 West St,
Pittsfield, MA 01202.
Get Directions
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- Pittsfield
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- Berkshire
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 8 Church Food Pantry locations in Berkshire, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Christian Assembly Church - Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
Our food pantry is a service we offer to those in need, not only during the holidays but throughout the year. Our food pantry is open to the community on Wednesdays 12:00pm-2.00pm and Fridays 10am-12 Noon. To access our food pantry please bring something showing your name and current address. We'll be happy to serve you once a month.
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 (413) 442-1495 to book your appointment.
Address :
850 Williams St,
Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Get Directions
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- Pittsfield
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- Berkshire
Reigning Love Church Food Pantry
Our food pantry is open from 10 AM to 2 PM on the second through the last Thursday of each month. We create an atmosphere where people can feel comfortable as they wait their turn for food. Each person receives personal attention and is treated with dignity and respect. They leave our pantry with food that they will eat because they choose the food. We also try to stock personal hygiene items, vitamins and laundry detergent. These necessary items sometimes get taken out of a family's budget because the need for basic food items is more immediate. Our food pantry staff is comprised of church members, some volunteers from the community and some food pantry recipients.
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 (413) 448-6221 to book your appointment.
Address :
235 East St,
Pittsfield, MA 01201.
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- Pittsfield
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- Berkshire
Community Bible Church Food Pantry
The Food Pantry at CBC has been in operation for over 20 years and serves approximately 100 families from the church and community. We drive to the Western Mass Food Bank in Hatfield every month to pick up our allotment of free food and purchase other food and products for 19¢ a pound. The food is then boxed into individual units at the church to be picked up by recipients that afternoon. People can contact the church Monday through Thursday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to arrange to receive a unit of food, for information on the next delivery date, or if additional food is needed during the month (a limited amount of dried or canned goods are available outside the monthly delivery). Pickup is usually the third Wednesday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00. We are unable to help anyone before 1:00 as we pack boxes.
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 (413) 458-5556 to book your appointment.
Address :
160 Bridges Rd,
Williamstown, MA 01267.
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- Williamstown
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- Berkshire
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church - St. Stephen’s Table
More than 200 nutritious meals are served each week to needy men, women, and children on Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday noontime throughout the year. The meals are prepared and served by volunteers from the church and from the wider community. Volunteer coordinators from the parish organize the entire effort, including food pickups from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and some local stores. Sign-up sheets are outside the Parish Office for memorial or thank offering gifts to provide the meats for a dinner on a particular date.
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 (413) 448-8276 to book your appointment.
Address :
67 East St,
Pittsfield, MA 01201.
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- Pittsfield
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- Berkshire
First United Methodist Church - Community Dinner & Food Shelf
Community Dinner: Each Tuesday from 5-6, we come together with persons who share our desire to serve in preparing, serving and enjoying a common meal together. All are welcome at Christ’s table. We share joys and needs, hopes and griefs, as we work, pray, eat and speak with one another. Food Shelf: Twice a month, we open a food shelf to offer healthy foods to those who are without. We accept donations of fresh produce and staples. Most visitors shop from our supplies. This also provides opportunity for friendship, conversation and care.
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 (413) 499-0866 to book your appointment.
Address :
55 Fenn St,
Pittsfield, MA 01201.
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- Pittsfield
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- Berkshire
South Congregational Church Community Food Pantry & St. Joe’s Kitchen Ecumenical Community Meal
Community Food Pantry: Food distribution to needy families – Barrett Hall (rear entrance), Wednesday @ 8-11 a.m., Thursday @ 8-11 a.m. St. Joe’s Kitchen Ecumenical Community Meal: Wednesdays, free hot meal served @ 5 pm, doors open @ 3:30 pm, Barrett Hall (rear entrance)
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 (413) 442-7357 to book your appointment.
Address :
110 South St,
Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Get Directions
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- Pittsfield
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- Berkshire
St. Mark’s Church Food Pantry
St. Mark’s food pantry is open from 9am – 11am on the last two Friday’s of the month. St. Mark’s Food Pantry distributes food to +200 families/people in Pittsfield. We are members of the Western Mass. Food Bank, which provides us with the ability to buy subsidized food or even obtain free items of food.
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 (413) 447-7510 to book your appointment.
Address :
400 West St,
Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Get Directions
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- Pittsfield
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- Berkshire
Dalton United Methodist Church - Loaves and Fish
Open Tuesdays from 4-5 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 (413) 684-0521 to book your appointment.
Address :
755 Main St,
Dalton, MA 01226.
Get Directions
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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 Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 Berkshire, 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 Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 Berkshire, Massachusetts 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 3 Food Pantry locations in Berkshire, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
St. Joseph's Food Pantry
St. Joseph’s Food Pantry distributes food to those individuals and families in our community who are in need. Registration is required with a few basic questions being asked of the clients. Food for the pantry is from the following sources: Government supplementary foods purchased from the Western MA Food Bank; Dry good donations received weekly through the generosity of the parishioners; Financial and dry goods from individuals and families from outside the parish; Assorted food from community food drives held during the year; Baked goods are also received weekly from various community bakeries. Dedicated volunteers sort the donated dry goods, stock the shelves and prepare the bags of food to be distributed to the needy. Free blood pressure screenings are available often during the hours of operation. A licensed RN is usually on the premises to provide this service. The Food Pantry operates every Wednesday morning from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. throughout the year. If schools are closed due to inclement weather, the Food Pantry will be closed as well.
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 (413) 445-5789 to book your appointment.
Address :
414 North St,
Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Get Directions
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- Pittsfield
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- Berkshire
The Christian Center
The Christian Center is the oldest human service organization in the Berkshires, serving the community for more than 120 years. The mission of The Christian Center is “Uplifting the community by empowering individuals with dignity, nourishment, and hope.†Thousands of individuals and families come to The Christian Center each year seeking emergency assistance. All programs and services are available to qualified individuals free of charge. Food Pantry: Providing nutritious, perishable and nonperishable food packages to hundreds of qualified individuals and families at least once a month. Food pantry hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Meals Program: Continental breakfast and lunch served Monday through Friday.
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 (413) 443-2828 to book your appointment.
Address :
193 Robbins Ave,
Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Get Directions
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- Pittsfield
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- Berkshire
The Berkshire Food Project
We provide free meals 5 times a week (mon - fri) to any and all who want one. Monday through Friday at the First Congregational Church in North Adams MA. We serve at noon so try to arrive by 11:45!
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 (413) 664-7378 to book your appointment.
Address :
134 Main St N,
Adams, MA 01247.
Get Directions
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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 Berkshire, Massachusetts
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.