Our Daily Bread is a non-profit, ecumenical soup kitchen located in the parish hall of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Its purpose is to provide a free nutritious meal in a warm and welcoming atmosphere for those in need. Our Daily Bread has only a paid director and director’s assistant, therefore, the backbone of the program is its volunteers and their ability as a group to provide a very necessary, basic need in the community. Hunger is an invisible need and is often overlooked, unseen or disbelieved by many. People are being forced to make choices between paying their rent, heating their homes or putting food on their table. During the summer months and school vacations many children are fed. The changes in qualifications by our government of those who can no longer receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the changes in our Welfare system have increased the needs of many for a nutritious food source. Our Daily Bread serves a noontime meal Monday through Friday, from 11:15 AM to 1:00 PM. Doors are open at 10:00 AM for coffee and donuts. We are "no questions asked" and do not judge those who come in for a meal. All are welcome. Those fed include the homeless, elderly, needy, lonely, deinstitutionalized and disadvantaged. The majority of the daily effort of preparing serving, and cleaning up after a meal for approximately 150 guests is the responsibility of the volunteers with the support of a paid director and director’s assistant. Guests come into the soup kitchen and sit down at their seats where they are served their meals restaurant style by volunteers. There is no shuffling through a line waiting to be handed something. It is felt that we are "food for the soul" as well as food for the body. The personal contact, recognition and conversation provided are an important part of our mission as well as trying to ease the pain of hunger. Guests are served a main meal, salad, dessert, and drink. Bread and butter are on the tables if needed. We serve what most would consider the main meal of the day, such as spaghetti and meatballs, fish dinner, or homemade stews. Seconds are also available if desired. We have a direct impact on the greater community by providing the very basic need of food to those less fortunate in a safe and friendly environment. We are a vital organization that strives to provide dignity and stability to our guests by making a positive difference in their lives and to fight the invisible problem of hunger in our communities.
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 (508) 824-1788 to book your appointment.
Address :
111 High St,
Taunton, MA 02780.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Taunton
Help Residents of Counties:
- Bristol
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (508) 824-1788 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
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.