A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 2 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Springfield, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Springfield
Services provided :
- Aid to Families
- Bible Study - Correspondence
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Day Care
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Group Work Services
- Latchkey Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Missing Persons
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Transitional Care & Work Release
- 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) 733-1518 to book your appointment.
Address :
170 Pearl St,
Springfield, MA 01105.
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The Salvation Army Springfield Food Pantry
The Salvation Army in Springfield maintains an onsite food pantry to help meet emergency needs.
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) 733-1518 to book your appointment.
Address :
170 Pearl St,
Springfield, MA 01101.
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- Hampden
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Springfield, 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 3 Church Food Pantry locations in Springfield, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
All Nation Church of God Food Pantry
Our Food bank distribution is made possible by The Food Bank of Western Masschusetts and funding by the All Nation Church. When: Every Second Saturday of Every Month. Time: 10 AM - Noon. Apart from our monthly distribution we also provide emergency distribution to individuals and families in extreme need and in severe circumstances as supplies allow.
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) 736-9775 to book your appointment.
Address :
67 Kenyon St,
Springfield, MA 01109.
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St. John's Congregational Church Food Pantry
Families and individuals in need can receive assistance in the form of food packages. Food packages are assembled according to USDA guidelines. This service is available for residents of Greater Springfield.
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) 734-2283 to book your appointment.
Address :
45 Hancock St,
Springfield, MA 01109.
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Third Baptist Church Food Pantry
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) 734-4143 to book your appointment.
Address :
149 Walnut St,
Springfield, MA 01105.
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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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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 6 Food Pantry locations in Springfield, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Parish Cupboard
The Parish Cupboard is a registered non-profit organization whose mission is, quite simply, to support needy families and individuals in West Springfield/Agawam/Feeding Hills by providing food and meals through two programs: 1. An Emergency Food Program – registered households who must prove residency and need may receive groceries once a month. This food support may include bread, produce, canned and boxed items, peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese – whatever we have, (from donations and purchases) we give. In 2013, 735 households were registered with us. Each month approximately 200 of these families come in for groceries. 2. The Hot Lunch Program – the dining room is open to anyone, five days a week. This is where we see the areas’ homeless, street folks who truly depend on the Parish Cupboard for a substantial and nutritious meal. Our daily average has grown to 37 which equals about 768 lunches per month. Part of the Parish Cupboard’s mission is also to provide a safe, welcoming haven for our clients. We give them respect and they, in turn, show respect and courtesy for the Cupboard. Hours: Monday-Friday: Emergency Food /Pantry hours are from: 9:00 - 11:15, Hot Lunch program runs from about: 11:20 - 12:30
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) 734-7969 to book your appointment.
Address :
738 Main St W,
Springfield, MA 01089.
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- Hampden
Friends of the Homeless - Meals
Homeless men and women are provided three basic meals per day, 365 days a year, in the dining room located within the Homeless Resource Center on the FOH Campus. The fully licensed kitchen serves over 150,000 meals every year to FOH clients and others in the community who would otherwise go hungry. Meals are served Sunday through Saturday in the FOH dining room at 755 Worthington Street. Breakfast: 8:00 - 9:00 AM; Lunch: 12:00-1:00 PM; Supper: 4:30-5:30 PM. Meal sponsors are always welcome. Because FOH operates a fully licensed kitchen that must meet local, state and federal guidelines, we are restricted from accepting certain kinds of donations, specifically pre-prepared food. We cannot allow food not prepared in our kitchen, under our supervision to be served to our guests, on our property. Please consult the Food Contributions and Volunteer page for guidelines. We could not serve 150,000 meals each year without the help of volunteers.
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) 732-3069 to book your appointment.
Address :
755 Worthington St,
Springfield, MA 01105.
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Mt. Zion Soup Kitchen Ministry
The Mt. Zion Soup Kitchen Ministry has been in operation since 1999. Staff members administer to the needs of Church members and the surrounding community by providing healthy, nutritional meals to all who come through its doors each Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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) 785-5664 to book your appointment.
Address :
368 Bay St,
Springfield, MA 01109.
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Open Pantry Community Services, Inc. - Emergency Food Pantry
Open Pantry's Emergency Food Pantry (EFP) has been providing non-perishable groceries for people in need since 1975. Both individuals and families in the Springfield area come to the EFP on an emergency basis. Families comprise 48% of the people served and nearly 50% of all the food distributed is for children. Recipients may use this service up to six times a year. This number was increased from four to help meet the increasing needs of our community. Senior recipients may access the service 12 times a year. We have a special program specifically for seniors. The Senior Food Choice program is a program designed for seniors to shop exclusively on the 3rd Monday of each month at our Emergency Food Pantry. Senior Day offers Seniors the opportunity to choose their own food in a dignified grocery store like setting. Seniors are assisted by a staff member or volunteer who assists them with selecting their groceries, pushing their carts and helping with any questions they may have. Staff members at EFP complete an intake process with each recipient. This process not only allows EFP staff to report on existing needs, but it also creates an opportunity to refer people to other essential services. Additionally, we assist with applications for SNAP benefits (no long called food stamps). We also have advocacy services for those who are having difficulties getting or accessing their SNAP benefits. EFP is located at 2460 Main Street in Suite 108 & 108B in the Plaza Del Mercado in Springfield. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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) 737-5353 to book your appointment.
Address :
108 108b,
Springfield, MA 01107.
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- Hampden
Open Pantry Community Services, Inc. - Loaves & Fishes Community Kitchen
Our Loaves & Fishes Community Kitchen has provided prepared meals to people who are disadvantaged in Greater Springfield on a daily basis since it began in 1980. Lunch and supper are available seven days a week. Over 750 volunteers from faith communities, civic groups, area businesses and student organizations are involved in the preparation and serving of nutritious meals. Loaves & Fishes is a life sustaining service and essential to the health of people who are disadvantaged. Providing meals is not only a way to prevent malnutrition and improve health, but also a way to connect people to other essential services.
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) 731-5668 to book your appointment.
Address :
287 State St,
Springfield, MA 01105.
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Rachel's Table
Since 1992, Rachel's Table has been working to alleviate hunger and reduce food waste in Western Massachusetts. Six days a week, more than 200 volunteers collect food from local supermarkets, restaurants, caterers and bakeries, and deliver it to 43 agencies, including soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters. Our agencies, which are located in Springfield, Longmeadow, West Springfield, Feeding Hills, Chicopee, Holyoke, and Indian Orchard, depend upon Rachel's Table as an ongoing source of nutritious and tasty food. Rachel's Table is also a catalyst for community activism. Our volunteers come from varied backgrounds, religions and cultures, and range in age from teenagers to people in their nineties. In 2007, we initiated a gleaning program that provides students and other young volunteers with the opportunity to rescue thousands of pounds of nutritious produce from local farms. The volunteers bring the produce to the agencies, giving them the powerful experience of directly helping those in need.
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) 733-9165 to book your appointment.
Address :
1160 Dickinson St,
Springfield, MA 01108.
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- Hampden
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 Springfield, 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.