A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in St. Louis, Missouri 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 St. Louis, Missouri 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 10 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in St. Louis, Missouri which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - St. Louis, MO Booth Manor
Services provided :
- Senior Citizens Residences
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (314) 773-6760 to book your appointment.
Address :
3133 Iowa Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63118.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis City
The Salvation Army - St. Louis, MO Temple Corps
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Community Recreation Programs
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- 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 (314) 771-3460 to book your appointment.
Address :
2740 Arsenal St,
Saint Louis, MO 63118.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis City
The Salvation Army - St. Louis, MO Family Haven - A Community in Partnership Family Center
Services provided :
- Alcohol and Drug Treatment
- Casework Services
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Care
- Detoxification Services
- Domestic Violence Services
- Emergency Shelter
- Transitional Housing
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (314) 423-7770 to book your appointment.
Address :
10740 Page Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63132.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis
The Salvation Army - St. Louis, MO Service Extension
Services provided :
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (314) 646-3000 to book your appointment.
Address :
1130 Hampton Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63139.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis City
The Salvation Army - St. Louis, MO Euclid Corps
Services provided :
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Care
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- 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 (314) 531-5621 to book your appointment.
Address :
2618 N Euclid Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63113.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis City
The Salvation Army - St. Louis, MO Harbor Light Center
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Christian Education
- Clinics Services
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Detoxification Services
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Visitation 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 (314) 652-3310 to book your appointment.
Address :
3010 Washington Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63103.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis City
The Salvation Army - St. Louis, MO Maplewood Corps
Services provided :
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Latchkey Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Residential Camping Activities
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- 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 (314) 781-5434 to book your appointment.
Address :
7701 Rannells Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63143.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis
The Salvation Army - Forest Park (Saint Louis, MO) As-Is Family Store
Services provided :
- Salvation Army Family Store
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call 1800SATRUCK to book your appointment.
Address :
3949 Forest Park Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63108.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis City
The Salvation Army - Midtown (St. Louis, MO) Family Store & Donation Center
Services provided :
- Drop Box
- Salvation Army Family Store
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (314) 535-2000 to book your appointment.
Address :
4121 Forest Park Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63108.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis City
The Salvation Army - St. Louis, MO Gateway Citadel
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Seasonal Services
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- 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 (314) 631-1133 to book your appointment.
Address :
824 Union Rd,
Saint Louis, MO 63123.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Saint Louis
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around St. Louis, Missouri 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 0 Church Food Pantry locations in St. Louis, Missouri which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
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 St. Louis, Missouri 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 St. Louis, Missouri 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 St. Louis, Missouri 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 2 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in St. Louis, Missouri which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Community Helping Ministry
Community Helping Ministry (CHM) is a not-for-profit community-wide partnership of churches, businesses, service clubs, organizations, and individuals working together to serve the needs of families with limited resources in times of financial crisis. The agency was incorporated in 1995 as Bridgeton Community Helping Ministry, but its origins extend back to the 1980's, when dedicated volunteers worked out of their homes to serve families 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 (314) 770-2216 to book your appointment.
Address :
3770 Mckelvey Rd,
Bridgeton, MO 63044.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bridgeton
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
Helping Hands Food Pantry
1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Thursdays each month: 9:00 a.m.: Open, 10:00 a.m.: Pass out food, 1:00 p.m.: Close
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 (314) 741-5667 to book your appointment.
Address :
1120 Trampe Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63138.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Saint Louis
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
Mobile Food Pantry
The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around St. Louis, Missouri 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 St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, Missouri 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 St. Louis, Missouri 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 St. Louis, Missouri 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 St. Louis, Missouri which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
TEAM Food Pantry
TEAM provides food and non-food items to needy families in the Florissant/Hazelwood areas on a once a month basis. The amount of items provided are simply a supplement to the client family requirements each month. Clients are provided with basic items such as meat, canned vegetables and fruits, pasta, bakery, produce and other staples. Household supplies, personal care items and some basic infant supplies are distributed when available. Government commodity products are provided for eligible residents in St. Louis County. Clients must call to make appointments with TEAM, be certified and provide proof of residency each month. Volunteers fill grocery baskets in advance of the appointment time with items based on family size. Inventories vary each day depending on donations, collections and local purchases required to fulfill basic needs. TEAM receives support from the Foodbank, “Operation Food Search,†our member churches, area businesses, schools, fire stations, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, letter carriers, and other local organizations and individuals in providing for our needy clients. TEAM is an Equal Opportunity Provider.
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 (314) 831-0879 to book your appointment.
Address :
265 St,
Catherine Florissant, MO 63031.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Catherine Florissant
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Food Pantry
We are more than a food pantry - we teach families how to get back on their feet. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Inc. is a 5019(c)(3) Missouri Not-for-profit Corporation, a conference under St. Vincent De Paul Society of greater St. Louis, and a member of Food Search and Food Bank. We're run by a dedicated team of volunteer leaders and are funded completely though small donations of time and money. Our pantry serves over 1,200 families per month (3,200 individuals), and we receive generous donations of food each week from Schnuck's and Dierberg's.
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 (314) 535-9794 to book your appointment.
Address :
4335 Warne Ave,
Saint Louis, MO 63107.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Saint Louis
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
Northside Seventh-day Adventist - Community Service Center
The Community Service Center devotes time and talents to the gathering and preparing of clothing, food, and other supplies for the poor, needy, and unfortunate. Adult education, home nursing, counseling, and other community assistance services are also available. We currently assist more than 60 families twice a week with food, clothing and shelter! Anyone in need is invited to come! Hours: Sunday and Wednesday from 9:00am until 12:00 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 (314) 868-0707 to book your appointment.
Address :
9001 Lucas And Hunt Rd,
Saint Louis, MO 63136.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Saint Louis
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
St. Anthony Food Pantry
Located behind St. Anthony's Church (3140 Meramec St.). Provides food and clothing for the neighborhood needy from zip codes 63118, 63111, 63116: Mondays & Thursdays from 10 AM - Noon, and Wednesdays from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Please bring a photo ID and a bill or legal document with current address. Legal assistance available the 4th Thursday of the month; appointments are needed so please call.
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 (314) 353-7470 to book your appointment.
Address :
3140 Meramec St,
Saint Louis, MO 63118.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Saint Louis
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
Affton Christian Food Pantry
The Pantry is open: Monday 12:00-2:00pm, Tuesday 4:00-6:30pm, Thursday 6:00-8:00pm, Saturday 9:30-12:00pm. Clients are able to shop by appointment only – this helps both the Pantry and clients maintain accountability and fairness. Emergency aid is available, but recommended only as a last resort. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call the Pantry at 314.580.3138 to schedule an appointment. Anyone residing in the 63123 area code OR an individual/family bearing a referral from an ACFP Member Church is able to receive aid from the ACFP if they are in need of food assistance. Please have ID and proof of residency (driver’s license, utility bill, passport, etc) when coming to the pantry for the first time (for more info, see the FAQ: What should an individual bring to the ACFP when applying for aid/membership?). The ACFP does not seek to be exclusive, but this system has been put in place to ensure fairness to the needy in all areas of St. Louis, and to eliminate “double-dipping†from pantry to 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 (314) 580-3138 to book your appointment.
Address :
4960 Heege Rd,
Saint Louis, MO 63123.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Saint Louis
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry
The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, a program of Jewish Family & Children’s Service, provides food, personal care items and community resource referrals to help individuals and families through difficult times. The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is dedicated to alleviating hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds. Kosher food and other special dietary needs can be accommodated. The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry currently serves over 7,000 people each month who would otherwise go hungry.
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 (314) 993-1000 to book your appointment.
Address :
10601 Baur Blvd,
Saint Louis, MO 63132.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Saint Louis
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
Loaves and Fishes is a privately run non-profit organization. The Loaves and Fishes Pantry reserves the right to determine who receives food. The use of the Pantry is a privilege not a right. Registration times are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12:30 until 1:00 with food distribution at 1:15. Wednesday night registration is from 6:00-6:45 (includes a hot meal) with food distribution at 8:00. Registration closing times are firm; no late arrivals will be accepted. New Client Registration is on Wednesdays from 11:30-12:30 and by appointment only. New Clients will need to bring the following items: Photo ID; Proof of household income for all adults 19 and over. Proof of income can be provided through the following item(s): a previous year tax return form AND a current pay check stub OR a social security/disability award letter, unemployment award letter and/or proof of loss of income (termination letter), a food stamps budget summary page that shows your income. If you have an adult in your household who is not working because they are attending school, please bring proof of enrollment; Proof of veteran’s status (if applicable); A completed registration form (also available in the Loaves and Fishes office.); Birth certificates or social security cards for each household member.
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 (314) 291-3857 to book your appointment.
Address :
2750 Mckelvey Rd,
Maryland Heights, MO 63043.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Maryland Heights
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
Circle of Concern Food Pantry
Circle Of Concern serves west St. Louis County, a part of the St. Louis metropolitan area known for beautiful homes, corporate headquarters, good schools and a thriving business community. West County is also home to families that struggle every day to make ends meet. Lay-offs, underemployment, illness or injury, age and more – many families in the thick of West County prosperity find themselves urgently in need of assistance. Circle Of Concern can help. We are, first and foremost, a food pantry. In 2014, we fed 25,472 individuals with 41,363 bags of groceries – enough to put a bag on nearly every seat in Busch Stadium. At Circle, feeding families is just the beginning, though. We also offer financial support, scholarships, job mentoring, children’s programs and holiday events. All of these efforts work together to to take a little off our clients’ financial plates, allowing them to use their limited resources to regain their financial footing. The food pantry is our core service. It is also the gateway to other Circle programs and services; in order to access other programs, families must first receive food from the food pantry. Each month, Circle Of Concern serves approximately 2,000 people with groceries. The quantity of food shared is determined by a client’s family size. We share a 7 to 10 day supply of grocery items, including milk, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, bakery items, frozen meats and canned goods. Because items like soap and toilet paper cannot be purchased with food stamps, personal care items and paper products also are included with the groceries. For families with school-age children who receive free or reduced-cost breakfast and/or lunch during the school year, we provide Kid Bags during the summer. These packs include additional child-friendly food to help bridge the grocery gap and ensure these children have enough to eat when school is not in session.
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 (636) 861-2623 to book your appointment.
Address :
112 St Louis Avenue Vly,
Park, MO 63088.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Park
Help Residents of Counties:
- St. Louis
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 St. Louis, Missouri
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.