We found 28 food pantries listed for Bellevue, Nebraska. Call before you go to confirm hours and what to bring. You can also see Food banks in Sarpy County, Nebraska.
Salvation Army Food Pantry Locations
We have located 9 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Bellevue, Nebraska. You can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Omaha, NE: Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
Phone: (402) 905-3500
Address: 2825 Y St, Omaha, NE 68107. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Character Building Programs
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Day Care
- Food & Nutrition
- Food Pantry
- Music & Arts Programs
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Spanish
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
Call (402) 905-3500 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
The Salvation Army - Omaha, NE: Burrows Center for Help and Hope
Phone: (402) 898-6090
Address: 6101 NW Radial Hwy, Omaha, NE 68104. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food Pantry
- Seasonal Services
Appointments :
Call (402) 898-6090 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
The Salvation Army - Omaha, NE: Citadel Corps Community Center
Phone: (402) 553-5694
Address: 3738 Cuming St, Omaha, NE 68131. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Nutrition Programs
- Pathway of Hope
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Senior Citizen Clubs
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
Call (402) 553-5694 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
The Salvation Army - Plattsmouth, NE: Service Extension
Phone: (402) 898-5942
Address: Call for address
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Seasonal Services
Appointments :
Call (402) 898-5942 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Cass County
The Salvation Army - Omaha, NE: Durham Booth Manor
Phone: (402) 898-5880
Address: 923 N 38th St, Omaha, NE 68131. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Senior Citizens Residences
Appointments :
Call (402) 898-5880 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
The Salvation Army - Omaha, NE: Renaissance Village
Phone: (402) 898-5900
Address: 3612 Cuming St, Omaha, NE 68131. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Alcohol and Drug Treatment
- Casework Services
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Pathway of Hope
- Senior Citizens Residences
- Transitional Housing
Appointments :
Call (402) 898-5900 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
The Salvation Army - Gene Eppley Camp
Phone: (402) 291-1912
Address: 915 Allied Rd, Bellevue, NE 68123. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Camping Activities
- Residential Camping Activities
Appointments :
Call (402) 291-1912 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sarpy
The Salvation Army - Omaha, NE: North Corps Community Center
Phone: (402) 451-4048
Address: 2424 Pratt St, Omaha, NE 68111. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Camping Activities
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Group Work Services
- Latchkey Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Nutrition Programs
- Rehabilitation
- Residential Camping Activities
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
Call (402) 451-4048 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
The Salvation Army - Omaha, NE: Haven of Hope
Address: 3321 Fontenelle Blvd, Omaha, NE 68104. Get Directions
Hours: Hours not listed
Services provided :
- Transitional Housing
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Church Food Pantry Locations
We have located 3 Church Food Pantry locations in Bellevue, Nebraska. You can also check your eligibility.
First Lutheran Church Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 345-7506
Address: 542 S 31st St, Omaha, NE 68105. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Is it time for you to clean out your cupboards? Are you looking for a wonderful volunteer opportunity to give back to the community? Please consider helping in our Food Pantry. We strive to provide food for anyone who walks through our doors where they are welcomed with a smile and treated with dignity and respect. We are going to have a fresh new pantry! The Choice Pantry provides community members with access to healthy and nutritious foods. Our system emphasizes both choice and a balanced diet. People “shop†through their food selection process much like they would in a grocery store, rather than receiving prepackaged bags. The Food Pantry is open from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (closed the first full week of the month for restocking) and feeds an average of about 40 hungry people each weekday the year round. Lately, we have been serving 85 to 90 people per day!
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 345-7506 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Benson Baptist Church Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 551-1512
Address: 6319 Maple St, Omaha, NE 68104. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Food Pantry is open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month. Benson Baptist’s Food Pantry Ministry has been in existence for about 15 years. It is designed to provide food on a monthly basis to anyone who requests it. We serve close to 225 families monthly, and those families represent about 600 people. On average, we disperse approximately 6,000 pounds of food. Our food is purchased from Food Bank for the Heartland, and we receive bread from Rotella Bakery as well as donations from Sunset Hills Baptist Church. At times we also find it necessary to purchase food from local grocery stores. Our congregation also donates food. The food ordered from the Food Bank is delivered on the last Tuesday of the month. The delivered groceries are put away in the basement, and boxes are then filled with food in preparation for the Food Pantry, which is held the last Saturday of the month. In addition to food, we supply clothing and incidental items to our clients. These items are supplied by donations from our congregation, Walmart and other sources. Our funding comes from congregational donations, occasional grants and church-allocated funds, although we are not included in our church budget. We have approximately 40 volunteers each Saturday of operation comprised of our congregation members and some students from Brownell Talbot High School. We also have students from Methodist College of Nursing who provide blood pressure tests and glucose checks for our clients.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 551-1512 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 341-7761
Address: 2650 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68131. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Over the past two decades, the Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church Food Pantry has grown into a guest-choice pantry, where more than 70 volunteers serve approximately 1,766 guests per month. Over 40% of our guests are children. The Pantry’s mission is simple: feed anyone who comes through the door. The gracious and generous donations by the Kountze congregation whether it be time, talent, or treasure continues to bless our hungry neighbors in need. Here, all welcome. Come and be filled. Hours of Operation: Mondays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 341-7761 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry Locations
We have located 1 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Bellevue, Nebraska. You can also check your eligibility.
Society of St Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 779-8499
Address: 2101 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE 68102. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 779-8499 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Food Pantry Locations
We have located 15 Food Pantry locations in Bellevue, Nebraska. You can also check your eligibility.
Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 556-7030
Address: 1725 S 60th St, Omaha, NE 68106. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Heartland may be known as the nation’s breadbasket, but not everyone shares in its abundance. Low wages, part-time employment and rising prices are creating a new class of poor in our communities. 11% of Nebraskans live at or below national poverty standards. 16% of households in Nebraska have low food security (having access to enough food for all household members, at all times, to lead an active, healthy life, or uncertainty around having or obtaining enough food to meet the needs of all members due to insufficient resources). Hunger in our community greatly affects the most vulnerable members of our societyâ€our children. 42% of the families in Nebraska who receive emergency food assistance support children under the age of 18. There are 26,970 children in Douglas County who are at-risk for hunger, and 7,600) in Sarpy County. One in five children participate free or reduced school breakfast and lunch programs. We believe that Jesus’ charge to his disciple Peter to “Feed my sheep,†(John 21:16) is our sacred duty and our daily calling. We are challenged by the great need around us, but we are hopeful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and to grow our spirits by serving all the children of God. And while we cannot solve all of their needs, we believe we must use our best efforts to do what we can. St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran church partners with Project Hope to operate a satellite Food Pantry at our church to serve our neighbors in the midtown Omaha area. We provide groceries, paper products and personal items to individuals and families in our community who do not have enough of what they need to get them through the month. Pantry users may choose from a variety of items based on their family size and need. There are no financial qualifications and no cost to use the pantry. Please bring picture ID, Social Security cards for each member of your family, and/or a piece of mail with your name and address. Third Saturday of each month, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Free to all participants.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 556-7030 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Bellevue Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 614-7371
Address: 104 Galvin Rd N, Bellevue, NE 68005. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our mission is to simply provide food for those in need of it.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 614-7371 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Bellevue
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sarpy
Tri-City Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 552-7061
Address: 302 American Pkwy, Papillion, NE 68046. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Tri-City Food Pantry was created when the Glory Christian Center pantry and the St. Columbkille pantry combined and moved to the Heartland Family Service building at 302 American Parkway in Papillion in 2007. The Tri-City Food Pantry works under the auspices of the Tri-City Ministerial Association and their 501(c)3. The pantry is run primarily by a group of volunteers who assist clients, sort donations, stock shelves and bag groceries. A board of directors oversees the management of the pantry with the help of a part-time director..
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 552-7061 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Papillion
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sarpy
Heart Ministry Center Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 451-2321
Address: 2222 Binney St, Omaha, NE 68110. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Heart Ministry Center offers a “choice†food pantry. Pantry clients can choose from a variety of bread, meat, produce, and canned or boxed items. Clients can also shop for 15 minutes in our free clothing closet and can select all of the clothing items their families need. Clients are able to use the pantry and closet once every 30 days. Wednesdays and Fridays 10am to 1pm, Thursdays – SENIORS ONLY (60+) 10am to 1pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 451-2321 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Hand Up Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 345-5383
Address: 216 S 34th St, Omaha, NE 68131. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our Hand Up Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. except holidays. Our goal is to provide a hand up for those in our community by providing food. To receive a pantry please bring your social security card and two pieces of identification with an address. Clients are able to be served a full pantry once a month. We offer a weekly Senior Pantry for those 65 and over.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 345-5383 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Juan Diego Center Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 731-5413
Address: 5211 S 31st St, Omaha, NE 68107. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Catholic Charities provides hope and help for families and individuals faced with hunger in our community. Emergency food pantries are located at Catholic Charities neighborhood centers in north Omaha and south Omaha, providing low-income families meat, canned and packaged food, bread and when available, fresh produce. Juan Diego Center Food Pantry Hours: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 9:30-11:30 am, Wednesday: 4-6pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 731-5413 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Project Hope Inc.
Phone: (402) 453-7649
Address: 6201 N 60th St, Omaha, NE 68104. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Project Hope is a member of the Omaha Food Pantry Association. The Association consists of thirteen pantries in the Omaha Metropolitan Area. As an emergency food pantry, we can help clients once every thirty days, up to six times a year. Please bring the following items with you each time you come to Project Hope: Photo ID for Head of Household; Social Security Cards for Every Household Member; Piece of Mail with Current Address
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 453-7649 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Community Food Pantry at Chabad of Nebraska
Phone: (402) 957-2705
Address: 1866 S 120th St, Omaha, NE 68144. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The community food pantry at Chabad of Nebraska, the only location in West Omaha, works to end hunger by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity. Working to end food poverty and increase access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income and disabled Omahans, the food pantry's initiatives focus on direct services, food sourcing and distribution, nutrition and health education, financial empowerment, disaster relief and policy and research.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 957-2705 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Together Inc. Choice Pantry
Phone: (402) 345-8047
Address: 812 S 24 St, Omaha, NE 68108. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
We can help you with your grocery bill so it’s easier to pay your other bills. A pantry box usually makes 20-30 plates of food. We include breakfast, meat, fruits and vegetables and more. Selection varies. You can visit the Pantry once every 30 days. Pantry Hours: Mon - Thurs: 10:00am - 3:30pm, Fri: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 345-8047 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Gretna Neighbors Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 332-3383
Address: 153 S Mc Kenna Ave, Gretna, NE 68028. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 332-3383 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Gretna
Help Residents of Counties:
- Sarpy
Dean Fricke Memorial Episcopal Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 342-7010
Address: 109 N 18th St, Omaha, NE 68102. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Dean Fricke Memorial Episcopal Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) organization and is staffed by 30-35 volunteers from the Episcopal churches in the Omaha area, under the direction of a board of directors. The board consists of one or two representatives from those churches, plus up to two at-large members. Board members from churches are appointed by the rectors of the churches, while at-large members are appointed by the board. The pantry is a unique ministry that reaches from church to church, bringing together Episcopalians from across the metro area. The churches represented are All Saints, Church of the Holy Spirit, Church of the Resurrection, St. Andrews, St. Augustine’s, St. Martha’s, St. Martin of Tours and Trinity Cathedral.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 342-7010 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
LIFEHouse Partnership
Phone: (402) 557-8205
Address: 11806 Prairie Lane Dr, Omaha, NE 68144. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
LIFEHOUSE PARTNERSHIP is a Christian non-profit organization started by two local partner churches: Prairie Lane Church and Westwood Church. We demonstrate the love of Jesus by helping with the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors in Omaha. We are typically open on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6pm – 8pm, and also the 4th Saturday of the month from 10am – noon.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 557-8205 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
FaithWorks Pantry
Phone: (402) 895-3394
Address: 4892 Oaks Ln, Omaha, NE 68137. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Offering food staples to those in need. Every Third Wednesday of the Month 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM AND Every Fourth Saturday of the Month 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at FaithWorks Pantry. Please bring a photo ID and proof of address. There will be an application available onsite that will need to be filled out.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 895-3394 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 453-6363
Address: 2111 Emmet St, Omaha, NE 68110. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Catholic Charities provides hope and help for families and individuals faced with hunger in our community. Emergency food pantries are located at Catholic Charities neighborhood centers in north Omaha and south Omaha, providing low-income families meat, canned and packaged food, bread and when available, fresh produce. St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry Hours: Monday 9am-1pm, Tuesday 12:30pm-4:30pm, Friday 9am-1pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 453-6363 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
Westside Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 496-7833
Address: 15050 W Dodge Rd, Omaha, NE 68154. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Westside Food Pantry provides non-perishable food packages for individuals and families both within our church body and for the community. Food Pantry boxes must be requested by contacting the church office for an appointment. Each family is eligible to receive a Food Pantry box twice a year.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 496-7833 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Omaha
Help Residents of Counties:
- Douglas
A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Bellevue, Nebraska 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 offers free food help through local centers. Contact the branch nearest Bellevue, Nebraska to confirm hours and requirements. 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.
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Bellevue, Nebraska have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.
Church pantries often rely on food donations gathered through food drives.
Some churches also deliver food items to older adults who are unable to drive to a nearby community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.
Catholic Charities Food Pantry
Resources provided by Catholic Charities organizations can include help with food, holiday, and immigration needs.
Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charities centers for help.
Catholic Charities locations in and around Bellevue, Nebraska may offer groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal. Hours and walk-in rules vary, so call before you go.
Some of these food pantries work like grocery stores, letting clients choose the items they need from the groceries available on site.
First-time clients may need to fill out a short application with basic household information.
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Some independent food pantries use the Helping Hands name. Any Helping Hands pantries we have listed around Bellevue, Nebraska appear on this page.
Food supplies, hours, and services differ from one pantry to the next, so call before you go.
These pantries often rely on donations and volunteers from their local communities.
Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.
Mobile Food Pantry
Mobile food pantries bring free food directly to families in need in communities around Bellevue, Nebraska, often during large one-day distributions.
Some mobile pantries hand out pre-packed boxes, while others let you shop market-style.
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 2026
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 pantries often 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.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
Some St. Vincent de Paul food pantries around Bellevue, Nebraska may operate much like a grocery store, where people in need can choose their own food.
Services vary by location, so call the pantry near you to ask what is available.
Food Pantry Delivery Program
Some food banks run delivery programs that bring food and other products to partner agencies in more remote areas. Ask a food pantry around Bellevue, Nebraska whether delivery is available near you.
Drive-thru Food Pantries
Drive-thru food pantries are a convenient and efficient way to distribute food to neighbors in need. Many are open to anyone who needs help with food, but rules vary by location, so call ahead if you can.
Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?
Drive-thru pantries are generally open to anyone who needs help getting food. Requirements vary, so check with the pantry before you go.
You may be asked to provide:
- Your zip code, and
- Number of people in your household.
You usually do not need an appointment. Drive-thru pantries are generally first-come, first-served, so plan to arrive early because lines can fill quickly and popular items may run out.
How do drive-thru pantries work?
Volunteers and staff manage the distribution line. Here is how most drive-thru pantries operate:
Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the distribution area.
Visitors pull up in their car and are guided into a clearly marked queue. Staff move cars forward to keep the line moving quickly.
Check-in.
You may be asked about your zip code, household size or income for the pantry's records.
Food is loaded into your car.
Pre-packed bags of food — typically including shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit, and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats — are loaded by volunteers directly into your trunk.
Pet Food Pantry
Some pet owners give up their pets because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet food pantries help fill a gap left by assistance programs such as SNAP, which cannot be used to buy pet food.
Pet food pantries may provide free pet food for a limited time to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in Bellevue, Nebraska.
Who is eligible for a pet food pantry?
Rules vary by pantry, but many help 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.
Some 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.
This is often a 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, Infants, and 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?
Food pantries typically provide shelf-stable items such as:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to a food pantry?
Rules vary by food pantry. Many ask only that you say you need help, while others may ask for ID, proof of address, income information, or a referral. Call ahead to find out what to bring.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry often provides food packages meant to last a few days 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 food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Those organizations then provide this food directly to families in need.