We found 12 food pantries listed for Lincoln, Nebraska. Call before you go to confirm hours and what to bring. You can also see Food banks in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
Salvation Army Food Pantry Locations
We have located 2 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Lincoln, Nebraska. You can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Lincoln, NE: Citadel Corps Community Center
Phone: (402) 474-6263
Address: 2625 Potter St, Lincoln, NE 68503. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Food Pantry
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Pathway of Hope
- Store
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Sunday School
Appointments :
Call (402) 474-6263 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
The Salvation Army Hastings Corps
Phone: (402) 463-0529
Address: 400 S Burlington, Hastings, NE 68503. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Salvation Army of Hastings, Nebraska, provides food and material assistance, youth activities and worship services for the community. Food Pantry and Material Assistance (Monday - Thursday afternoons, by appointment only)
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 463-0529 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hastings
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
Food Pantry Locations
We have located 10 Food Pantry locations in Lincoln, Nebraska. You can also check your eligibility.
Indian Center Inc. Emergency Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 438-5231
Address: 1100 Military Rd, Lincoln, NE 68508. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Provides 7-day food supply for individuals or families in crisis. Applications for food boxes are accepted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons between 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and subject to availability (quantities of food are limited). Eligible to pick up every three months (90 days). Must bring Social Security Numbers for all members of the household every time you pick up.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 438-5231 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
Good Neighbor Community Center - Shopper's Choice Pantry
Phone: (402) 477-4173
Address: 2617 Y St, Lincoln, NE 68503. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
GNCC distributes non-perishable like canned food, frozen meat, dry beans, pasta, etc. through our Shopper's Choice Pantry. Individuals with appointments are given the opportunity to walk into our pantry and pick out food for themselves depending on their family sizes and the amount of food available. Clients may receive non-perishable food every 30 days. NOTE: Appointment needed before one can come in for a pantry. Call us at 9 am to set up an appointment. If it is an emergency case, please call the center at 402.477.4173 and explain your situation. Make sure you talk to a staff or volunteer. Perishables: Each Monday and Wednesday, GNCC distributes perishable food like fruits, vegetables, bread, milk, etc. between 10am-12pm. No appointment needed to come in for perishables but we ask for GNCC client cards.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 477-4173 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach
Phone: (402) 477-4116
Address: 2121 N 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68501. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach (MTKO) is a faith-based hunger relief and outreach program that was established in 1992. Devoted to serving homeless and near homeless men, women, and children, MTKO provides meals twice daily, everyday of the year. Our extensive outreach and advocacy programs include such services as on-site shower and laundry services, basic and emergency needs, life skills training, transitional housing, case management, nutrition counseling, and substance abuse evaluation & counseling. Above all, we believe in providing a warm meal, open heart, and unconditional love to all who walk through our doors. Meals are served daily: Lunch 11:30am - 12:30pm; Supper 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 477-4116 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
Lutheran Metro Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 488-2132
Address: 1015 Lancaster Ln, Lincoln, NE 68505. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 488-2132 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
Northeast Area Pantry
Phone: (402) 466-1957
Address: 1645 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68505. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Bethany Christian Church is the site of the Northeast Area Food Pantry. This emergency food pantry collects donations and fulfills the needs of many in our community. The pantry began in 1979 and was one of the first in Lincoln. The Northeast Area Pantry serves individuals and families-in-crisis who may obtain a seven-day supply of nutritious foods.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 466-1957 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
OpeN Shelf
Address: 535 N 16th St, Lincoln, NE 68508. Get Directions
Hours: Hours not listed
OpeN Shelf is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln initiative administered by the Lutheran Center to help Husker students in need. We recognize that college is expensive and that often students have limited resources. These limited resources may deny students the ability to consistently purchase their own personal care and food items. OpeN Shelf focuses on providing students with hygiene products, in addition we do have offer food products and other food bank sources. OpeN Shelf is a free service. We require no paperwork and the process is easy. Simply come into the Lutheran Center when we are open and pick which products you need off our shelves. Volunteers at OpeN Shelf are not permitted to record or share any personal information about students, and will strive to ensure that every person visiting or utilizing our services will retain a high level of anonymity. While OpeN Shelf is located in the Lutheran Center and ConnectioN Point the pantry is available for all persons in the UNL community regardless of age, race, gender identity or religious affiliation. Lutheran Center, City Campus: Mondays: 8:30 - 10:30 am, Fridays: 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
Eastridge Emergency Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 488-7844
Address: 1135 Eastridge Dr, Lincoln, NE 68510. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Eastridge Emergency Food Pantry’s mission is to provide emergency food to families in crisis in Lincoln. It is operated as a local outreach program by churches in southeast Lincoln. The following churches provided financial support to the Pantry during 2015: Eastridge Presbyterian, Christ United Methodist, Aldersgate United Methodist, Good Shepherd Presbyterian, Vine Congregational, Heritage Presbyterian, and the Unitarian Church.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 488-7844 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
OpeN Shelf
Address: 1333 N 33rd St, Lincoln, NE 68503. Get Directions
Hours: Hours not listed
OpeN Shelf is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln initiative administered by the Lutheran Center to help Husker students in need. We recognize that college is expensive and that often students have limited resources. These limited resources may deny students the ability to consistently purchase their own personal care and food items. OpeN Shelf focuses on providing students with hygiene products, in addition we do have offer food products and other food bank sources. OpeN Shelf is a free service. We require no paperwork and the process is easy. Simply come into the Lutheran Center when we are open and pick which products you need off our shelves. Volunteers at OpeN Shelf are not permitted to record or share any personal information about students, and will strive to ensure that every person visiting or utilizing our services will retain a high level of anonymity. While OpeN Shelf is located in the Lutheran Center and ConnectioN Point the pantry is available for all persons in the UNL community regardless of age, race, gender identity or religious affiliation. ConnectioN Point, East Campus: Tuesdays: 2:00 - 5:00 pm, Fridays: 9:00 - 11:00 am
Services provided :
- food pantry
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
St. Francis Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 474-1600
Address: 2241 O St, Lincoln, NE 68510. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
St. Francis Food Pantry in Lincoln served 8,398 individuals with pantries valued at $235,144.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 474-1600 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
Westminster Food Pantry
Phone: (402) 475-6702
Address: 2110 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68502. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Fact: Today in Lincoln, Nebraska, there is a growing need for food. The reason for this growing need is the number of households living in or close to poverty. With little or no savings these families and individuals live in the shadow of a crisis or unexpected bill leaving them with no money to buy food. As a response to this growing need, the Westminster Food Pantry was established in the summer of 1992. As part of the Emergency Food Pantry System of the Lincoln Interfaith Council, the Westminster Food Pantry serves emergency food needs only.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (402) 475-6702 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Lincoln
Help Residents of Counties:
- Lancaster
A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, 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.