A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Manchester, New Hampshire 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 Manchester, New Hampshire 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 1 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Manchester, New Hampshire which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Manchester, New Hampshire Corps Community Center
Services provided :
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Latchkey Programs
- Music & Arts Programs
- Nutrition Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- 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 (603) 627-7013 to book your appointment.
Address :
121 Cedar St,
Manchester, NH 03101.
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Help Residents of Counties:
- Hillsborough
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Manchester, New Hampshire 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 2 Church Food Pantry locations in Manchester, New Hampshire which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Sacred Heart Church Food Pantry
The Sacred Heart Church Food Pantry serves hungry families of Sacred Heart Parish and the surrounding community at all times of the year. Our mininstry's mission is to provide food for the needy. All donations of food, cash contributions, and the 120 Club proceeds are combined in supporting this worthwhile ministry. The Sacred Heart Church Food Pantry is managed by a group of volunteer parishioners who, without compensation of any kind, try to meet the needs of as many individuals as possible.
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 (603) 668-4004 to book your appointment.
Address :
247 S Main St,
Manchester, NH 03102.
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- Manchester
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- Hillsborough
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Food Pantry
Open first & third Tuesday of each month to Manchester residents. Parish Hall 8:30 – 10 a.m. – please bring resident identification. The Food Pantry opens its doors in the parish hall on the first and third Tuesday morning of each month from 8:15 to 10. Funded by donations from our parishioners; St. Peter’s Church, Londonderry and a portion of St. Andrew’s Thrift Shop profits, the Food Pantry team provides nutritional support to families from all over the city. Volunteers shop at the NH Food Bank and transport grocery items to St. Andrew’s twice each month in preparation for our parish Food Pantry Tuesdays. The majority of volunteers work on Tuesday mornings setting fresh and packaged food out on parish hall tables where pantry clients can make their selections. Volunteers have a chance to greet their neighbors while overhearing a variety of languages. It’s a vibrant and positive atmosphere!
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 (603) 622-8632 to book your appointment.
Address :
102 N Main St,
Manchester, NH 03102.
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- Hillsborough
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 Manchester, New Hampshire 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 Manchester, New Hampshire 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 Manchester, New Hampshire 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 Manchester, New Hampshire 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 Manchester, New Hampshire 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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, New Hampshire 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 Manchester, New Hampshire 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 Manchester, New Hampshire 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 Manchester, New Hampshire which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry
The pantry is open Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. for individuals and families in the East Manchester area that need a little help. Clients with the last names A-L are served the first and third Wednesdays; last names M-Z are served the second and fourth Wednesdays.
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 (603) 622-5445 to book your appointment.
Address :
14 Elm St,
Manchester, NH 03103.
Get Directions
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- Manchester
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- Hillsborough
First UMC Food Pantry
To help address hunger within the community First UMC, in partnership with the NH FOOD BANK, operates a weekly Food Pantry weekly. The Pantry is open every Tuesday - 9am to 11:30 pm - the doors open at 8am. For more information call the Church Office @ 603-622-8863. Donations of food are most welcomed! A NH driver's license with current address or a current utility bill is required to register.
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 (603) 622-8863 to book your appointment.
Address :
961 Valley St,
Manchester, NH 03103.
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- Manchester
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- Hillsborough
Karen Angela Carter Memorial Food Pantry
The Karen Angela Carter Memorial Food Pantry. The Food Pantry is open every Tuesday between the hours of: 1:00PM and 5:00pm. Also on the first and third Saturdays of each month between the hours of: 11:00AM until 1:00PM. Please have proof of residency when you come.
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 (603) 674-1623 to book your appointment.
Address :
336 Kelly St,
Manchester, NH 03102.
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- Hillsborough
New Hampshire Food Bank
The mission of the New Hampshire Food Bank is to feed hungry people by soliciting and effectively distributing grocery products, perishable foods, and services through a statewide network of approved agencies; by advocating for systemic change; and by educating the public about the nature of, and solutions to, problems of hunger in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of New Hampshire Catholic Charities, serves as the only food bank in the state, working to provide nutritious food and resources to the hundreds of thousands of New Hampshire residents that are food insecure. The Food Bank supplies millions of pounds of food annually to more than 400 partner agencies, including food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, children’s programs, senior centers and more. In turn, these agencies provide hunger relief to those suffering from food insecurity throughout the state.
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 (603) 669-9725 to book your appointment.
Address :
700 E Industrial Park Dr,
Manchester, NH 03109.
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- Hillsborough
New Horizons for New Hampshire
Our mission is to provide food and shelter to people in need and offer supportive services to achieve self-sufficiency. The New Horizons food pantry is available for people residing in Manchester who are suffering extreme financial hardship. Families and individuals can utilize the pantry one time per month and receive pre-packed groceries based on the number of individuals residing in the household. Choices of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and bakery items are also available based on family size. In addition to utilizing the pantry one time per month for the large food distribution, a bread line is open following the pantry distribution times when clients using the Pantry can come and get bakery and perishable items. Pantry clients may access the bread line as many times per month as they need to. The pantry is open for food distribution on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. through 1:00 p.m. as well as Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The bread line is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. while quantities last. First time clients accessing the food pantry need to bring current photo identification, proof of their residence in Manchester, proof of income (pay stub, earnings statement or bank statement), birth certificates for any children residing in the household, and Social Security cards for adults residing in the household. The food pantry relies largely upon donated food items. Many churches, businesses, schools, supermarkets and individuals consistently support the pantry in this way. The New Horizons soup kitchen was the first component to New Horizons expansive services. The soup kitchen began as a group of concerned citizens making soup and sandwiches at their homes and then serving them from a borrowed camper that would go to those impoverished people in need of nutrition. The soup kitchen is now a place where those in need, whose paths in life have met with devastating financial circumstances and the homeless come to receive a hot meal, encouragement and companionship in a place where they are treated with dignity and respect. It serves much more than soup. Dinner always includes a robust salad, entree, sides, dessert and choice of milk, coffee and soft drinks. The soup kitchen serves breakfast for shelter guests daily. It also serves a complete dinner to seniors (over 50) at 3:00 p.m. and for individuals, and their families beginning at 4:30 daily. The soup kitchen typically serves over 200 meals daily.
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 (603) 668-1877 to book your appointment.
Address :
199 Manchester St,
Manchester, NH 03103.
Get Directions
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- Manchester
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- Hillsborough
Saint Raphael Pantry and Hope Chest
When Saint Benedict tells the monks in his Holy Rule “all guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ,†(RB 53:1) he wants to show us that those who come to our door summon us to practical charity, mutual respect and human solidarity. Each week, between 40 to 60 individuals and families in need receive assistance from the Saint Raphael Food Pantry and Hope Chest, a visible witness of how Christ’s command to “love one another as I have love you†is taken up by our parish, inspired by Saint Benedict’s guide to Gospel-living (John 13:34-35). Since 1989, Saint Raphael Parish, a Benedictine parish under the care of Saint Anselm Abbey, has sponsored its 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 (603) 623-2604 to book your appointment.
Address :
103 Walker St,
Manchester, NH 03102.
Get Directions
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- Hillsborough
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 Manchester, New Hampshire
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.