Trinity UMC Lord's Pantry of Hackettstown, New Jersey

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The Lord’s Pantry is a food distribution ministry that provides free food to those in need. Guests are invited to receive food once a month. Volunteers pick up food, stock shelves, assist guests and do related tasks. The pantry is located in the “Barn” – adjacent to our main parking lot. The Lord’s Pantry is committed to providing nutritious food to residents of the Hackettstown area as a supplement to their regular food shopping. It is here for you in your time of need. All food is generously donated by members of Trinity United Methodist Church and many other residents/organizations/ businesses of the community. Recipients are allowed to select what they want using a shopping guide based on the number of people in their household. (All people living at one address are considered one family.) This method allows freedom of choice and eliminates waste. The Pantry’s intention is to provide families with basic nutritious food. Dessert items, snacks, coffee, etc. will be available only when donations are received. In addition to our regular food program, the Lord’s Pantry offers a supplemental USDA program to those who qualify: WIC, Medicaid, Food Stamp Program, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplement Security Income (SSI) or Low Income per current state guidelines. Anyone who has a least one of these qualifiers can receive USDA food, regardless of where they reside.

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 (908) 852-3020 to book your appointment.

Address :

213 Main St,
Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon:
  • Tues:
  • Wed:
  • Thurs:
  • Fri:
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Hackettstown

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Warren

Appointments

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.

For the full set of services, you can call (908) 852-3020 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.

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.