We found 22 food pantries listed for Union County, New Jersey. Call before you go to confirm hours and what to bring. You can also see Food banks in Union County, New Jersey.
Salvation Army Food Pantry Locations
We have located 4 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Union, New Jersey. You can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Elizabeth Temple
Phone: (908) 352-7057
Address: 1005 E Jersey St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Bible Study - Correspondence
- Camping Activities
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Military Personnel Assistance
- Missing Persons
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Senior Citizens Residences
- Visitation Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
Call (908) 352-7057 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
The Salvation Army - VENTURA, CA: Corps Community Center
Phone: (805) 659-3598
Address: 650 South Ave, petit ventura, Plainfield, NJ 07062. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Casework Services
- Christian Education
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Group Work Services
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Transitional Housing
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
Appointments :
Call (805) 659-3598 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
The Salvation Army - Austin Worship and Service Center
Phone: (507) 437-4566
Address: 409 1st Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07206. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Bible Study - Correspondence
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Day Camp Activities
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Shelter
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Music & Arts Programs
- Seasonal Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
Appointments :
Call (507) 437-4566 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union County
The Salvation Army - Plainfield Corps
Phone: (908) 756-2595
Address: 615 Watchung Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07060. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Services provided :
- Bible Study - Correspondence
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Camping Activities
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation & Education Programs
- Community Recreation Programs
- Detoxification Services
- Disaster Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Latchkey Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Missing Persons
- Music & Arts Programs
- Rehabilitation
- Residential Camping Activities
- Seasonal Services
- Women's Ministries
- Worship Services - Children's / Teen
- Worship Services - Church
- Worship Services - Sunday School
- Worship Services - Young Adult
- Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Appointments :
Call (908) 756-2595 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Church Food Pantry Locations
We have located 4 Church Food Pantry locations in Union, New Jersey. You can also check your eligibility.
Starfish Food Pantry, Inc. Of Plainfield At Covenant United Methodist Church
Phone: (908) 755-8888
Address: 631 E Front St, Plainfield, NJ 07062. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
We are a group of volunteers from Plainfield and the surrounding area who belong to a tax exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. We operate three days each week throughout the year, preparing and distributing grocery food orders to an average of thirty to thirty-five families in need each week. Our primary function is to maintain the food pantry. Our volunteers pack and deliver grocery food orders to clients who have been referred to us by local social service agencies. Using a referral system helps us better manage our resources. These agencies vet the client to help assure that our limited resources are given to those truly in need. We also prepare special food orders for 160 families at Easter, Thanksgiving, and at Christmas.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 755-8888 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Plainfield
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church Food Pantry
Phone: (908) 688-3164
Address: 888 Stuyvesant Ave, Union, NJ 07083. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Hours: once a month on Saturday - 10:00 AM at Gym
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 688-3164 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Union
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Liberty Baptist Church - Food and Clothing Ministry
Phone: (908) 354-3362
Address: 515-517 Court St, Elizabeth, NJ 07206. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Culinary Ministry and Kindness Kitchen consists of a faithful Assembly of God’s servants who possess a heart of compassion for those who lack life’s basic needs. A weekly feeding program provides physical nourishment and spiritual enrichment to encourage everyone in Christ. This ministry also offers clothing, toiletries and whatever other resources may be needed. In addition, we offer “Operation Warmheart†in conjunction with Social Services during the winter months to offer overnight shelter and food for the homeless.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 354-3362 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Elizabeth
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Mount Teman Church Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen
Phone: (908) 351-2625
Address: 160 Madison Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
For 155 years, God has blessed Mt. Teman African Methodist Episcopal Church and the church has stood at the very center of life in Elizabeth’s African American community. This site provides a pantry and soup kitchen
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 351-2625 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Elizabeth
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Helping Hands Food Pantry Locations
We have located 1 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in Union, New Jersey. You can also check your eligibility.
Helping Hands Church of Saint Joseph the Carpenter
Phone: (908) 241-1250
Address: 160 E 3rd Ave, Roselle, NJ 07203. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Helping Hands Food Pantry served once a month from 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 241-1250 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Roselle
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Food Pantry Locations
We have located 13 Food Pantry locations in Union, New Jersey. You can also check your eligibility.
New York City Relief (NYCr)
Phone: (800) 736-2773
Address: 295 Walnut St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. Get Directions
Listed hours, call to confirm:
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
The Relief Bus outreach consists of two former school buses now customized into mobile resource centers to help the poor and homeless. Friendly faces serve up a delicious, hearty vegetable soup that truly tantalizes the taste buds, fresh Portuguese rolls and hot chocolate or iced tea. People on the streets show up for the great food, but come away with so much more.
Staff and volunteers go out of their way to really LOVE people. Many people on the streets are in a hard place in life and need a friend- someone to talk to who will really listen. Visit the website for a full list of times and locations, as it is subject to change.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- personal hygiene
- meals
Appointments :
Call (800) 736-2773 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- New York
CAPC Soup Kitchen
Phone: (908) 756-2468
Address: 716 Watchung Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07060. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Many individuals and families in Plainfield have been hit particularly hard financially. The numbers of those who are on the streets or living in shelters is on the rise. People are left hungry but thanks to the generosity of the Keyes Foundation, other generous donors and dedicated volunteers, fewer are hungry and hope is found here once again. On Tuesdays, a full lunch is served beginning at noon under the auspices of the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church's Soup Kitchen (CAPC Soup Kitchen) in Plainfield, NJ. Volunteers gather at 9 a.m. to begin preparations and ensure all is ready for the lunch guests. Church groups and other volunteer organizations are welcomed to come and help with the preparation and serving! Quoted as being 'The Olive Garden of Plainfield' the CAPC Soup Kitchen is open to all and exists completely on the gifts of others. Costco donates food goods as well. 100% of donations goes directly towards foodstuffs.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 756-2468 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Plainfield
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
RFFF Diabetic Program
Phone: (732) 381-7201
Address: 1221 New Brunswick Ave, Rahway, NJ 07065. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Every 3rd Monday of the Month
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (732) 381-7201 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Rahway
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Saint John the Apostle Pantry
Phone: (732) 388-1216
Address: 1805 Penbrook Ter, Linden, NJ 07036. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Provides a food pantry
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (732) 388-1216 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Linden
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Grace’s Kitchen
Phone: (908) 756-7897
Address: 600 Cleveland Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07060. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Grace’s Kitchen serves a hot lunch the last five days (excluding Sundays and holidays) of every month at Grace Episcopal Church.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 756-7897 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Plainfield
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
RFFF Soup Kitchen
Phone: (732) 381-7201
Address: 1731 Church St, Rahway, NJ 07065. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
RFFF Soup Kitchen: Every Saturday of the month at First Presbyterian Church
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (732) 381-7201 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Rahway
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Westfield Food Pantry at Holy Trinity
Phone: (908) 233-0484
Address: 336 First St, Westfield, NJ 07090. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
For the past 30 years, the Westfield Food Pantry at Holy Trinity has been located in the Holy Trinity Interparochial School at 336 First Street. The pantry and its services have grown tremendously from its early days. We now provide food to approximately 125 families a month all of whom are referred by social service agencies throughout Union County. We are open five mornings a week with volunteers from Holy Trinity, United Methodist Church, Temple Emmanu-El, the Westfield Service League, St. Helen’s Church and Redeemer Lutheran Church sorting, stocking shelves and packing food orders.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 233-0484 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Westfield
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Cranford-Elmora Soup Kitchen
Phone: (908) 352-0519
Address: 402 Union St, Elizabeth, NJ 07208. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The Cranford-Elmora Soup Kitchen has been providing meals for our hungry neighbors for 25 years. FPCC members make up two out of eight teams that cook for and serve approximately 100 men, women, and children at the First Baptist Church in Elizabeth each week.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 352-0519 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Elizabeth
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey - Food Pantry
Phone: (908) 352-8375
Address: 655 Westfield Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07208. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
JFS is the only Kosher Food Pantry in Union County. We provide a monthly non-perishable food package to eligible individuals and families.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 352-8375 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Elizabeth
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
Elizabethport Presbyterian Center - Food Pantry
Phone: (908) 351-4850
Address: 184 First St, Elizabeth, NJ 07206. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Our Food Pantry and Clothing Distribution programs serve those in need of food assistance and clothing. Most of our clients are either laid off, disabled, elderly, or underemployed. The pantry is open on the last week of every month on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 351-4850 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Elizabeth
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
StreetLight Food Pantry
Phone: (908) 820-8324
Address: 1181 E Broad St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
The StreetLight Food Pantry served approximately 2,000 households in 2014. This equated to 21,000 food pantries. While operating under other names the food pantry has been providing groceries since July of 1997. We assist guests in accessing food stamps, food pantries and meals from other resources. Presently, the StreetLight Food Pantry distributes an average of 890 nutritious Lunch/snack bags each month. For many people this is the only food they will have for the day. For the past 10 years we have provided a light dinner on Sunday evenings. These meals are prepared by various groups once a month. This year, we have already served more than 16,000 meals.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 820-8324 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Elizabeth
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
St. Teresa's 'Loaves & Fishes' Food Pantry
Phone: (908) 277-3700
Address: 306 Morris Ave, Summit, NJ 07901. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Loaves & Fishes is a long-standing outreach at St Teresa’s to help the local needy. We maintain a food pantry in the basement of the church and stock non-perishable food items for weekly distribution to approximately 50 local families. The food comes from donations from our parishioners as well as the many local food drives that take place throughout the year.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 277-3700 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Summit
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
St. Joseph Social Service Center Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry
Phone: (908) 352-2989
Address: 118 Division St, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. Get Directions
Hours: Call for hours
Soup Kitchen: Thanks to our many community partners, St. Joseph’s provides a hot meal on Saturday at 11:30 AM to people in need. Food Pantry: Together with the Community Food Bank, our dedicated volunteers, and community contributors, St. Joseph's distributes food to clients in our geographic service area. Hungry people are not always who you would imagine; they come from all walks of life. Some receive public assistance, but many are children, seniors and the working poor. Many people do have jobs but, no matter how hard they work, they are simply earning too little to feed their families and also pay basic expenses. We know that our work helps to feed these people in need.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
Call (908) 352-2989 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Cities:
- Elizabeth
Help Residents of Counties:
- Union
A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Union, New Jersey 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 Union, New Jersey 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 Union, New Jersey 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 Union, New Jersey 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 Union, New Jersey 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 Union, New Jersey, 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 Union, New Jersey 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 Union, New Jersey 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 Union, New Jersey.
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.