A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Rensselaer, New York 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 Rensselaer, New York 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 Rensselaer, New York which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - Troy Temple Corps
Services provided :
- Camping Activities
- Casework Services
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Disaster Services
- Food & Nutrition
- Food & Nutrition Programs
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts 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 (518) 272-4901 to book your appointment.
Address :
410 River St,
Troy, NY 12180.
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Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Rensselaer, New York 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 1 Church Food Pantry locations in Rensselaer, New York which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Saint Joseph's Church - Food Pantry
Operates a Food Pantry to people in certain areas of Troy who are allowed to get food once a month. Hours: Mon-Thu 9:00 am-12:00 pm
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 (518) 274-6720 to book your appointment.
Address :
416 Third St,
Troy, NY 12180.
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- Troy
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- Rensselaer
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 Rensselaer, New York 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 1 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Rensselaer, New York which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Catholic Charities Tri-County Services - CoNSERNS-U
Services include a food pantry, information and referral service, advocacy, clothing, back-to-school, emergency assistance, and holiday gift and food distributions. Casework services are also provided to individuals and families throughout rural Rensselaer County.
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 (518) 463-8571 to book your appointment.
Address :
50 Herrick St,
Rensselaer, NY 12144.
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Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Rensselaer, New York 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 Rensselaer, New York 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 Rensselaer, New York 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 Rensselaer, 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 Rensselaer, New York 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 Rensselaer, New York 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 Rensselaer, New York 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 10 Food Pantry locations in Rensselaer, New York which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Nassau Resource Center
This is an ecumenical food pantry and clothing exchange sponsored by the Nassau Reformed Church. It is staffed by volunteers who keep the cupboards stocked and clothing neat, clean, and stylish. There is no charge for the food or clothing. The Resource Center is open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday mornings from 9 'til noon, and Thursday evening from 7 PM 'til 8:30 PM.Many volunteers work to prepare Thanksgiving baskets for about 100 families in our communities. The basket includes all the fixings for a turkey dinner plus food for several additional meals. Christmas baskets will also be provided by many willing hands.There is a good supply of clothing available for men, women, and children.
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 (518) 766-9014 to book your appointment.
Address :
43 Church St,
Nassau, NY 12123.
Get Directions
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New Hope For Life Ministries - The Gathering Place Food Pantry
New Hope for Life has a food pantry and a thrift shop at The Gathering Place. The thrift shop offers clothing, household items, and furniture. Also accepts donations of furniture, clothing, and household items to sell in its thrift shop. Food Pantry: Tue, Thu 5:00 pm-7:00 pm and Fri 10:00 am-1:00 pm / Thrift Shop: Tue, Thu 12:00 noon-7:00 pm, Wed, Fri 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Sat 10:00 am-1:00 pm
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 (518) 766-4164 to book your appointment.
Address :
1 Fairgrounds St,
Nassau, NY 12123.
Get Directions
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- Nassau
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Brunswick Cares Community Food Pantry
Our mission is to provide supplemental food assistance to people in need in the Brunswick Church community and surrounding neighborhoods, demonstrating God's concern for all. Brunswick Cares Community Food Pantry is open on Tuesday, 5pm-7pm and Saturday, 9am-11am You will need proof of identification as well as proof of residency (ex. utility bill, recent postmarked envelope from ssi or other assistance organization). If you live closer to another area food pantry, we will refer you to that pantry in the future
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 (518) 279-3792 to book your appointment.
Address :
42 White Church Ln,
Troy, NY 12180.
Get Directions
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- Troy
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- Rensselaer
CEO’s Food Pantry
CEO’s Food Pantry provides safe and nutritious food to people are in need. For emergency situations, CEO’s Food Pantry can provide food for three meals a day, for up to three days for each household member, twice a month. This can help you “bridge the gap†until we can help you find a permanent solution to help you get back on your feet. When accessing the pantry, CEO staff will help you choose the food of your choice in order to meet the needs of your family. We do this to reduce waste, because you won’t be given food you won’t use. However, you will be encouraged to make healthy and responsible food choices and create a balanced food package. CEO’s Food Pantry services are available to all Rensselaer County residents. On your first visit, you must provide a picture ID for yourself and all adults in your household as well as birth certificates for all children in your household. Please also bring proof of residency. For future visits, a picture ID will be required. Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
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 (518) 272-6012 to book your appointment.
Address :
2328 Fifth Ave,
Troy, NY 12180.
Get Directions
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Hope 7 Food Pantry
Our Food Pantry started with humble beginnings in 1987, operating out of literally a closet in our Center. Today we have a much larger, cheerful spot in the home of Pawling Avenue United Methodist Church from which we serve families 3 day/3 meals per day packages of basic staples, meat, fresh produce, breads and bakery items, and milk. We also provide life-essential non-food items such as diapers, toiletries, personal hygiene items, and household cleaning supplies. We are happy to say we can also help people care, and in many cases, keep their beloved pets, with regular donations of cat and dog food for those special companions that help so many get through their rough times. We also offer to connect our clients to resources that may assist them. When? Monday thru Friday, 9:30-11:45am for last client admitted Thursday evening 5-7pm, in addition to the morning hours Last Saturday of each month-9:30-11:45amRequirements: Proof of residence and IDs for each person in household Please live on Troy’s East Side or N. Greenbush No income requirements-simply a sincere need for help
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 (518) 272-8029 to book your appointment.
Address :
596 Pawling Ave,
Troy, NY 12180.
Get Directions
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- Troy
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Missing Link Street Ministry Mission
Missing Link Street Ministry Mission offers a Food Pantry Sat 9:00 am-12:00 noon
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 (518) 421-5222 to book your appointment.
Address :
3370 6th Ave,
Troy, NY 12182.
Get Directions
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Mount Ida Food Pantry
Mount Ida community Food Pantry is a non-for-profit organization run by volunteers to provide groceries to those finding it difficult to feed their families nutritious meals. We are a member of both The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY and The Food Pantries for the Capital District. No referral required. Usually just 1 visit per month - Sat 10:00 am-12:00 noon
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 (518) 272-1115 to book your appointment.
Address :
560 Congress St,
Troy, NY 12180.
Get Directions
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Roarke Center - Food Pantry
The Roarke Center, a program of Catholic Charities, is an outreach center for people in Rensselaer County. For persons living in downtown and south Troy, once a month, emergency food for 3-4 days is provided to elderly, singles and famlies in need. Efforts are made to provide nutritious foods. Pantry Hours: Mon and Fri 90:00 am-3:00 pm, Tuesday-Thu 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
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 (518) 273-8351 to book your appointment.
Address :
107 4th St,
Troy, NY 12180.
Get Directions
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Unity House
The Food Pantry provides three-day supplies of food, diapers, formula and baby food to parents in need. Annually the Pantry provides a holiday meals program, providing groceries for complete Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for families. The food pantry is open weekdays until 4:30 with extended hours on Thursdays, when it remains open until 7:00pm. In 2012 the Bethany Hospitality Center merged with Unity House. Now called Bethany Community Meals, this meals program and resource center serves lunch seven days a week. All are welcome in our dining room where guests can enjoy a meal at restaurant style seating. Guests are invited to access a wide range of human services through Unity House, including laundry and shower facilities. Bethany is located on the second floor of Unity House’s Front Door at 2431 Sixth Avenue in Troy.
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 (518) 274-2607 to book your appointment.
Address :
2431 Sixth Ave,
Troy, NY 12180.
Get Directions
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- Troy
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- Rensselaer
YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.
Our Food Pantry provides a 3-day (9 meals) emergency food package to residents of the YWCA-GCR and residents of the Greater Capital Region. The YWCA-GCR Food Pantry provides emergency food to approximately 100 households per month. The food pantry is open 4 days per week. Food pantry customers are allotted one 3-day food package once every 30 days. Driver license or a photo identification card of the person requesting access to the food pantry. Food Pantry Hours: Monday: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Thursday: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The YWCA-GCR Community Meal is served every Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m.- 7:00pm. YWCA-GCR residents as well as members of the community are welcome to join us each week for a free nutrition cooked meal. My Sister's Closet provides free next-to-new professional and casual clothing for the YWCA-GCR residents and women in the community. Everyone is welcome to visit My Sister's Closet. No referral needed.
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 (518) 274-7100 to book your appointment.
Address :
21 First St,
Troy, NY 12180.
Get Directions
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- Troy
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- Rensselaer
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 Rensselaer, New York
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.