A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Brevard, North Carolina 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 Brevard, North Carolina 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 2 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Brevard, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Salvation Army Hendersonville
We have two food pantries to serve people in Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties. They are located at the following locations:
239 3rd Avenue East, Hendersonville, NC 28792, open Monday-Friday from 9 AM - 12 PM
93 North Broad Street, Brevard, NC 28712, open Monday-Friday from 9 AM - 1 PM
Call your local office for more information.
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 (828) 693-4181 to book your appointment.
Address :
239 3rd Ave E,
Hendersonville, NC 28792.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Henderson
- Polk
- Transylvania
The Salvation Army of Henderson, Polk and Transylvania Counties - Food Pantry (Brevard)
The food pantry is always in need of food to fill the shelves. We are grateful to the Postal Carriers and Henderson County Public Schools that conduct two large food drives for The Salvation Army throughout the year. Because of your generosity were able to assist 1,172 families in 2009 through this effort.
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 to book your appointment.
Address :
93 N Broad St,
Brevard, NC 28712.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Brevard
Help Residents of Counties:
- Transylvania
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Brevard, North Carolina 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 6 Church Food Pantry locations in Brevard, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Biltmore Church of God
The Biltmore Church of God (BCG) wants you to know that you are very welcome in this place. There is a special place here just for you—a place for friendship, a place for learning, a place for enrichment, a place for service, and a place for worship.
BCG offers a Food Pantry every week on Wednesdays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm in the Family Life Center. Please check the gym door for dates we are closed. We will also close due to inclement weather if Buncombe County Schools are closed.
Please visit us to receive services.
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 (828) 274-7351 to book your appointment.
Address :
1390 Sweeten Creek Rd,
Asheville, NC 28803.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- 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
Help Residents of Counties:
- Buncombe
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Madison
- Mcdowell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Transylvania
- Yancey
Calvary Episcopal Church Food Pantry, Inc.
Calvary Episcopal Church Food Pantry, Inc. offers a food pantry to anyone in need of food. Food is provided according to household size and selected by the clients themselves with the help of a volunteer shopping assistant. Clients use shopping carts, and volunteers escort them to their vehicles and help load their items. In addition to packaged foods, we also provide fresh produce, eggs, milk, and bread, as well as frozen meat. We provide roughly 11 pounds of food per person per week. On select Saturdays, the Health Ministry Team from the church offers blood pressure checks and nutrition counseling.
The Pantry is open every Saturday morning from 8:30-11:00 (except the Saturday between Christmas and New Year's Day).
Please visit the pantry to receive services.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- nutrition education
- checkup & test
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 684-6266 to book your appointment.
Address :
2840 Hendersonville Rd,
Fletcher, NC 28732.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- 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
Help Residents of Counties:
- Buncombe
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Mcdowell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Transylvania
Hendersonville Seventh-Day Adventist Church
The Hendersonville Seventh-Day Adventist Church offers a food bank and clothing closet are on site. Winter attire, boxes of groceries, Christmas meals or small gifts, and more may be provided to those living in poverty.
Please visit the community center on Tuesdays from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm to receive services.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 697-4288 to book your appointment.
Address :
124 Haynes St,
Hendersonville, NC 28791.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 02:00 PM
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Henderson
Etowah United Methodist Church
Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry is sponsored by the church with a simple mission: “We are here to provide food to people who are hungry.” Each Client's Family may receive food from the pantry two times per month. Clients may choose any two Saturdays each month the pantry is open.
Please visit the Food Pantry to receive services or contact the church office for additional information at 828-891-4360.
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 (828) 891-4360 to book your appointment.
Address :
110 Brickyard Rd,
Etowah, NC 28729.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- 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
Help Residents of Counties:
- Buncombe
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Mcdowell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Transylvania
First Baptist Church Hendersonville
First Baptist Church provides a hot meal, devotion, food pantry and clothes closet every Thursday for those in need.
Please visit us on Thursdays from 11:00-12:30 pm to receive services or call 828-698-1618 for more information.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
- baby clothes
- clothes for school
- clothes for work
- spiritual support
- meals
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 698-1618 to book your appointment.
Address :
312 5th Ave W,
Hendersonville, NC 28739.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Henderson
Anchor Baptist Church
Anchor Baptist Church (ABC) is an Independent Baptist Church located in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Our goal is to expound the Word of God, evangelize the lost, empower and support missions around the world, edify and equip the saints, encourage the weak and exemplify the Lord Jesus Christ until He comes.
ABC Missions supplies groceries free to anyone who is in need and qualifies income-wise.
Please visit our Warehouse, located behind the church, during its hours of operation to receive services.
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 (828) 877-2978 to book your appointment.
Address :
3232 Old Hendersonville Hwy,
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- 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
Help Residents of Counties:
- Henderson
- Transylvania
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 Brevard, North Carolina 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 Brevard, North Carolina 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 Brevard, North Carolina 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 Brevard, North Carolina 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 Brevard, North Carolina 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 Brevard, 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 Brevard, North Carolina 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 Brevard, North Carolina 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 Brevard, North Carolina 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 9 Food Pantry locations in Brevard, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Loving Food Resources
Loving Food Resources provides food, health and personal care items to people in 18 counties of Western North Carolina who are living with HIV/AIDS or who are in home hospice care with any diagnosis.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- personal care items
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 255-9282 to book your appointment.
Address :
,
San Diego, CA 92109.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- 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
Help Residents of Counties:
- Avery
- Buncombe
- Burke
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Graham
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Jackson
- Macon
- Madison
- Mcdowell
- Mitchell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Swain
- Transylvania
- Watauga
- Yancey
YMCA of Western North Carolina
The Healthy Living Pantry (HLP) is a resource to families in Asheville and surrounding communities who need temporary food assistance. The goal of our pantry is to provide food assistance and create lifelong healthy eating habits by providing fresh produce, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Cooking demonstrations include ingredients offered in the pantry that week so participants learn how best to cook the food they receive. Nutrition and cooking demonstrations start at 4:35pm on scheduled nights and distribution is 5pm–6:30pm.
For more information please contact Lisa Riggsbee, healthy living manager-nutrition programs, at lriggsbee@ymcawnc.org or 828 775 7081.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
- nutrition education
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 775-7081 to book your appointment.
Address :
201 Beaverdam Rd,
Asheville, NC 28804.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- 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
Help Residents of Counties:
- Alexander
- Alleghany
- Ashe
- Avery
- Buncombe
- Burke
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Cleveland
- Graham
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Jackson
- Macon
- Madison
- Mcdowell
- Mitchell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Stokes
- Surry
- Swain
- Transylvania
- Watauga
- Wilkes
- Yancey
The Storehouse Food Pantry
Our main project is an ongoing program to feed the hungry in Henderson County. This program provides an assortment of dry groceries. We also try to provide cleaning, hygiene, personal care items and some over-the-counter medications, none of which are covered by food stamps. The food program currently feeds 225-250 families per month. We are constantly receiving new referrals from other agencies in our community. We serve people and families of all age ranges. The Storehouse does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, ethnic origin, or religious affiliation.
Referral on letterhead required. Clients are referred to The Storehouse through various social agencies, pastors, churches, doctors or schools. Clients under the age of 60 are given assistance for a limited period of time. These clients are given the opportunity to participate in an interagency basic budgeting class to help them learn to manage their finances. Since clients over the age of 60 are unlikely to see their financial situation improve, they are eligible to receive services, as needed, for the duration of their lives.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- blankets & fans
- personal care items
- financial education
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Hendersonville, NC 28793.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- 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
Help Residents of Counties:
- Henderson
Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM)
Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM) offers crisis assistance including food, clothing, heat, utilities, rent, medication and other basic needs.
Coordination of Assistance is also offered through other local human service agencies to prevent duplication of services and ensure clients receive help they need.
IAM also offers A HAND UP to clients who are encouraged to participate in the creation of an ACTION PLAN with steps they can follow in financial and other areas to improve or develop self-sufficiency. These plans include referrals to other agencies and individual action steps required of the client such as attending a budget workshop.
Interfaith Assistance Ministry is open for services on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm. Appointments may also be made in some cases. Call 828-697-7029 for more information.
Services provided :
- emergency payments
- help pay for food
- help pay for healthcare
- help pay for utilities
- food pantry
- clothing
- navigating the system
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (828) 697-7029 to book your appointment.
Address :
210 Ehringhaus St,
Hendersonville, NC 28739.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Henderson
God's Way Food Pantry
Saturday 10:00am - 12:00pm
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 (828) 884-6371 to book your appointment.
Address :
525 Tanasee Gap Rd,
Balsam Grove, NC 28708.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Balsam Grove
Help Residents of Counties:
- Transylvania
Bread of Life
We believe that no one in our county should go hungry. We recognize that aiding those who lack basic needs requires a sustained coordinated effort, which should provide secure housing and nutritious meals; essential physical health care, abuse aftercare and mental-health; as well as personal development and empowerment. We actively support new initiatives that will benefit our clients.
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 (828) 877-3577 to book your appointment.
Address :
238 S Caldwell St,
Brevard, NC 28712.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Brevard
Help Residents of Counties:
- Transylvania
Sharing House
Sharing House was founded in 1981 when several local congregations committed their faith, heart, resources and hands to one simple mission: "To love our neighbors as ourselves." Today we are over 40 congregations and thousands of individuals and businesses who work together to alleviate suffering in our county. Sharing House is a source of compassion and crisis assistance for our low-income (up to 200% above poverty line) neighbors in Transylvania County, where we offer food and fresh produce, gently-used clothes, rent and utility assistance, household goods, camping equipment, hot showers, a safe place to share stories of struggle... and a refuge of social interaction. We also empower people who seek paths to self-reliance, through special programs such as "Wheels to Work" and the Bridges Out of Poverty mentoring class called "Getting Ahead". Transylvania Christian Ministry seeks to make real the incarnation love of God to all who come through our doors, whether as someone seeking assistance or a volunteer. Instead of viewing our ministry as "to the poor", we are intentionally changing our language and practice to being in ministry "for all". Being in ministry with one another, where everyone experiences an abundance of grace, brings about a mutuality of relationship. We all become vulnerable. No one is left at arms length away. We discover we all have something to give. We all have deep needs for a better life. We all have power and a sense of belonging. We have shared life! Sharing House is a place where we can see this kind of love in action, embodied in the very people who gather here. When the door opens, there is a buzz of welcoming words. Minds and hearts come together to solve problems. Resources of food, clothes and money are shared when there are identified needs. We work together to teach and encourage one another about the struggles our community faces in helping everyone to thrive.
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 (828) 884-2866 to book your appointment.
Address :
164 Duckworth Ave,
Brevard, NC 28712.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Brevard
Help Residents of Counties:
- Transylvania
New Creation ICCC - PB&J (People Being Jesus)
This is a special ministry of our faith community with those who are hungry, homeless, and vulnerable, especially friends with developmental delays. It's more than just a sandwich; it's about relationships. This ministry is already making a tremendous impact by assisting the congregation with the Feed My Sheep Project. This project provides food bags to congregants to keep in their cars to hand out to people whom they encounter at stop lights and street corners who are hungry. The bags contain non-perishable food items as well as personal care items and a blessings. We share a meal with hungry and homeless friends every Tuesday @ 5pm and have a Bible Study following. We also have a food pantry and share Feed My Sheep bags as needed to those who are hungry. We have breakfast the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month with a short worship and communion service following.
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 (828) 693-4303 to book your appointment.
Address :
500 7th Ave E,
Hendersonville, NC 28792.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hendersonville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Henderson
The Storehouse
The Storehouse is a Christ-centered food and hygiene pantry for the needy in Henderson County. Hours: Wednesday - Friday 9am-2pm
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 (828) 692-8300 to book your appointment.
Address :
1049 Spartanburg Hwy,
Hendersonville, NC 28739.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Hendersonville
Help Residents of Counties:
- Henderson
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 Brevard, North Carolina
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.