Food Pantry in Fayetteville, North Carolina

A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

The Salvation Army - FAYETTEVILLE, NC

Services provided :

  • Camping Activities
  • Casework Services
  • Character Building Programs
  • Community Recreation & Education Programs
  • Community Recreation Programs
  • Day Camp Activities
  • Disaster Services
  • Domestic Violence Services
  • Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Emergency Shelter
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Food & Nutrition Programs
  • Men's Ministries
  • Music & Arts Programs
  • Seasonal Services
  • Senior Citizen Clubs
  • Store
  • 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 (910) 483-8119 to book your appointment.

Address :

220 E Russell St,
Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Cumberland

The Salvation Army of Fayetteville - Love Lunch

Every day harried businessmen and women rush to appointments, run errands, or grab a bite to eat before heading back to the office; their lives a maze of "to do" lists and busy routines. For folks facing tough times, however, 12 noon may signify a bright spot in days otherwise clouded by worry over late bills or limited job prospects. Everyday, caring hands of volunteers carefully prepare The Salvation Army's "Love Lunch" with just such recipients in mind. As many as 120 individuals benefit daily from a hot mid-day meal at The Salvation Army Alexander Street location in Fayetteville. The Salvation Army now also provides a hot meal to the public at 5pm daily. 365 days per year, The Salvation Army feeds those in need in our community. Fifty meals per day are also sent out to those in need in Hope Mills through The Alms House. An average total for one day is over 300 meals through The Salvation Army Feeding Program.

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 (910) 485-8026 to book your appointment.

Address :

245 Alexander St,
Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Fayetteville

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Cumberland

Church Food Pantry

A number of churches around Fayetteville, 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 2 Church Food Pantry locations in Fayetteville, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Galatia Presbyterian Church

The Food Pantry of Galatia Presbyterian Church helps alleviate hunger in the community.

Our food pantry provides food to meet basic nutritional needs for individuals and families in need. Our clients are children, adults or senior citizens with limited or no income, who simply have fallen on hard times or recently unemployed and simply need assistance to make ends meet.

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 (910) 867-0656 to book your appointment.

Address :

8800 Galatia Church Rd,
Fayetteville, NC 28304.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: Closed
  • Tues: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
  • Wed: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
  • Thurs: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
  • Fri: 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Fayetteville

Reilly Road Presbyterian Church Food Pantry

Established in 2008, our Food Pantry is a vital outreach to our local Fayetteville and Ft. Bragg communities. Families in need can come to the Food Pantry for non-perishable food items. The Food Pantry is open on Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please call the church at (910) 867-5773 if you need assistance.

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 (910) 867-5773 to book your appointment.

Address :

208 S Reilly Rd,
Fayetteville, NC 28314.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Fayetteville

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Cumberland

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 Fayetteville, 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 2 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Fayetteville, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh- Fayetteville

Catholic Charities of the diocese of Raleigh provides tangible assistance to meet basic needs of families by responding with food, clothing, baby items, and/or some limited discretionary financial assistance.

The Fayetteville Food Pantry is open from 9 AM to 12 PM Monday through Friday.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • baby supplies
  • 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 (910) 424-2020 to book your appointment.

Address :

726 Ramsey St,
Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Cumberland

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh - Food Pantry (Fayetteville)

Catholic Charities of the diocese of Raleigh provides tangible assistance to meet basic needs of families by responding with food, clothing, baby items, and/or some limited discretionary financial assistance. Catholic Charities does more than just distribute food and other assistance. The food pantries give hope to families by treating them with dignity and respect. Additionally, when families visit a Catholic Charities food pantry seeking emergency assistance, they are screened for other needs which Catholic Charities can help with. Once other areas of need are identified, families are invited to participate in programs aimed at reducing the families’ need to rely on emergency assistance. Food Pantry - M-F: 9:00am - 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 (910) 424-2020 to book your appointment.

Address :

10 11,
Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Fayetteville

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Cumberland

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, 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 12 Food Pantry locations in Fayetteville, North Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Cliffdale Christian Center

The Food Pantry at Cliffdale Christian Center provides food to those in need. This is a service to the community that is part of the church’s local mission in reaching the homeless, low income and destitute (needy), to actively carry out the Great Commission and be a place where love works. We treat everyone with the highest level of dignity and respect.

Our pantry is open the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month and is located in the Log Building of our campus. We also hand out clothes, hygiene items, and sometimes a hot meal when resources allow.

Documentation Required:

• Photo ID

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • meals
  • clothing
  • 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 (910) 864-4911 to book your appointment.

Address :

6427 Cliffdale Rd,
Fayetteville, NC 28314.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: Closed
  • Tues: Closed
  • Wed: Closed
  • Thurs: 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Fri: Closed
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Fayetteville

American Indian Mothers

AIMI Meal/Food Bank program provides emergency shelter, food and clothing, jobs training, continuing education and transportation to Indian families. For more information call 910-843-9911.

Services provided :

  • temporary shelter
  • food pantry
  • clothing
  • transportation
  • skills & training

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (910) 843-9911 to book your appointment.

Address :

,
Red Springs, NC 28377.
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:

  • Robeson
  • Cumberland
  • Hoke

Action Pathways

Backpack program provides wholesome and nutritious food to elementary school students each Thursday for distribution at schools on Friday. Each student receives enough food for the weekend to supplement meals otherwise not available.
For more information contact us at 910-485-6923.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • 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 (910) 485-6923 to book your appointment.

Address :

406 Deep Creek Rd,
Fayetteville, NC 28312.
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:

  • Cumberland

Agape Pregnancy Support Services

Agape Pregnancy Support Services include abstinence education, abortion effects, free pregnancy tests, prenatal care, birthing classes, maternity clothing/equipment, pregnancy information, postpartum care, abortion alternatives, counseling, support groups and abortion counseling. We have ultra sound machines to give free ultra sounds up to 12 weeks as needed. For the support of our clients, we now have a food pantry and children's clothing from 0-4T and baby equipment. Hours of operation are Monday Warsaw (1st & 3rd Monday) 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Tuesday Fayetteville 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Elizabethtown 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Wednesday Lumberton 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Friday Clinton 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Fayetteville 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • baby supplies
  • baby clothes
  • clothing
  • sex education
  • checkup & test
  • pregnancy tests
  • maternity care
  • counseling
  • navigating the system
  • support groups

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (910) 485-0055 to book your appointment.

Address :

[100 - 999] E Russell St, P.O BOX 20084 710,
Fayetteville, NC 28301.
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 Cities:

  • Fayetteville
  • Elizabethtown
  • Clinton
  • Warsaw
  • Lumberton

Tigapa Village Foundation

Tigapa Village Foundation purpose is to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry by affiliating with Second Harvest Food Bank to help feed those in need in the community.

Services provided :

  • food delivery
  • 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 (910) 835-0159 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:

  • Cumberland

Alms House

Alms House collects and redistributes food to families each day. This food comes from surplus and prepared perishables that make donations to our program. Our goal is to bridge the gaps between individuals income and government benefits. Our emergency food pantry services are available for all clients every four to twelve months. Our food bags include:

• grains
• proteins
• fruits
• vegetables
• meats

Our bags are to make certain our families are eating well balanced and nutritious meals. Referrals are required and can be obtained from the Cumberland County Department of Social Services. For more information please contact us at 910-425-0902 or email almshouse@nc.rr.com

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 (910) 425-0902 to book your appointment.

Address :

3909 Ellison St,
Hope Mills, NC 28348.
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:

  • Cumberland

American Indian Mothers

AIMI Fights Against Hunger program provides food boxes, nutritional meals, after schools programs to needed families through out Robeson and surrounding counties. AIMI has 3 sites in Robeson County, a site in Hoke County, Cumberland and a site in Hertford County.

For more information call 910-843-9911.

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • after school care
  • 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 (910) 843-9911 to book your appointment.

Address :

108 S Main St,
Red Springs, NC 28377.
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:

  • Robeson
  • Cumberland
  • Hertford
  • Hoke

Operation Blessing of Fayetteville, Inc.

This program provides the following to people in need:
• Clothing/Shoes infants to adults
• Undergarments/Diapers
• Small household items
• Blankets/Sleeping Bags
• Canned Fruits/Vegetables
• Canned Meats
• Rice/Pasta
• Breakfast Foods
• Frozen Food

Occasionally, people may experience challenging financial circumstances. For some, this can be an urgent situation. We assist with emergency needs like utility bills, rent/mortgage, etc.

Please call 910-483-1119 if you or someone you know is in need of our assistance.

Services provided :

  • help pay for utilities
  • emergency food
  • food pantry
  • baby supplies
  • clothing
  • help pay for housing

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (910) 483-1119 to book your appointment.

Address :

1337 Ramsey St,
Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
  • Tues: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
  • Wed: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
  • Thurs: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
  • Fri: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Cumberland

Harnett Food Pantry

One family member per household seeking assistance can receive food once per month. Clients must provide a photo identification and proof of residence in Harnett County. Examples include a power bill or water bill indicating the current physical address of the residence. No PO Boxes are accepted. Hours of Operation: Tuesdays: 1:00pm - 4:00pm, Thursdays: 10:00am - 1:00pm.

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 (910) 985-7787 to book your appointment.

Address :

275 Irene Roberts Rd,
Lillington, NC 27546.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Lillington

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Harnett

Abney Food Pantry

The Abney Chapel Pantry feeds the body with physical as well as spiritual food. We accept all referrals and make sure no family goes away hungry. We also sell a variety of vegetarian products . These items move quickly, so if you have a special event planned, please contact the Pantry Leader in advance. The community is served through government commodities once a month. Call the church for the date as it changes monthly. (910-488-8146)

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 (910) 488-8146 to book your appointment.

Address :

2996 Rosehill Rd,
Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Fayetteville

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Cumberland

Healing Hands Of Love Kingdom Connections Int'l Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen

Our ministry has been serving hot meals to our community for over 2 years, and we believe that in our new facility we will be able to supply the need even the more by adding on the packaged food boxes for needy families, etc.

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 (910) 483-6022 to book your appointment.

Address :

601 Ramsey St,
Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Fayetteville

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Cumberland

The Greater Insight Ministries 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 (910) 484-6023 to book your appointment.

Address :

511 513 gillespie St,
Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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

Help Residents of Cities:

  • Fayetteville

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Cumberland

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 Fayetteville, 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.