A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Aiken, South 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 Aiken, South 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 1 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Aiken, South Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army - AIKEN, SC
Services provided :
- Boys' & Girls' Club
- Character Building Programs
- Christian Education
- Community Recreation Programs
- Day Camp Activities
- Disaster Services
- Food & Nutrition
- Men's Ministries
- Music & Arts Programs
- Seasonal Services
- Store
- Transitional Housing
- Visitation 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 :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (803) 648-0461 to book your appointment.
Address :
322 Gayle Ave NW,
Aiken, SC 29801.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Aiken
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Aiken, South 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 Aiken, South Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Redd's Branch Baptist Church
Our Bread Ministry provides free bread, pastries, and pizza to feed families and individuals. We serve everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry for food assistance. We serve everyone regardless of their race, color, or religion.
Bread Ministry pick up dates vary each week/month. Check calendar on website for dates.
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 (803) 648-3194 to book your appointment.
Address :
390 Redds Branch Rd,
Aiken, SC 29801.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Aiken
Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS)
ACTS is a non-profit charitable organization (501(c)(3)) and operates only to serve the clients who are in need. Volunteers serve the Lord by handling the needs of people who come to ACTS. An attempt is made to meet both the physical and spiritual needs when clients are interviewed. They are encouraged to become part of a church of their choice, thus making that church aware of their needs.
Our services include:
Food Pantry – Individuals and families can receive food for a week
Senior Food Program – Monthly supplement of groceries for seniors (ages 60 & over)
Clothing– Vouchers for clothing provided to our Resale stores. (includes diapers)
Utilities – Families receive direct payment to utility company to avoid disconnection; or heaters; or fans
Medical – Assistance with necessary medical equipment, prescriptions, procedures, referrals to Lion’s Club for eyeglasses.
Furniture – Furniture provided for burn-outs, Cumbee Center and Nurture Home referrals
Housewares – Provides kitchenware and bedding.
Bicycle Program – Provides bicycle to capable adults for transportation to work, job search, or school
Car Program - Provides working individuals who are struggling financially with transportation to work.
Services provided :
- help pay for healthcare
- help pay for utilities
- food pantry
- diapers & formula
- clothing vouchers
- home goods
- blankets & fans
- furniture
- transportation
- transportation for school
- navigating the system
- spiritual support
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (803) 642-5919 to book your appointment.
Address :
340 Park Ave SW,
Aiken, SC 29801.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Tues: 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Wed: 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Thurs: 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Fri: 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Aiken
- Burke
- Columbia
- Edgefield
- Lincoln
- Mcduffie
- Richmond
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 Aiken, South 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 Aiken, South Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church
Community Ministry of North Augusta (CMONA) serves the needs of the poor in our community. CMONA manages a thrift shop, food distribution center and financial assistance program for those in emergency situations.
Clients are interviewed by trained volunteers to determine their financial needs and eligibility. Clients may receive assistance with food, electric bills, water bills, prescription medications, clothing, and household items.
The following is required when applying for emergency assistance:
- Two Forms of ID - Picture ID (SC Drivers License or SC Picture ID)
- Social Security Cards for everyone living in your household
- Proof of Income and Benefits for all members of household - Copies of pay stubs for the past month. If unemployed, copy of Separation Notice from last company where you worked or letter from Unemployment Office, benefits letter from Social Security, SSI, Child Support and/or alimony
- Household Summary and Food Stamps Budget History from DSS
- Rent/Mortgage receipt or Letter from Housing Authority verifying Housing & Utility Assistance
- Copies of Bills
- All utility bills
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
- home goods
- furniture
- financial assistance
- help pay for utilities
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 :
646 E Buena Vista Ave,
North Augusta, SC 29841.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- Tues: 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- Wed: 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- Thurs: 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- Fri: 09:30 AM - 05:30 PM
- Sat: 09:30 AM - 04:00 PM
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- North Augusta
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center's food pantry provides emergency food to feed families and individuals in need. We serve everyone from low income families, single parents, senior citizens, unemployed individuals, disabled veterans, working poor, and anyone else that comes to the pantry for food assistance. We serve everyone regardless of their race, color, or religion.
Our pantry serves the Horse Creek Valley community.
Call to find out more information about dates and times.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- 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 (803) 593-2634 to book your appointment.
Address :
2443 Augusta Rd,
Gloverville, SC 29828.
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:
- Aiken
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Aiken, South 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 Aiken, South 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 Aiken, South 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 Aiken, 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 Aiken, South 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 Aiken, South 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 Aiken, South 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 3 Food Pantry locations in Aiken, South Carolina which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Beulah Grove Community Resource Center Inc
Food Pantry Program provides emergency food supply to individuals and families. Services are provided to the first ten customers on days of operation. Emergency referrals are handled after hours.
Call at 706-722-4999 for information.
Services provided :
- emergency food
- food pantry
- 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 (706) 722-4999 to book your appointment.
Address :
,
San Diego, CA 92109.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Aiken
- Columbia
- Richmond
Christ Central Institute (CCI)
New Ellenton Mission Station program provides food and clothing distribution, life skills, adult education, youth after-school education, mentoring and recovery support.
For more information call 803-295-2089 or email us at christcentralne@gmail.com.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- clothing
- daily life skills
- after school care
- mentoring
- more 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 (803) 295-2508 to book your appointment.
Address :
412 Main St,
New Ellenton, SC 29809.
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:
- Aiken
Chapin We Care Center
Chapin We Care Center serves as an outreach ministry for churches in the Chapin, Little Mountain, White Rock, Peak, Pomaria, and Prosperity communities to serve the poor and needy, with the support of our affiliated churches, local businesses, civic organizations, and individuals. Our center coordinates resources to act as a single point of service for our clients. We work with families and individuals in the Chapin community facing emergencies in their basic living needs.
Food assistance is available every 30 days to qualifying candidates living in our service area. There is no charge to clients for services received.
We Care Center is here to provide assistance to our neighbors who have fallen on hard times in Chapin or the surrounding areas. If you need a hand to get back on your feet, contact us at 803-345-3244 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 to book your appointment.
Address :
1800 Chapin Rd,
Chapin, SC 29036.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Aiken
- Calhoun
- Lexington
- Newberry
- Orangeburg
- Richland
- Saluda
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 Aiken, South 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.