Phone: (214) 670-8418
Address: Call for address
Listed hours, call to confirm:
- Mon: 07:30 AM - 07:00 PM
- Tues: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
The City of Dallas offers two dynamic focal points for the community and its activities with its multipurpose community centers. The centers enhance the quality of life of its users by providing an assortment of services ranging from health and medical, childcare and family counseling to educational needs and leisure activity.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is located on 10.5 acres and is comprised of five separate buildings. Each facility offers a variety of services. This allows each facility to function independently; however, collectively they provide a comprehensive service delivery system. This unique method allows the citizens of Dallas to come to one location to meet their needs, ranging from health and medical, childcare and family counseling to educational needs and leisure activity.
The community center social services program assists clients by providing:
-Utility bill assistance (water and electric)
-Food assistance
-Rental Information
- Information and referral
-HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS)
- ESG (Emergency Shelter Grants)
Financial services are based on availability of funds. No walk-ins are allowed. Please make an appointment by calling 214.670.8416
The appointment line is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9AM - 11AM.
Services provided :
- help pay for housing
- food pantry
- supplies for work
- medical care
- mental health care
- counseling
- recreation
- navigating the system
- support network
Appointments :
Call (214) 670-8418 to ask about hours, whether you need an appointment, and what to bring.
Help Residents of Counties:
- Dallas
Appointments
Ask whether you need an appointment before you visit.
You can call (214) 670-8418 to ask about appointments, hours, and what to bring.
Need more food help? See Food banks in Dallas County, Texas.
Food Pantry in Near By City
- Addison
- Allen
- Arlington
- Balch Springs
- Bedford
- Carrollton
- Cedar Hill
- Colleyville
- Coppell
- Dallas
- Duncanville
- Euless
- Fate
- Flower Mound
- Forney
- Fort Worth
- Garland
- Grand Prairie
- Grapevine
- Haltom City
- Hurst
- Hutchins
- Irving
- Keller
- Kennedale
- Lake Dallas
- Lancaster
- Lewisville
- Little Elm
- Mansfield
- Mesquite
- Midlothian
- North Richland Hills
- Plano
- Princeton
- Prosper
- Red Oak
- Richardson
- Roanoke
- Rockwall
- Rowlett
- Royse City
- Sachse
- Seagoville
- Southlake
- Sunnyvale
- Terrell
- The Colony
- Waxahachie
- Wylie
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Some food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
This is often a photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Food pantries typically provide shelf-stable items such as:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to a food pantry?
Rules vary by food pantry. Many ask only that you say you need help, while others may ask for ID, proof of address, income information, or a referral. Call ahead to find out what to bring.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry often provides food packages meant to last a few days to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food banks acquire large donations of food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Those organizations then provide this food directly to families in need.