A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Fresno, Texas 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 Fresno, Texas 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 Fresno, Texas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center
Services provided :
- Drop Box
- Salvation Army Family Store
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (281) 412-0141 to book your appointment.
Address :
3260 E Broadway St,
Pearland, TX 77581.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Brazoria
Church Food Pantry
A number of churches around Fresno, Texas 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 Fresno, Texas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
South Union Missionary Baptist Church
Food Bank Ministry helps with serving guests, stocking shelves and bagging food to the needy famililes who are facing very difficult financial circumstances. For more information, contact 713-713-7470 ext.244.
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 (713) 747-0244 to book your appointment.
Address :
3550 Lydia St,
Houston, TX 77021.
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:
- Fort Bend
- Harris
- Montgomery
Fondren Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Adventists believe that God is concerned with the quality of human life, and that everything--the way we live, eat, speak, think, treat each other, and care for the world around us--is a part of His plan.
Our food pantry provides food to meet basic nutritional needs for individuals and families in need and is available throughout Fort Bend and Harris county. Our clients are children, adults or senior citizens with limited or no income, who simply have fallen on hard times or recently unemployed. The amount of food given depends on household size.
Food is given out every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please be sure to bring a form of I.D. that has a picture and address on it. If you have questions please call the church at 281-835-6216.
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 (281) 935-6216 to book your appointment.
Address :
7950 W Fuqua Dr,
Houston, TX 77489.
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:
- Harris
- Fort Bend
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 Fresno, Texas 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 6 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Fresno, Texas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Guadalupe Catholic Church
This program provides a food pantry to people in need. You can find out how to access food assistance below.
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 (281) 232-5113 to book your appointment.
Address :
511 Carlisle St,
Rosenberg, TX 77471.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Fort Bend
Holy Family Catholic Church
Provides a food pantry to people in need. You can find out how to get food assistance below.
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 (281) 499-6246 to book your appointment.
Address :
1510 5th St,
Missouri City, TX 77489.
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: 01:00 AM - 03:30 PM
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Fort Bend
St. John Fisher Catholic Church
This program provides a food pantry to people in need. Take a look at our "how to apply" section below to find out how you can receive food 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 (281) 342-5092 to book your appointment.
Address :
410 Clay St,
Richmond, TX 77469.
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:
- Fort Bend
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
This program provides a food pantry through the Houston Food Bank. You can find out how to receive their food assistance below.
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 (281) 431-0969 to book your appointment.
Address :
14307 Highway 6,
Rosharon, TX 77583.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Fort Bend
Society of St. Vincent de Paul - St. Theresa Catholic Church
St. Theresa Catholic Church, part of the St. Vincent de Paul society, operates a food pantry every Monday and Friday. We provide short-term assistance and emotional support. Our pantry offers limited financial and nonperishable food assistance to those in need in our Parish and the Sugar Land community. We work person-to-person through advocacy, education and referral efforts to break cycles of poverty, empower people and promote self-sufficiency. The SVdP ministry differentiates itself by its dedication to person-to-person service. Volunteers start a dialogue with people and really get to know those we help.
The Society helps all people regardless of their religious affiliation or ethnicity. We offer confidential support services in a dignified way, in light of the Gospel man-date and Christian hospitality.
Please call for more information.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- financial assistance
- 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 (281) 494-1156 to book your appointment.
Address :
705 St Theresa Blvd,
Sugar Land, TX 77498.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Cities:
- Sugar Land
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
The Pathways to Hope program stands as a refuge of hope for our women who have served this country. Women veterans in crisis can be helped with financial assistance for rent, mortgage, food, employment and education guidance and other needs.
Clients are limited to a one-time assistance per year. Assistance may be partial if client is receiving a pledge from another agency.
Services include:
- Rent, mortgage, utility, transportation, employment, furniture assistance. A client may be eligible for up to six months of rental assistance with case management services, as funding is available.
- Case management is provided to veterans experiencing a crisis. Case Managers work with clients to help locate jobs, secure veteran benefits, job training, and permanent stable housing.
- Food assistance is provided through the food pantry once every thirty days. One bag is provided to families with five or less in the household. Families with more than five in the household will receive two bags.
- Referrals provided to appropriate community resources
Documents required:
- Photo ID
- Proof of address
- Proof of income (clients must fall within the HUD income guidelines)
- Proof of Veteran Status (DD-214, VA ID Card, Letter of Service)
- Must be able to demonstrate need such as an eviction notice or foreclosure letter
Services provided :
- emergency payments
- help pay for housing
- help pay for utilities
- food pantry
- help pay for transit
- financial assistance
- navigating the system
- support network
- one-on-one 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 (713) 383-9890 to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Houston, TX 77069.
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:
- Austin
- Brazoria
- Chambers
- Colorado
- Fort Bend
- Galveston
- Harris
- Liberty
- Matagorda
- Montgomery
- Waller
- Wharton
- Walker
- Harris
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Fresno, Texas 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 2 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in Fresno, Texas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Rosenburg Richmond Helping Hands
This program provides food to people in need. If you need food assistance take a look at our "how to apply" section below.
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 (281) 232-4904 to book your appointment.
Address :
902 Collins Rd,
Richmond, TX 77469.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 10:00 AM - 02:30 PM
- Tues: 10:00 AM - 02:30 PM
- Wed: 10:00 AM - 02:30 PM
- Thurs: 10:00 AM - 02:30 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Fort Bend
Cy-Fair Helping Hands
Cy-Fair Helping Hands helps the homeless become self-sufficient by building relationships and a path out of homelessness. We feed homeless from their truck, storing everything in their garage. Pantry Hours are: Tuesdays 9:30AM - 12:30PM and Thursdays 9:30AM - 12:30PM. For more information, call 281-858-1222.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- help find housing
- clothes for school
- clothes for work
- home goods
- personal care items
- supplies for school
- navigating the system
- help find work
- mentoring
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (281) 858-1222 to book your appointment.
Address :
7520 Cherry Park Dr, SUITE A-1,
Houston, TX 77095.
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:
- Harris
- Fort Bend
- Montgomery
Mobile Food Pantry
The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around Fresno, Texas 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 Fresno, 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 Fresno, Texas 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 Fresno, Texas 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 Fresno, Texas 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 Fresno, Texas which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.
Second Mile Mission Center
The Second Mile Mission Center provides a food pantry to people in need. They provide food monthly but they will not turn you away if you need assistance. The amount of food you will receive is based on the size of you family. You can find out how to access the food pantry below.
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 (281) 261-9199 to book your appointment.
Address :
504 FM-1092, SUITE I,
Stafford, TX 77477.
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:
- Fort Bend
True Gospel Holiness
This program provides a food pantry to people in need. You can find out how you can receive food assistance below.
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 (713) 553-3850 to book your appointment.
Address :
503 3rd St,
Rosenberg, TX 77471.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: Closed
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Fort Bend
Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC)
Our food pantry provides free food to feed families and individuals in need. We supply groceries for residents that do not have enough food because they lack the resources to purchase it. 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. The amount of food given depends on household size. Some non-food items such as laundry detergent, diapers and bar soap are also provided.
Please arrive by 8:30 A.M. to be served.
Documents Required:
-Photo ID
-Proof of residence
-Birth Certificates for children 18 or younger
Services provided :
- emergency food
- 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 (713) 528-3663 to book your appointment.
Address :
5401 Fannin St,
Houston, TX 77004.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
- Tues: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
- Wed: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
- Thurs: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
- Fri: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
- Sat: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM CST
- Sun: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST T:
Help Residents of Counties:
- Austin
- Brazoria
- Chambers
- Fort Bend
- Galveston
- Harris
- Liberty
- Montgomery
- Waller
Eternal Food Ministry
We package food into bags and boxes for families and individuals. We provide a blend of good foods, including bread, staples, meats, vegetables, etc.. Also, we take care of family/individual dietary needs. Emergency food distribution clients that are qualified for food assistance service are those families and individuals who are in dire need of immediate food supply due to unprecedented events/situations. The service is available throughout the week from 11am to 4.30pm. For more information, call 281-271-1730.
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 (281) 271-1730 to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Houston, TX 77069.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 11:00 AM - 04:30 PM
- Tues: 11:00 AM - 04:30 PM
- Wed: 11:00 AM - 04:30 PM
- Thurs: 11:00 AM - 04:30 PM
- Fri: 11:00 AM - 04:30 PM
- Sat: 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Fort Bend
- Waller
- Harris
AIDS Foundaiton Houston
Stone Soup program provides food assistance to HIV-positive individuals and their families. For more information contact Taylor Franklin support services coordinator at 713-623-6796 x 308 or Franklint@AFHouston.org.
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 (713) 623-6796 to book your appointment.
Address :
6260 Westpark Dr, SUITE 100,
Houston, TX 77057.
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:
- Harris
- Fort Bend
- Montgomery
House Of Amos
Emergency Food Pantry program provides food to families in crisis. Families in crisis situations may receive a distribution of food from House of Amos a maximum of 3 times a year, not including the once a month Saturday food distribution. The following requirements must be met in order to receive assistance:
-Complete our application form and
-Lease agreement showing names of all persons living in your household. If family of 1, a current utility bill is acceptable.
We operate the food pantry on Monday to Thursday 9 a.m to noon and Saturday 10 a.m to noon.
Visit us for more information or call 281-495-9061.
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 (281) 495-9061 to book your appointment.
Address :
8030 Boone Rd,
Houston, TX 77072.
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: Closed
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Harris
- Fort Bend
- Montgomery
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Galveston-Houston is a grassroots, volunteer-based, direct aid organization that helps people in need get back on their feet. We provide short-term financial, material, and emotional support and work person-to-person through advocacy, education, and referral efforts to break cycles of poverty, empower people and promote self-sufficiency.
The Society serves the needs of Greater Houston’s growing community by way of a centralized call center from where you can inquire about the services you are in need of.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- home goods
- financial assistance
- navigating the system
- support network
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (713) 862-2605 to book your appointment.
Address :
,
Houston, TX 77069.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM
- Wed: 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM
- Thurs: 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM
- Fri: Closed
- Sat: 08:30 AM - 04:00 PM
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Austin
- Brazoria
- Chambers
- Fort Bend
- Galveston
- Harris
- Liberty
- Montgomery
- Waller
Katy Christian Ministries
Food Pantry program provides three day nutritionally balanced supplement of non-perishable food up to twice monthly, baby food, formula, diapers, personal care items provided every other month, emergency bags (for travelers, homeless, other), birthday bags to our client’s children for their special day, fresh produce from yard gardeners, local farmers & the KCM community garden, milk through the milk-4-many program, turkeys or ham & additional food items for a warm thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30-5:00 (closed 12:00-1:00 for lunch). For more information contact us at 281-391-5261.
Services provided :
- food pantry
- diapers & formula
- 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 (281) 391-5261 to book your appointment.
Address :
5510 1st St,
Katy, TX 77493.
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:
- Fort Bend
- Harris
- Waller
Alvin Community Food Pantry
Our food pantry provides free food to feed families and individuals in need. We supply groceries for residents that do not have enough food because they lack the resources to purchase it. 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. The amount of food given depends on household size.
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 (281) 824-8871 to book your appointment.
Address :
1212 S Durant St,
Alvin, TX 77511.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: Closed
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 01:30 PM - 03:30 PM
- Thurs: Closed
- Fri: 01:30 PM - 03:30 PM
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
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 Fresno, Texas
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.