Free food pantries and groceries Hidalgo County.
Find a list of free food pantries, soup kitchens, and charities that giveaway groceries, meals, and even hygiene supplies to low income families in Hidalgo County. A number of residents struggle to buy groceries and feed their families every month. Dozens of food pantries, that may be near you and are listed below, try to provide immediate, emergency assistance to help these individuals make it through a difficult time. There may be assistance provided to children, the homebound in the form of Meals on Wheels, and food for the homeless.
With almost one half of children living in food insecure households, many of the charity as well as church run food banks offer much more than just a bag of groceries. They may help the family obtain shelter, access personal hygiene items or apply for financial aid. There are also free Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter meals in Hidalgo County. A large number of the pantry clients also get get help in enrolling into SNAP food stamps or USDA free school lunch programs, among other services.
Most of the Hidalgo County centers do not publish their phone numbers, but the locations are below. There is also a phone number at the bottom of the page for more information. Food is also only passed out to families once or twice a week, as hours are limited. Whether someone is a single parent, new immigrant to the county, or living in poverty, the food banks below may help.
Primera Iglesia Rosa de Saron RGV Inc
101 N Georgia Ave, Mercedes, TX 78570. Phone: (956) 515-6381 or (956) 345-8191
Emergency financial aid, household goods from a thrift store, and food is available.
First Baptist Church-Alamo
1033 E Bowie Ave, Alamo, TX 78516. Phone: (956) 787-1824
The Salvation Army Of Hidalgo County and Mcallen
There are multiple sites. They offer emrgency assistance, including free canned or fresh food. There is also help for immigrants and Spanish speakers. Get free groceries, paper products, hygiene supplies and more food or hot meals. They also give free Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas meals to low income families in Hidalgo County.
- 1600 N. 23rd St., McAllen, Texas 78501. Phone number - 956-682-1468. There is a free lunch and dinner served at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Other services include a food pantry, back to school supplies, and financial help for paying bills.
- Find more locations. More on assistance programs from Hidalgo County Salvation Army.
Primera Iglesia Bautista de Alamo
401 US-83 BUS, Alamo, TX 78516. Call (956) 781-2325
Another site is S. from Hwy 83 to 6th Street, La Joya, Texas 78560. It is open Tuesday from 6:00pm-7:30pm
His Hands Ministries
17214 Salida Del Sol St, Penitas, TX 78576. Phone: (956) 584-6844
Meals and food services are for Spanish speaking families in Hidalgo County too. There may be rice, breads, and canned food.
Food Bank Of The Rio Grande Social Services Outreach Program
Address: 724 N. Cage Blvd
Pharr, TX 78577
(956) 631-5009
This is the primary food bank and non-profit in the region. They give referrals, partner with churches or charities and provide various resources. The case managers can help low income families apply for benefits such as SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid. TANF grants, and WIC vouchers. They also partner with soup kitchens and food banks in Hidalgo County.
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) McAllen
A free food pantry and soup kitchen are at 1201 E Fern Ave, McAllen, TX 78501. (956) 687-8519
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church
1055 Military Rd, Brownsville, TX 78520. Phone: (956) 541-8341
St. Vincent De Paul at St. Joseph’s Church
Location is 114 West Fay, Edinburg, Texas. Call (956) 383-7993
Seniors and the disabled that meet income limits can apply for Meals on Wheels. There is also a thrift store that has furniture, work and school clothes, and more. Some families may receive a grant or referrals to Hidalgo County social services. Continue with SVDP Hidalogo County.
Iglesia Pentecostal Unida
2418 Beaumont Ave, McAllen, TX 78501, Phone: (956) 687-8837
Free food, meals from a soup kitchen, and groceries are given away as well.
St Anne Catholic Church
801 E Juarez Ave, Pharr, TX 78577. Phone: (956) 787-8122
Assists residents of all faiths. Dairy, rice, cereal, coffee, free infant formula and more is provided.
Abundant Grace Community Church
Address is 2110 South McColl Road, Edinburg, Texas 78539. Dial (956) 381-0622
A small, emergency pantry may have non-perishable items, baby formula, fruits, and more.
Iglesia Evangelica Templo Camino De Salvacion
Location is 305 N Bridge Ave, Weslaco, TX 78596. Call (956) 973-8277.
There is support for the low income, including single moms. Food, household goods, counseling, and applications to WIC vouchers may be offered. Click here single mom assistance programs.
Loaves And Fishes Of The Rio Grande Valley
514 South E Street, Harlingen, TX 78550. Phone: (956) 423-1014
The faith based charity offers free food in Hidalgo County, shelter, and job placement counseling, among other programs.
St Jude Catholic Church
A free food bank is at 505 S Ironwood St, Pharr, TX 78577. Dial (956) 781-2489
Canned groceries, fruits, dairy, bread, cereal and more. There may be infant formula, meals on wheels as well as other assistance programs.
The Lord’s Pantry
1105 South International Boulevard (FM1015)
Weslaco, Texas
The charity is only open on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Volunteers may offer Hidalgo County residents a free box of groceries.
Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center
656 North Minnesota Avenue
Brownsville, Texas 78521
Main phone - (956) 831-6331
Assistance includes gently used clothes, food, shelter, and rent help. There are holiday meals, free groceries given away to the poor or migrant workers and other aid.
Catholic Charities Churches
There are a number in the Hidalgo County area. Food pantries, soup kitchens, clothes, and more more. The free pantries may also have hygiene supplies like soap or detergent, feminine goods and serve free holiday food baskets. Everyone from immigrants in Hidalgo County to the homeless, unemployed and others can get assistance, including immediate groceries. More on Hidalgo County Catholic Charities assistance programs.
Manna
4200 N. McColl Rd., McAllen, Texas 78804. Main number is (956) 686-3784
A faith based charity that offers a hand up and not a hand out. Proof of income and self-sufficiency is required for an emergency box of food.
Abundant Life Church
101 N O St, Harlingen, TX 78550. Phone: (956) 425-1696
Volunteers from the church may serve a hot meal. The homeless may be given a blanket, and seniors can have food brought to them.
Angeles En Accion
7500 W. Expressway 83
Palmview, Texas 78574
The charity helps people of all religions and backgrounds.
Feed My Sheep/Baptist Temple
2001 Trenton, McAllen, Texas 78501. for details, call 956) 686-5296
Food bank hours are 1st & 3rd Thursday from 9:00am-11:00 am.
First Baptist
600 S. Kansas
Weslaco, Texas 78596
Phone - (956) 968-9585
A Community Food Pantry is on site. Canned goods, dairy, fruits, and paper products may be offered in Hidalgo County.
Templo Paraiso AD
Address is 302 Crisantema St, Sullivan City, TX 78595. Dial (956) 240-3606
Pantry Hours Saturday 10:00am-1:00pm.
First Lutheran Church
Mailing address - 302 Sugar Rd, Edinburg, TX 78539. Dial the pantry at (956) 383-2647
Saturday morning only from 9am-11am. Clients include the job less and children that need a snack. The site may also serve hot meals, snacks to students when out of school, or offer school supplies such as notebooks.
First United Methodist Church
Location - 1101 Doherty
Mission, Texas 78572
Hours of the charity are 1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month.
Flame Of Truth
Address: 732 Eldora Road
Donna, Texas 78537
From 9:30am-12:00pm the case managers at the pantry hold a nutrition meeting. This will show parents how to prepare a meal or shop for groceries. Free food boxes may be given too.
Food For Hunger
Address: 1115 S. Maryland
Alton, Texas 78573
(956) 585-9966
Applications to SNAP food stamps, holiday meals, and boxes of Christmas food may be offered. They partner with non-profits in Hidalgo to feed the hungry.
Holy Spirit Church
2201 Martin Ave, McAllen, TX 78504. For hours, dial (956) 631-5295
Monday and Wednesday, open all day.
Mary Mother Of The Church
1914 Barnard
Brownsville, Texas 78520
Emergency bags of groceries, information on shelter, and Thanksgiving meals may be served.
Open Hands Community Charitable Services
Location of the charity - 301 S. 17th Street
Donna, Texas 78537
(956) 461-6920
The staff refer clients to financial aid. There is also a free food bank for crisis situations.
Pharr Food Pantry (Centro Cristiano Libertad)
614 West Hawk
Pharr, TX
Hours of operation - 4th Saturday of the month.
Sharing & Caring Food Pantry
602 East Boone
Pharr, Texas
Hours are Friday afternoon. Both groceries, job placement, and meals are served by the soup kitchen at the Hidalgo County pantry. Case managers support the working poor.
Our Lady Queen Of Angels
Address: 916 S. Leo Ave.
La Joya, Texas 78560
The pantry staff is on site on Wednesday 2pm-5pm & Saturday 8:00am-11:00am. Free food, hot meals, snacks for students out of school, and other aid is provided.
Queen Of Peace Outreach Ministries
1605 New Combes Hwy
Harlingen, Texas 78550
Clients can learn about USDA programs such as commodity foods or apply for a box of groceries. There may also be clothing or school supplies for children.
San Martin De Porres
Location - 621 W. Main Street
Alton, Texas 78573
Hours are Wednesday of the month 9:00am – 11:30am.
St. George Orthodox Church
Address: 704 W. Sam Houston
Pharr, Texas 78577
Pantry is open Wednesdays from 1:00pm-4:00pm.
St. John's Church
216 W. 1st Street
San Juan, Texas 78589
Must have proof of San Juan residency. If so, healthy food is offered. Or applicants may get referrals to human services.
St. Johns Episcopal Church
2500 N. 10th Street
McAllen, Texas 78501
Monday – Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
St. Pius X Catholic Church
600 S Oklahoma Ave, Weslaco, TX 78596. Phone number is (956) 968-7471.
The pantry is open 2nd & 4th Saturday of every month 9:00am – 12:00pm. There are also Easter and Thanksgiving food baskets, hygiene items, and assistance for the elderly in the parish.
El Mesias Methodist Church
209 E. 6th Street
Mission, Texas 78572
Call (956) 585-2334.
Free food is only distributed on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Groceries include fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and maybe even infant formula for single mothers.
St. Joseph The Worker/Hope Clinic
Main address - 2332 Jordan
McAllen, Texas 78501
Monday and Wednesday from 10:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm
Good Neighbor Settlement House
Food bank address - 1254 East Tyler Street
Brownsville, Texas 78520
Phone: (956) 542-2368
Basic needs are met. They offer after-school tutoring and snacks for children. There is also food, free school supplies, and other help for the needy and disabled.
First Baptist Church
The free food pantry is at 1033 E Bowie Ave, Alamo, TX 78516. For hours, dial (956) 787-1824
San Pablo United Methodist Church
1002 W. Birch
Alamo, Texas
3rd Saturday of the month 10:00am-11:00am (emergencies)
Casa De David
21 San Marcos Street
Edinburg, Texas
A soup kitchen and food pantry are on site.
The Lords House of Spirit & Praise
921 N. 4th Street
Edinburg, TX
The charity will also use volunteers to deliver low cost meals to the homebound.
Faysville United Methodist Church
Address - 110 E. Jefferson Ave.
Faysville, Texas
The emergency pantry is open on the 2nd to the last Saturday of the month.
Ministerio Restauracion Familiar Siloe
5th Street West
La Joya, TX
Immigrants can get free food as well as other needy families. There may also be soup, shampoo, and cleaning supplies.
Shining Light’s Helping Hand
6 1/2 Mile Doffing Rd. (Hwy. 492)
Mission, TX
Free food as well as clothing and more is available Donations allow this Hidalgo County site to operate. The charity is open on Thursday per month.
Dorcas of the Seventh Day Adventist
1217 N. 27 1/2 St.
McAllen, Texas
A food bank is available. Applicants need proof of income and residency. The hours are the 3rd Saturday of the month from 3:00pm-5:00pm.
El Divino Redentor UMC
2421 Maple Ave
McAllen, TX
Phone - (956) 686-8564
Pantry hours - 3rd Saturday of the month 9:00am-12:00pm
Baskets Full, Inc.
400 Sixth St.
Mercedes, TX
Free fresh and non-perishable food. They try to meet dietary requirements as well, especially for the elderly and pregnant women in Hidalgo County.
Bread of Life - Spanish SDA church
1047 West 3rd Street
Mercedes, TX
Phone - 956-565-5862..
A local soup kitchen.
Iglesia Bautista Cristo El Rey
Address: 1600 E. Bus 83
Mercedes, Texas
Migrants can get food, clothes, boots, hats, and more. There is information in job placement too, as well as referrals to assistance for immigrants.
Luz Para Las Naciones
915 West Expressway 83
Mercedes, Texas
The site is available Wednesday & Friday 10:00am-2:00pm.
Templo Ejercito de Dios
Location is 1008 N. Conway
Mercedes, Texas 78572
Dial the food pantry at (956) 655-9417
Open - 2nd Saturday of the month.
Servicios a la Comunidad Maranatha
1725 W. Griffin Parkway
Mercedes, TX
A couple days worth of canned or fresh food is offered. It is also a client choice pantry.
Trinity Worship Center
4801 N. Cage Blvd.
Pharr, Texas
A student can be given a snack, and a qualified, low income parent a box of food to last for a few days or so.
St. Anne’s Church
710 East Lucas
Pharr, TX
Dial (956) 787-8122
The church staff can provide free groceries, counseling, and more on all days except Tuesdays. The elderly, undocumented immigrants and the poor can get food, clothes and support.
St. Margaret Church
224 N. Aster St.
Pharr, Texas
Food pantry can assist on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Paper goods, hygiene items, and other boxes of food may also be available.
Iglesia Pentecostes Nueva Vida
A soup kitchen and emergency food pantry is at 211 W Mile 3 Rd Palmhurst, TX 78574. Dial (956) 342-9711
The charity is open Tuesdays.
Angeles En Accion
7500 West Expressway 83
Palmview, Texas
Hours are 1st & Last Wednesday of the month 10:00am-11:00am.
Weslaco Community Food Pantry
600 South Kansas Ave
Weslaco, Texas
Hours: 2nd Thursday of the Month 8:30am-10:30am - on months with 5 Thursdays, distribution is 3rd Thursday
Penitas Care Ministries
A free food pantry is at 400 S Main St, Penitas, TX 78576
God’s Powerhouse
1308 South “I” Road
Pharr, Texas
Last Tuesday of every month 4:00pm-6:00pm
Templo Bethel
400 South “I” Road
Pharr, Texas
Various resources are available.
United Methodist Church
119 East Kelly
Pharr, TX
Telephone number is 956-787-4529
There is an emergency pantry on site. They also participate in holiday meals, mostly at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Referrals are also given to other Hidalgo County government benefit programs.
Iglesia Bautista Monte Horeb
Address: 2210 Fresno
McAllen, Texas
The charity serves the vulnerable in the community. Whether it is a piece of clothing or box of food, assistance is available from caring staff.
Sacred Heart Church
320 S. 15th Street
McAllen, Texas 78501
For referrals, call (956) 686-7711
There is a small pantry open Tuesday and Wednesday. Non-English speakers can get food, referrals, and more. Baby formula, vitamins, nutritional supplements and other goods are offered. Shelf stable food too.
San Felipe De Jesus
2215 Rancho Viejo
Brownsville, Texas 78520
Everything from a holiday meal (such as meat at Christmas) or a low cost bag of food is passed out. They rely on donations from stores such as Target and local restaurants.
More free food programs for the low income in Hidalogo County
For the locations of other free, emergency pantries near you, dial 956.682.8101. Or low income families can be referred to TEFAP - Emergency Food Program, the Kids Cafe which feeds children, or other government funded programs. SNAP food stamps applications are offered as well as Meals on Wheels services for the elderly, disabled or homebound.
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