Food banks and food pantries.
Find the locations of food banks and free food pantries to turn to for help. The distribution centers, including drive thru locations, will pass out free boxes of food, groceries, personal hygiene supplies and other items to low-income families. The charities and churches that operate them help feed the homeless, low income, as well as families with little or no money. Find a food bank or pantry near you, including distribution centers that are open daily.
A food bank will assist people of all backgrounds, including single mothers, senior citizens, and really any low-income family or person that is going thru a hardship. Many of the distribution centers that are operated by a church or charity are client-choice, which means they allow the family or individual to “shop” for only the type of food they need. Other pantries will pass out a pre-packed box of groceries or other supplies.
Type of food given out by a pantry
Based on the organization, get free shelf-stable or fresh food. This can include cereal, pasta, rice, cheese, dairy items, meats, fresh fruit, gluten free stuff, produce, eggs or vegetables. Some will provide bread, baby formula, frozen food, low-salt or gluten free food, ensure to the elderly and other canned items or fresh perishables today.
A food pantry will also try to focus on dietary needs of kids, infant or senior citizens - people of all ages will find the healthy food they need. Many also have cultural specific meals as well as holiday baskets. Single moms or people that lack transportation can sometimes get deliveries from a food pantry near them as well.
In addition, many pantries give out of other supplies. This includes personal hygiene items, household cleaning stuff, Christmas and Thanksgiving meals, feminine goods, laundry detergent and paper products. An individual will just need to call the distribution center near them to get the specifics on the food assistance programs administered.
Organizations that have a food bank or pantry
Food banks, pantries and distribution centers are located at a wide range of church and local charity organizations as well as national groups. Charities like the Salvation Army, Saint Vincent de Paul parishes or Catholic Charities will run a distribution center at their local branches and give free food daily to clients. Feeding America will also have free food boxes, drive thru pantries, pet food, and soup kitchens.
- In general, the hours are limited but most communities have at least one or more pantries open today. In every community, no matter the size of the town, county, or city, there will be a local free food bank or distribution center near you. Select a state below, or find a list of places for free food near you.
Food banks, and the staff on site, help people apply for government food benefit programs. The federal government runs a large number of hunger prevention programs for the low income as well as families living in poverty. There may also be help apply for their local state benefits as well as county organizations. More on government food assistance programs.
Salvation Army food pantries offer boxes of groceries. The Christian faith based charity supports people regardless of their religion, race, immigration status or age. Free food banks, soup kitchens, emergency financial support and other feeding programs are located at each local center. They help the poor, indigent, immigrants, single moms, homeless and struggling families. Find details on Salvation Army free food banks.
- Soup kitchens serve free meals and many have small, on site pantries. Many places give hot meals today, in particular the Salvation Army or local churches. They will have a free hot breakfast, lunch or dinner or even deliver free or frozen food to the homebound. Many charities feed people during the holidays too. The poor, homeless, and those in a short term crisis can all get free hot or cold meals from a number of places that may be near you. Find a list of Salvation Army soup kitchens.
Local churches often have small free food banks for people in the immediate community. The resources provided vary, but there will generally be boxes of groceries, produce, baked goods including eggs, and also free paper products. Everyone from single mothers to families living in poverty can get help from a food banks at a church or religious organization. Find churches that help with food near you.
Feeding America is a leading non-profit agency that works with food banks, soup kitchens and other distribution centers in all 50 states. The organization provides groceries, perishable items, free boxes of food, salt free food, milk, and more to its regional partners. Those locations then serve low income families. Many of the food pantries also are open today and provide help ASAP. Find Feeding America locations.
- Note some local pantries may have a small number of fresh or shelf-stable food products that are past expiration dates, but those items are still perfectly safe to eat. As the meaning of sell by or expiration date vary. Learn more on food expiration dates at pantries.
Free home delivery of meals is provided to the disabled, seniors or sick. A number of food pantries offer this service. However it is usually only available for senior citizens on social security or the handicapped with mobility issues who live on a low-income or have no money. Volunteers deliver food, groceries, hot meals, nutritional supplements, and other items. Read more on the Meals on Wheels home delivery service.
- Get free pet food from a charity too. Seniors, the homebound and disabled can get dog or cat food, pet supplies and more from either a (1) food banks near them or a (2) Meals on Wheels type service. Some agencies will deliver the goods too. Learn more free pet food for seniors.
Get free coupons to save on food. Food banks often partner with local companies and retailers in the local community. Together they will provide consumers with significant savings from coupons that can be printed right at home or used on an app. They can be used to pay for not only food and groceries, but also personal care items, pet supplies, and beverages. These can be used at any retailer, or combined with the services from a food bank, to save families even more. Find free coupon deals.
Free holiday food, both at Christmas and Thanksgiving, is available from many food banks and pantries. Some provide free boxes of groceries as well as ingredients, or entire meals, along with small gifts or toys. Or they hold parties and gatherings for the entire family. There are often free holiday food baskets giveaway at a food bank near you. Find details on how to get free assistance at Christmas.
List of local food banks and pantries
The charities or church run distribution centers that may be near you will also address both emergency and long term needs. Free food banks and pantries have various hours. However, when open, they can give away free food on an almost immediate basis. Many are open multiple hours and will be open today as well as on weekends.
The free food banks listed below by state are just a sampling of the centers available. In addition to the locations noted, you will find phone numbers and contact information for organizations that give referrals. Case workers can direct you to a food bank or free food pantry location that may be closer to your home.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Other places with a food bank
There are several other ways to get information on food pantries, meal sites, and places for free food or hunger prevention programs. Families, seniors, single moms and others can learn about them from various sources, including Feeding America as well as Ample Harvest. Use those non-profits to learn more about food banks, their hours, and which are open daily. Or for details on free food banks and pantries that are near you and open today, dial 1-866-348-6479 (English) or 1-877-842-6273 (Spanish).
Need additional help from a food pantry?
Please send us an email @ info@needhelppayingbills.com Include your email address and state. It is never shared. The information is needed to send a reply on hunger prevention programs and local free food banks near you. Or visit or register in the community forum (the link is on the lower margin) and we will reply to a request there.
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