Free food distribution programs near you by city, county, and state.
Free food distribution programs near you help individuals and families access groceries, meals, and other assistance in their local community. Free food is typically provided by food pantries, churches, nonprofit organizations, food banks and community distribution centers. These programs operate in cities, counties, and neighborhoods across the country (listed below) and are open to low-income households and anyone that is struggling to feed their household.
This page serves as a centralized directory to help people find free food distribution programs by location. The listings below include local food pantries, community food giveaways, and a wide variety of other regional resources. Some programs provide boxes of groceries or fresh produce, while others offer prepared meals or emergency food for people in crisis.
Free food programs are administered locally. Hours of operation, eligibility rules, and the specific types of items available vary by location. Because of this, it is important to select your city, county, or state below to find food distribution programs operating in your area and review details before visiting a location.
Also if you need additional help in finding a free food distribution location near you, please e-mail us. Be sure to include your "general" location (state/county/city). As there are often other ways to get free food in a local area but at minimum your county is needed. The email [email protected].
Links to national programs that give out free food
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Some food distribution programs are supported by national nonprofit organizations or government-funded initiatives but are operated locally. In these cases, national organizations may provide food supplies, funding, or coordination, while local agencies manage distribution. Because assistance is handled at the local level, availability and eligibility rules vary by community.
- Longer-term support may also be available, with some SNAP applications processed for emergencies. Many food pantries and human services offices help individuals apply for nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP or WIC. In emergency situations, households with little or no income may qualify for expedited benefits as detailed here, where you can read about emergency food stamp cards.
- Home-delivered meals may be available for people who are unable to visit a food pantry. Seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals who are homebound due to illness may qualify for local meal delivery services, including Meals on Wheels programs. In some communities, these services also distribute free pet food to help homebound individuals care for their animals. Senior citizens, the sick and the disabled may be able to apply for local Meals on Wheels services near them.
- Free hot meals are provided in many areas through soup kitchens, community meal sites, and nonprofit organizations. There are even specialized lists of where to find a food bank at a Salvation Army. These programs often serve breakfast, lunch, or dinner and may also distribute groceries. They are commonly used by people experiencing homelessness, unemployment, or financial hardship and find how to get a free meal near you from a soup kitchen.
- Emergency food distribution may be available during a crisis. Churches, charities, and community organizations may provide same-day food help, including groceries or meals, for individuals and families facing an unexpected hardship, and look here to find how to get emergency food near you.
- Specialized food assistance may also be available. Some food banks distribute baby and infant formula to parents with newborns who lack resources. Pet food assistance programs help low-income households, seniors, and people with disabilities feed their animals during times of financial stress. There are local programs that may be near you that can help people feed their animals(s) and find free pet food programs.
- “Pop-up” free food distribution also takes place. Various locations, ranging from a restaurant or grocery store with surplus food top local community centers (which all these can be hard to track) give away food on almost an instant/real time basis. Find details on free pop up and mobile food alerts.
- Several national or local restaurants give out free food on occasion. Locations, whether casual or fast food, provide free meals, coupons, and items to their customers. The sign up process is usually quick and easy, and the savings can add up quickly. There are thousands of options out there, and find how to get free food from restaurants.
- Free food coupons are available as well. They will help people pay for restaurant style food or groceries (or get free food using a coupon) at a store or local pantry. As many pantries also have voucher or coupon type programs. Get details on the process of using free food coupons with no purchase needed.
- Additional resources may be available through national networks that distribute free food in local communities. Feeding America operates a nationwide network of food banks and local pantries that distribute free food in communities across the country. Information about local food banks can be found at https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank.
List of city, county and state food distribution programs
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Free food distribution programs are organized locally. Cities, counties, and community organizations determine where food is distributed and how often assistance is available. Use the listings below to find free food programs in your city, county, or state and review local details such as hours, eligibility, and distribution schedules.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
- Low income families will get free food throughout DC, and look here for details on District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
- Find charities and distribution centers in the state, and look here for Maine.
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
- There are places for free food and groceries in all the local communities, and find details on Montana.
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
- Find details on free food programs for all parts of North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
- Find details on free food for all of Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Or do you want to ask a question or read what other people are saying about the options out there? As there may be even more local options for free food and other resources. We have a discussion forum about free food where you can read real experiences and community replies from across the country
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