Free food banks, soup kitchens and groceries Shelby County and Memphis.
Find where to get free food as well as other support, such as hot meals, in Memphis and Shelby County Tennessee. A number of food banks, free pantries, churches, soup kitchens, and non-profits operate across the city as well as county. Each location near you is committed to providing support to the needy in the community.
A free food pantry or soup kitchens near you in Memphis may have everything from free food, groceries, vouchers to a store, hygiene supplies and other assistance to families and individuals who need help. Many also operate Meals on Wheels Home delivery services. Find locations in the Memphis area as well as a toll free referral number at the bottom of the page.
Some of the food banks collect donations from local business and private individuals and distribute this aid to the needy. Others partner with government programs and agencies. Regardless of where and what programs the pantry operates, each is committed to helping as many Memphis area families as possible. Free groceries, baby formula, and personal toiletries (among other items) may be provided. They are focused on preventing hunger of people from all ages, ranging from children to the elderly.
Call a food bank in the Shelby County area using the phone number and information below. Many can also offer other assistance such as financial help for bills, rent, medications, SNAP applications and even clothing., all in addition to the free food.
Catholic Charities, Inc.
Referrals are needed from MIFA in order to get help. For those that do this, the charity offers a clothes closet & food pantry. The requirements for the program is that the applicant brings some form of ID and to visit the pantry, the client would, first, have to visit MIFA (910 Vance Ave. Memphis, TN 38104) to get a food voucher.
Catholic Charities also has free formula and infant food, Only after that has been done can they then bring it to the food pantry @ 1325 Jefferson Ave. to redeem it for their groceries. There are also free personal hygiene and household supplies. Read more on food assistance from Memphis Catholic Charities.
- 1325 Jefferson, Memphis, TN 38104. Phone number - (901) 722-4700
- 297 S Fourth Street, Memphis, TN 38126. Call (901) 722-4706
Faith Heritage COGIC
The free Food Pantry is at 3802 Gragg Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38108. Call (901) 377-7963
This assistance is only for residents of 38010 zip code. Free groceries, vegetables, fruits, canned meats, Cooking oils, and more items may be offered.
Iglesia Apostolica
This is a Spanish Speaking Food Pantry at 3966 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38128. Call (901) 210-5551
Cultural meals, groceries and food is offered. The staff speak Spanish and can also help immigrants, documented or not. There are also free holiday food baskets, including at Christmas.
Millington First United Methodist Church
8029 Wilkinsville Road, Millington, Tennessee 38053. Call (901) 872-2771
There is help for low income families, seniors, and the working poor in Millington zip code 38053.
Bethel Church of God in Christ
2216 Clifton Avenue, Memphis, TN 38127. Dial (901) 303-5145
Provides food pantry, clothes, personal hygiene supplies or toiletries, fresh food and more. There may be beans, baby formula, Ensure for the elderly, vitamins and more. Free holiday food baskets are offered too.
Faith Life Outreach
Location is 1435 Wells Station Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38108. Call (901) 452-7993
Provides groceries and clothes. There is a free food pantry and soup kitchen for people in in on a first-come, first-served basis.
Friendship Community Church
15297 Lebanon Road, Old Hickory, TN 37138. Call (615) 758-5358
There is a free client choice food pantry. This means people/cleitns can "shop" for only what they need. Such as canned groceries, meat, paper products like toilet paper, detergent, pasta, cereal or whatever they need.
Grace Missionary Baptist Church
A food bank and soup kitchen is at 1203 N Manasass Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38107. Phone (901) 527-9144
Memphis and Shelby County Salvation Army
There is more than one site. The centers provide social services, including a food pantry as well as Meals on Wheels for seniors age 62 and above who are homebound A thrift store is on site, and Thanksgiving turkeys may be served as well as Christmas meal boxes.
In addition, the location will also offer emergency food, hygiene supplies and groceries for anyone in need once a month. There are also Christmas meals, snacks for students, and Easter baskets. An appointment is needed. Another location is the Salvation Army-Ben Lear Corps is another option.
Life of Liberty - Taking It To The Streets
749 Tate Avenue, Memphis, TN 38126. Call (901) 691-6950
They give hot meals and also operate a free food bank.
Map-South
769 S Danny Thomas Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38126. Call (901) 774-0940
The main assistance program is Commodity Supplemental Food Program for Low Income Seniors. There is also nutrition education, cooking classes, and USDA benefits such as cheese, milk, dairy, and more. There is also free meals on wheels delivery in Shelby County as well as other help for the elderly, including counseling or basic medical care.
Boulevard Church of Christ
Location is 4439 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38116. Telephone - (901) 590-0614
Carpenters Table Food Pantry - Working Persons in Memphis
Locationi is 204 N Second Street, Memphis, TN 38105. Call (901) 527-8362
The emergency food pantry is known as Carpenter's Table. The programs are for low income and working poor families and run in partnership with First United Methodist Church.
Mission Possible Christian Outreach Service Mission
2400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112. Dial (901) 458-4357
The Christian-based charity provides counseling, emergency food, groceries, and hygiene supplies for low income families in Memphis. Get fresh produce to families, snacks for students, Senior Brown Bag, and more.
New Allen AME Church
Main address: 1559 S Third Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38106. Call (901) 775-0925
Shelby County SVDP food and social services
Many resources are offered. There is financial aid, a low cost thrift store, and free food pantry. Get personal toiletries, free bags of groceries, or hot meals from the soup kitchen. Or get backpacks of snacks for kids or information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. They may also deliver hot meals to the homebound, give items like soap or detergency or give other aid. More on SVDP Memphis County assistance programs.
New Tyler AME Church
An emergency pantry is at 3300 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122. Dial (901) 323-9371
Saint Petersburg Global Ministries
4413 Highway 412, Alamo, TN 38001. Dial (888) 492-1076
Get free care packs, groceries, meals (frozen or fresh), paper goods and more. There may be Canned Vegetables, fruits, milk, bread, peanut butter, pasta and more.
Save Our Sons and Daughters
3680 Rhodes Avenue, Tennessee Tennessee 38111. Call (901) 496-3938
Faith-based non-profit serves the Memphis area with family centered programs, including mentoring and tutoring programs for children, financial literacy classes, anger management programs for men (focused on preventing violence against women), family and individual counseling, beginner piano lessons for ages 6 and up and food pantry.
Shelby County Community Services Agency – Commodities Program
This is a regional agency that provides free monthly food distribution of non-perishable groceries. They also help Shelby County families in poverty apply for food stamps or other benefits. Staff or partners have food items at community sites, and the goods are for eligible families, individuals and households.
Address - 100 North Main Street #1300, Memphis 38103. Call 901-545-4526.
St Paul Baptist Church
Location is 2124 E Holmes Road, Memphis, TN 38116. Call (901) 346-5544
Cathedral of Faith Community Church
Address is 2212 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112. Call (901) 327-1616
Provides clothes closet with personal hygiene supplies. There is also a free food pantry, including items such as Boxed or Canned Soups, Cereal (Hot & Cold) and more for needy residents of Shelby County.
Greater Impact Faith Church
1066 Springdale Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38108. Call (901) 503-8555
Assistance programs include Food Pantries, GED/High School Equivalence Test Instruction, Meals from a soup kitchen and more. Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas meals and food baskets may be offered.
Brinkley Heights Baptist Church
Address of the pantry is 3277 Rosamond Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38122
Phone number - (901) 458-0617
Clothing and food bank. Volunteers may also deliver a meal to a senior citizen in the parish.
Calvary Episcopal Church
Church address is 102 N. Second Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
Call the church at - (901) 525-6602
The location runs a soup kitchen and provides free meals and food.
Calvary Baptist Church
Address - 3812 Kirby Parkway
Memphis, Tennessee 38115
Call for help - (901) 795-5407
A local free food pantry.
Healing Heart Ministries
Address of the food bank is 3208 James Rd
Memphis, TN 38128
Phone - 901-327-4470
First Congregational Church Food Pantry
1000 S. Cooper
Memphis, Tennessee 38014
901.278.6786
in addition to the pantry, the have a hot lunch Monday through Friday from 11:00-1:00. As far as the groceries and other goods, this is from the free food pantry on Mondays and Wednesdays at the same time. Proof of Memphis ID needed.
Midtown Mosque
1276 Jackson Ave.
Memphis, TN 38107, 38107
Phone (901) 672-7195
They offer Muslims customized, culturally approved food items. They also deliver if/when needed and have a mobile pantry.
St. John Baptist
640 Vance Ave
Memphis, TN 38126
Phone number is 901-525-1092
The free pantry help the low income, immigrants, minorities and others. Items include Cooking Oil, Juice, Cereal (Hot & Cold), Peanut Butter, Christmas food boxes and more.
United Methodist Neighborhood, Scott Center Pantry
Memphis, TN 38111
901-323-4995
Neighborhood Christian Center
223 Scott St
Memphis, Tennessee 38112
901-881-6013
The faith based charity helps the poor, seniors, disabled, and struggling. There are free Thanksgiving turkey dinners, Christmas meals, and Easter baskets. Or get groceries, hot meals, soap or detergent, and hygiene items from the food pantry and clothing closet.
St. Mary's Catholic Church Soup Kitchen
Address is 155 Market Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38105
Dial 901-522-9420
Christ Missionary Baptist Church
494 South Parkway East
Memphis, TN 38106
Phone number is 901-948-9786
Canned groceries and free perishable items, such as fruit, meat, dairy. they give low income single mothers free baby formula or diapers. There are also Meals on Wheels too.
NAMBC Food Pantry
Location is 1423 Norris Ave
Memphis, TN 38106
901.359.6371
Holy Trinity Community Church
685 S. Highland St.
Memphis, TN 38111
Main phone 901-320-9376
Get items like beans, snacks for students, Boxed or Canned Juices, Laundry Detergent, Paper products, and more.
St. Anne Food Pantry
706 S. Highland
Memphis, TN 38111
Main phone 901-458-4238
First Unitarian Church - St. John's UMC Soup Kitchen
292 W. Virginia Ave
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
901-526-8631
Free hot breakfast, lunches, and dinners, including at holidays. The low income, immigrants, and homeless among others can get assistance.
Leawood Baptist Church
Food pantry address is 1202 Dyer
Memphis, TN 38122
Phone 901-328-1025
Memphis International Church
1435 Wells Station Road
Memphis, TN 38108
901-452-7993
Catholic Church of Ascension Food Pantry
3680 Ramill Rd
Memphis, Tennessee 38128
901-372-1364
Church of the Holy Names
Address - 697 Keel Avenue
Memphis, TN 38107
(901) 525-9870
Some of the assistance programs administered on site include a food pantry, soup kitchen, and the charity also offers clothes closet. Families in an emergency take priority. Zip codes of 38103, 38105, and 38107 are covered.
First Presbyterian Church
Center address - 166 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, Tennessee 38105
Dial for help - (901) 525-5619
An on site soup kitchen offers hot meals on Sundays at 2:00pm. Also get information and limited amounts of financial assistance for paying bills and rent.
Grace St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Address - 1720 Peabody Ave.
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
Telephone - (901) 272-7425
Get hot meal from the soup kitchen. Food is also passed out. Thanksgiving and Christmas meals may be served, and a child from a low income Memphis family could be given a free gift or toy.
First Works, Inc.
204 N. Second St.
Memphis, TN 38105
Dial the food bank at (901) 526-8228
Anyone, not just low income, can use the food pantry and possibly get clothing.
Highland Heights United Methodist Church
3476 Summer Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38122
Phone - (901) 458-5966
The charity has volunteers that operate a free food pantry.
Memphis & Shelby County Health Department
757 Galloway
Memphis, TN 38105
Dial for assistance (901) 544-7600
Some basic medical care, such as immunizations for women, children & infants, is offered in addition to food.
Memphis Union Mission
383 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(901) 526-8434
Homeless can get a meal, fresh fruits, soup, and more. Blankets, personal hygiene items, and holiday programs are run too.
Mississippi Blvd Christian Church
1720 Peabody Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
901-726-1142
Items may be baby formula, diapers for single moms, gently used clothing, and Christmas food baskets for the working poor in Shelby County.
Broadmoor Baptist Church
3824 Austin Peay Highway
Memphis, Tennessee 38128
Call 901.386.9643 for hours.
RMBC Community Services
Address is 3560 S Third Street
Memphis, TN 38109
Call (901) 789-4570
They operate a food pantry, thrift store, and clothing closet on Thursdays only.
Cross-Way Church
2633 Altruria Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
Call (901) 388-8515 for hours
The pantry is open Saturday and Sunday only. Free emergency food boxes and Christmas meals are offered in Shelby County.
St John's United Methodist Church
1207 Peabody Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-4104
The charity food bank will assist low income and working poor families with a voucher.
Hope for the Midsouth Ministries
The agency is at 7190 Pam Drive
Millington, Tennessee 38053
Main phone - (888) 926-4592
Food is sold at reduced prices to the public. The discount program may have meats, fruits, baby formula, and other groceries items, as well as some meals for senior needs.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
277 South Fourth Street @ Linden
Memphis, TN 38126
Call - (901) 527-2542
This church offers referrals to government programs, charities, and local food banks.
Fig Tree Food Pantry
1325 Jefferson
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
Call 901-722-4797
Emergency boxes of food are passed out. Staff can also refer clients to public aid such as SNAP food stamp application sites.
New Era MB Church
797 Laurel
Memphis, TN 38114
901.327.3471
United Methodist Neighborhood Center
Address of the food center - 1647 Dellwood
Memphis, TN 38107
Dial for help - (901) 357-9538
Food pantry is offered for anyone.
The Life Church
Address - 1800 N. Germantown Pkwy
Cordova, TN 38016
Call 901.751.0095
Good Neighbor Love Center Food Pantry
780 N. College Blvd
West Memphis, TN 72301
Telephone: 870.735.0870
Senior citizens can use this pantry for home delivered meals. Contents may be rice, milk, soup, and more. Other support can be referrals to school supplies or surplus USDA commodities.
Heartsong Church UMC Neighborhood Center
800 N. Houston Levee
Cordova, Tennessee 38016
901-755-6332
United Methodist Neighborhood Center
3000 Walnut Grove Rd.
Memphis, Tennessee 38111
(901) 323-4993
Both clothing and a food bank is run on site. Seniors as well as disabled often take priority.
Another location of United Methodist Neighborhood Center is at the address below.
602 Looney Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38107
Phone number - (901) 523-1036
Clothing and a food pantry is administered.
MIFA – Emergency Services
Shelby County residents who have experienced a job loss or reduction in hours, and the resulting unexpected loss of income in the last 90 days may be able to get help from this agency. The center can provide a free voucher for five-day supply of food, to be redeemed at an area food bank or pantry. Get assistance up to four times per year. The center is currently located at 910 Vance Avenue, Memphis 38126, or dial 901- 527-0208.
Tennessee Department of Human Services – Food Stamps. The government can provides monthly financial assistance and help with bills to low-income households and individuals through EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards which can be used to purchase food. Apply at the nearest Department of Human Services office, which includes
- North Branch Office - Family Assistance, 3230 Jackson Ave., Memphis, TN 38122, Call 901-320-7200.
- Also dial Welles Branch Office - Family Assistance, 3360 South Third Street, Memphis, TN 38109. Dial 901-344-5040.
- Or call the Toll-free Family Assistance Center number at 1-866-311-4287. Anyone who has had food aid cut or an application turned down, they can find help when denied SNAP food stamps.
Memphis agencies run the WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) program, which provides free baby formula and groceries, healthcare services to low-income pregnant, nutrition counseling, breast feeding and postpartum women, and support and programs to at-risk infants and young children. Call 901-528-0044 to get access to WIC Clinic locations.
Friends For Life
Address: 43 N Cleveland
Memphis, Tennessee 38104
Telephone - (901) 272-0855
The center provides food to eligible AIDS/HIV patients and their immediate families. Other support and guidance may be provided too.
St. Michael's Catholic Church
Food bank location is 3867 Summer Ave
Memphis, TN 38122
Call (901) 323-0896 for hours.
Runs a food pantry for only zip code 38122.
Raleigh Assembly of God - Monthly Food Pantry
3683 Austin Peay Hwy
Memphis, Tennessee 38128-3717
Phone number is (901) 386-5055
Provides food pantry and groceries on Saturday once per month for anyone in need of help. Or get laundry detergent, sanitizers, soap, and more.
St. Andrew AME Church
Location is 1369 Mississippi Blvd
Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 948-3441
The charity partners with other agencies to offer meals and other social services.
First Baptist Church
Location is 2903 Washington Road
Eads, TN 38028
Call the charity at 901-867-3502
Capleville Community Food Pantry
4725 Riverdale
Capleville, TN 38141
901.363.1859
Snacks may be given to children from low income families. Boxes of groceries are passed out to others.
Bellevue Baptist Church
3759 N Watkins
Memphis, Tennessee 38127
(901) 358-3391
Food is offered for 38107 and 38127 zip codes.
Landmark Food Pantry
Food Pantry address is 2489 Carnes Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38114
(901) 620-9558
In a crisis, there may be food provided from volunteers or referrals given to other local resources.
Additional free food programs in Shelby County
There are many other non-profit and charitable food pantries in Shelby County near you, as well as government programs. Call 901.527.0841 for linkage to pantries or soup kitchens, or to learn about application sites for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), surplus USDA commodities, or even the Meals on Wheels service for the elderly and disabled in Memphis.
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