Food banks and food pantries: How they work and what to expect
Food banks and food pantries provide free groceries, basic household supplies and some offer other items to struggling individuals and families. These programs are operated by churches, charities, and regional non-profits among other organizations and are available everywhere from cities to rural areas, all with the goal of helping people that face food insecurity. This page explains what food banks and pantries are and how people can use them during a financial hardship.
Food banks generally function as larger distribution centers that supply food to smaller, local food pantries, soup kitchens, and community meal programs. While some directly provide groceries to people in need, many don’t. Food pantries are the local locations where individuals and families will always be able to receive food directly, as resources allow. Some pantries allow clients to choose items based on their needs (normally known as a “client choice pantry”, while others distribute pre-packed boxes of groceries. Distribution models vary by organization, funding, and food availability.
A wide range of people can get help, including low-income families, seniors, single parents, people with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness can use a food bank or pantry - really anyone in need. Most programs are intended to provide immediate relief. While some pantries may request proof of residency or identification to people seeking help, many will give out free food and other supplies to any applicant as they focus on reducing barriers so people can access food quickly.
The type of food given out depends on local donations, partnerships, and funding. The locations may offer shelf-stable groceries, fresh produce, meat, dairy items, infant formula, culturally appropriate foods, or prepared meals. Many food pantries also distribute non-food essentials such as hygiene products, paper goods, and personal or household cleaning supplies. Some of the main categories of food distribution centers include the following.
Find food banks, distribution centers and pantries near you
This page explains how pantries and food banks operate and the types of assistance they provide. To find free food distribution programs by city, county, or state, including locations and phone numbers, visit the food assistance directory at https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/free_food_near_you.html.
Type of food given out by a pantry
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Based on the organization, and resources, many give out shelf-stable or fresh food. This can include cereal, pasta, rice, cheese, dairy items, meats, fresh fruit, produce, eggs or vegetables. Some will provide bread, baby formula, frozen food, low-salt or gluten free food, ensure to the elderly and other perishable goods. But the exact items given out will depend on the location, inventory, and demand from the public.
- 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 often still perfectly safe to eat for a period of time, as the meaning of sell by or expiration date vary. But you can find a guide of food expiration dates, what they mean and the different classifications.
A food pantry will also try to focus on the dietary needs of kids, infants or senior citizens too, as they may need other types of food. However, 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 as well.
In addition, many pantries give out of other supplies. This includes personal hygiene items, household cleaning stuff, feminine goods, laundry detergent and paper products. An individual will just need to call the food distribution center to get the specifics on the assistance programs administered.
Organizations that have a food bank or pantry
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Food banks, pantries and other distribution centers are located at a wide range of church and local charity organizations as well as national groups. Charities like the Salvation Army have free food programs, Saint Vincent de Paul parishes or Catholic Charities will run a distribution center at their local branches and will often give free food daily to clients, if the pantry has supplies. There are some non-profits that also have pop up or drive-thru locations, with details here on how to be alerted to food pantry giveaways which may be held last minute.
Food banks or a pantry, and the staff on site, help people apply for government food benefit programs and are a source of information. The federal government runs a large number of hunger prevention programs for the low income as well as families living in poverty or close to it, whether from the USDA or other government agencies. There may also be help apply for their local state benefits as well as county organizations. More on government food assistance programs.
Soup kitchens, which many food pantries also have, serve free meals. Many charities or churches service hot meal to anyone in need. Depending on the feeding site, they may have a free hot breakfast, lunch or dinner or even deliver frozen meals to the homebound that can’t make it for a meal. Many charities feed people during the holidays too. The homeless and people in a short term crisis can all get free hot or cold meals from the soup kitchens in their area.
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, national nonprofit agency that works with food pantries, soup kitchens and other distribution centers in all 50 states. The national organization provides groceries, perishable items, free boxes of food and perishable items to its regional partners. Those locations then serve low income families, and learn more about Feeding America including locations.
Free home delivery of meals is provided to the disabled, seniors or sick - in effect the homebound. A number of food pantries offer this service. However it is usually only available for senior citizens on social security or the disabled with mobility issues who live on a low-income and lack transportations. Volunteers deliver food, groceries, hot meals, nutritional supplements, and other items at the same time as checking on the welfare of the recipient, and learn more about Meals on Wheels home delivery service.
- Get free pet food delivered from a charity too. Seniors, the homebound and disabled can get dog or cat food, pet supplies and more from either a (1) a food pantry, (2) senior center, or a (3) Meals on Wheels type service which will provide free pet food deliveries for seniors.
Non-profit operated, online databases offer information on other places with a food bank or pantry. Anyone seeking options can learn about them from various sources, including Feeding America as well as Ample Harvest. Use those non-profit clearinghouses/databased to possibly find more food banks, their hours, and which are open daily. As there is no one complete source of all the places to get help. Or for more details on free food banks and pantries, dial the USDA Hungry Relief hotline at 1-866-348-6479 (English) or 1-877-84-6273 (Spanish).
Get free coupons to save on food or maybe learn about giveaways. Food banks often partner with local companies and retailers in the local community. Together they will provide consumers with everything from information on emergency programs to 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 with more information here about free coupon deals that can help pay for groceries or allow people to get free items.
Free holiday food, both at Christmas and Thanksgiving, is available from many food pantries as well as some regional food banks. Some provide free boxes of “holiday tailored” groceries as well as ingredients, or entire meals, along with small gifts. Or the programs that help people at Christmas hold parties and gatherings for the entire family.
List of example food banks and food pantries
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The food banks and pantries listed below are examples of statewide food distribution networks. These organizations often supply local pantries, meal sites, and community distribution centers within cities and counties or they directly give food to a person in need, such as a pantry. Availability of the products given out, hours, and eligibility rules vary by location. For a complete list of local food pantries, visit free food distribution programs by area.
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
Need additional help from a food pantry?
Please send us an email @ [email protected] Include your email address and state. It is never shared. The information is needed to send a reply on hunger prevention programs and local food banks or free pantries.
Or do you want to read about other people's experiences in dealing with food banks and pantries - no matter the state? Or read what people are doing that are struggling to pay for groceries? As we have a forum on food banks and pantries where you can ask a question or read about real people’s experiences from across the US. You may find other programs listed there too.
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