Find where free food is available, including from programs near you near you. There are many places that provide groceries, a free box of produce or canned food as well as other items. All local communities have charitable pantries, churches, and other distribution centers that help feed struggling low income families and really anyone in need. Find details on how and where to get free food in your area, including from a pantry, local giveaway or food bank.

A list of free food distribution programs, including for local communities as well as state distribution centers, are all listed below. Even if a location is not near where you may live, they may still offer referrals or even help people sign up for a free, low cost delivery service for a meal. The main categories of programs and places that give free food in local communities, with links to more resources, include the following.

Links to national programs that give out free food
List of city, county and state food assistance programs

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

Many national organizations operate local programs that give out free food, applications to benefits, groceries and really try to help anyone that is facing hunger. As some charities or government programs focus on specific needs (but have a local presence), and those those resources are below.

In addition to free food being given out now, long term support is often provided. Food pantries as well as human services offices will often help process SNAP food stamp or WIC applications as well as other USDA assistance programs. Families with a very low or no income can also get emergency food stamp cards.
In some cases, food can be delivered to a family or person that can’t make it to a local pantry or distribution center. Senior citizens, the sick and the disabled may be able to apply for local Meals on Wheels services near them.

Struggling people that are homebound with pets can also get help as well. If a senior or homebound person either can't afford to buy, or is unable to make it to a store, free pet food can be given as part of Meals on Wheels.

Free hot meals are often provided by some charity organizations as well as a box of groceries, including during the holidays. The programs near you will help the homeless, unemployed, and people with no money. Get a free meal near you from a soup kitchen.
Salvation Army has free food giveaways in most local communities. Everything from a pantry to a soup kitchen can be used by the homeless or low income. Find a food bank at a Salvation Army.
Emergency food is given as well. People facing a crisis or unexpected hardship can get help today. A number of charities and churches are open daily and give out free food, groceries or meals, and find how to get emergency food near you.
Infant and free baby formula is provided too from a food bank near you. This is provided for parents with newborns that have no other resources available to them. A focus of the churches as well as charities that run them is to help single parents, and that can be given baby and infant formula.
Free pet food is for the low-income as well. Whether right or wrong, the fact is many people treat their dogs or cats as members of the family, with often seniors or the disabled needing their pets. There are local programs that may be near you that can help people feed their animals(s) and find free pet food programs.
Several national or local restaurants service free food. 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 free food coupons with no purchase needed.

“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.
Referrals to free food programs are offered from Feeding America. It is a national network of organizations that give out free food, with many pantries giving food out daily - even today. There are thousands of distribution centers with one more than likely near you. The centers provide fresh and canned food locally, and find details here. https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank.

List of city, county and state food assistance programs

Find a local food pantry that may be in your area, near you, listed below, by state and/or county. Some are open 7 days a week, others address emergency situations, and some are open very limited hours. It is recommended to call in advance. Or do you want to ask a question or read what other people are saying about the options out there? We have a discussion forum about free food where you can read real experiences and community replies from across the country.

Everyone from the working poor to families facing a one time hardship can get assistance from an organization that will often be right near them. In addition to a free box of food (or more) other local programs operate soup kitchens, so there may be a free groceries given out along with a hot meal served (hot breakfast, dinner, or lunch) served nearby too.

Alabama