Are there any resources for finding food pantries or meal sites?
You or someone you love may be impacted by changes to federal assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Food banks, food pantries, and community food distribution events provide much-needed help when federal assistance programs are interrupted. Please use the information and resources below to find food banks, food pantries, and food distribution events near you.
Feeding America is a national non-profit that offers an online search tool/interactive map to find the nearest food pantry or hot meal site. Feeding America recommends that help seekers contact food pantry or hot meal sites prior to arrival to confirm correct hours and ensure that they are located within their service area.
Hunger Free America operates the National Hunger Hotline, a resource for individuals and families seeking information on how to obtain food. The National Hunger Hotline staff connects callers with emergency food providers in their community, government assistance programs, and various social services. Call the hotline Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) for English or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273), for Spanish. You can also text the hotline at 914-342-7744.
WhyHunger is a national nonprofit working to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world. The organization offers a Hotline & Find Food Database to connect people in need across the U.S. to food pantries, soup kitchens, summer meal sites, government nutrition programs, and grassroots organizations that provide access to free food and support services. Visit the WhyHunger website, call 1(800) 5-HUNGRY, or text your zip code to 1-800-548-6479 to find local emergency food providers and other support services.
Salvation Army provides nutritious meals and groceries to families and individuals struggling to put food on the table. Use Salvation Army’s online services directory to search for information about neighborhood food pantries, mobile food pantries, and food distribution for those with limited mobility or time.
The U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a Food Pantries search feature on their website. Visit HUDs Find Shelter webpage, enter your zip code, select "food pantries", and click "search" to view an interactive map of food pantry resources in your area.
Other resources to find the nearest food pantry or hot meal site include:
- 211: Call or text 211 to connect with a community specialist who can provide information on local food assistance programs.
- State food bank directories: These can list smaller, local food banks that may not be part of a national network. To find a state food bank directory, search online for "[your state name] food bank directory".
- Community and faith-based organizations: Check with local community centers, senior centers, churches, and other faith-based groups; many run their own food pantries.
- Local social media: Keep an eye on local social media groups for information on smaller, one-time, or pop-up food distribution events. Consider following or searching the pages of local organizations and community groups to find these announcements. For example:
- Your local county government
- Your community library
- Your local community behavioral health facility
- Volunteer and social service organizations in the community
- "Buy Nothing" Facebook groups
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