How to Find a Food Pantry

Bread is a common staple at food pantries.

Many people turn to food pantries to get food to survive. A food pantry is a charitable organization that collects a mixture of canned and fresh foods to give back out to the community. The food in food pantries is free, as opposed to using state aid to buy groceries in a supermarket.

Significance

According to the Feeding America website, one person in six goes to bed without proper food and nutrition. This includes children.

Sizes

Food pantries can be located in small or large communities. Sometimes they function in conjunction with a soup kitchen or church, but they often exist as a separate entity serving people in need.

Finding Food Pantries

There are many resources for finding food pantries. Information is posted in public areas, such as public transportation hubs, public health offices and public libraries with free Internet access. It is available as well through schools, counselors, homeless shelters and soup kitchens. Most pantries will also advertise their services on a community board at local supermarkets or post offices.

Religious Community

Some churches or other religious organizations offer food for free, but require that you participate in a religious service, even if it is just to listen or meet with a counselor. Churches and religious organizations have a wealth of resources provided by their members. Many of these are cross-denominational.

References

• Causes of Hunger
• Food Banks by State (Food pantires. org)
• Food Pantries by State (Feeding America.org)
• How Does Food Banking Work? (God's pantry.org)