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Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens

Food Pantries provide food to low-income residents. This food is picked up by residents at the local pantry and is prepared and consumed at home.

Soup Kitchens provide prepared meals for people with low income.

How to Find Help

We can help you find the food pantry or soup kitchen closest to your home. Dial 2-1-1 at any time to speak with one of our resource specialists or search the NJ 211 database using the search term "food" and choose from the search categories. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 and NJ 211 will text you information about resources in your community. 

Call Before you Go

Individual food pantries and soup kitchens have specific days and hours when they are open. They don’t always have food available. Before you go, you should always call the food pantry or soup kitchen to find out when they are open and if they have food. Most pantries offer a three to five day supply of healthy food for your family. When possible, pantries provide special items for those family members on restricted diets.

What to Bring

Most pantries will require some form of identification such as a Social Security card, Public Assistance, or photo ID. Many also require a referral letter from a social service agency such as the Board of Social Services, a community organization, or your place of worship to show proof of your need for assistance.

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