If you need food today, this guide lists the fastest ways to get connected to a food pantry, meal program or emergency help, in the order we suggest trying them. It covers the 211 phone service, the Feeding America food bank locator, a national hunger hotline, and this site's state and county pages. It also explains what to say when you call, and what to do if the first place you try cannot help. Pantry hours and rules change, so none of the tools below replaces a short phone call to confirm.
Option 1: Call 211
211 is the national three-digit number for information and referrals to community services. According to 211.org, the Federal Communications Commission designated 211 for this purpose in 2000. The 211 website says:
- Local experts are available to help, 24/7.
- Calls are confidential and can be anonymous.
- The service is provided by more than 200 local 211 agencies across the country, run by different kinds of organizations, including United Ways, Goodwill, Community Action Partnerships and local crisis centers.
- Most requests are from people looking for help meeting basic needs like housing, food, transportation and health care.
When you call, say what you need and where you are. A short sentence is enough: "I need food for my family today, and I live in (county or ZIP code)." The 211 specialist searches for programs near you. Ask them to include hours, what to bring, and whether the place serves your area. The 211.org site also describes web chat and text options in some areas, so check the website for what your local 211 offers.
Option 2: Feeding America's food bank locator
Feeding America says your local food bank can help you find food today, even if you need temporary help. Food banks partner with pantries, soup kitchens and meal programs in your community to give away free food. On Feeding America's "Find your local food bank" page you enter your ZIP code to find the Feeding America network food bank nearest you, and click the food bank to see hours, locations and services at partner pantries and meal programs.
Feeding America adds an important reminder: your nearest food bank is listed, and you should contact them directly for local services and hours. If you are not sure what a food bank is or how it differs from a pantry, read food bank vs. food pantry vs. soup kitchen.
Option 3: A national hunger hotline
Feeding America's help page lists the Hunger Free America Hunger Hotline for additional support finding food now. When you call, staff connect you to food providers and other resources in your community. The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. The numbers are 1-866-348-6479 for English operators and 1-877-842-6273 for Spanish operators.
Option 4: This site's state and county pages
FoodBankLocator.org has a page for each state and county. Each county page shows, depending on the data available for that county:
- The regional food bank that serves the county, based on the Feeding America member list, with its phone number and website. Where we have no mapped food bank for a county, the page shows the state's food banks instead.
- SNAP-authorized retailers in the county from the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator. These are stores that accept SNAP. They are not places that give out free food.
What our pages do not have is pantry hours or pantry schedules. The data sources page explains what we know and what we do not. Use our county page to find the phone number of the right food bank, then call it. Browse all states to start.
What to say when you call
Whichever number you reach, these questions get you to useful answers quickly.
- Where is the nearest pantry or meal program that is open today?
- What are the hours, and do I need an appointment?
- Do I have to live in a certain area to use it?
- Is there anything I need to bring?
- Is there a program for children, seniors or people who cannot leave home? Feeding America says food banks run programs such as School Pantry and BackPack programs for children and senior food programs.
For a longer list, see the first pantry visit guide.
If you need more than one meal
A pantry solves today's problem, and benefits address the longer one. While you are on the phone, ask about:
- SNAP. Feeding America says it can connect you with your nearest food bank's application assistance program. Read how SNAP works and how to apply in your state.
- WIC, if you are pregnant or have a child under 5. See the WIC guide.
- School and summer meals for children. See school meals and Summer EBT.
- Senior programs. See senior food programs.
- Disaster help, if your need follows a storm, flood or fire. See D-SNAP.
If the first place cannot help
Programs close for the day, run out of supplies, or serve only certain areas. Ask the person you spoke with where else to try. Then call 211 or your regional food bank again and say what happened. Feeding America notes that some pantries and programs have additional requirements such as living in a certain area, so being turned away from one does not mean you cannot get help from another.
Sources
- 211.org, About 211, retrieved October 18, 2026.
- 211.org, retrieved October 18, 2026.
- Feeding America, Find your local food bank, retrieved October 18, 2026.
- Feeding America, Need help? Find food, retrieved October 18, 2026.
- USDA, SNAP State Directory, retrieved October 18, 2026.
Last reviewed: October 18, 2026.