Get Food This Week
Last Updated: 11/14/2023
Food pantries and soup kitchens are good options for anyone needing access to food quickly, this includes students and their family members. Eligibility for assistance differs depending on the local organization you are seeking support from. There are several organizations that only require you to be a New Jersey resident and others that welcome everyone, no questions asked.
What To Expect When Visiting a Food Pantry
- Depending on your location, the pantry may be walk-in
- May be by appointment.
- May ask you for some documentation like a photo ID, Social Security card and/or proof of residence
- May require a mask due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To make your experience as easy as possible, we recommend the following steps:
- Check out the links below to identify which pantries are located near you.
- After locating your nearest pantry, check for their required documents, appointments, and hours.
- If it's a pantry that requires an appointment, give them a call to set one up.
- As needed, make sure you gather any necessary documents in advance of the day you're heading to the pantry. If you need a photo ID, you can visit your nearest NJ Motor Vehicle Commission and if you need to replace a Social Security card, visit this page from the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Food Pantries + Hot Meals
Statewide Search
Atlantic County
Bergen County
- Bergen County Food Security Task Force. Scroll down to "Find a Food Pantry" and type in your city, address or zip code. The options will pop up just underneath the search area.
- Center for Food Action's Appointment-Only Drive-Through Service. Complete the form and someone will call you back to schedule an appointment. You may schedule an appointment once every two weeks. FYI: While the contents of your food package will vary, you will receive nonperishables, and dairy, eggs, meat, bread, and produce when it is available.
- Needhelppayingbills.com list of food pantries (Bergen).
Burlington County
- Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantries. Kosher, non-perishable food and personal care items to food-insecure households. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, clients are currently receiving monthly, contactless grocery deliveries. Call 856-424-1333 or email faphelp@jfedsnj.org to schedule an intake appointment.
- Food Bank of South New Jersey.
- Needhelppayingbills.com list of food pantries (Burlington).
Camden County
- Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantries. Kosher, non-perishable food and personal care items to food-insecure households. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, clients are currently receiving monthly, contactless grocery deliveries. Call 856-424-1333 or email faphelp@jfedsnj.org to schedule an intake appointment.
- Food Bank of South New Jersey.
- Needhelppayingbills.com list of food pantries (Camden).
Cumberland County
Essex County
- MEND Hunger Relief Network of Essex County, NJ.
- Needhelppayingbills.com list of food pantries (Essex).
Gloucester County
- Gloucester County Resource Directory.
- Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantries. Kosher, non-perishable food and personal care items to food-insecure households. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, clients are currently receiving monthly, contactless grocery deliveries. Call 856-424-1333 or email faphelp@jfedsnj.org to schedule an intake appointment.
- Food Bank of South New Jersey (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem Counties)
- South Jersey Dream Center. Curbside pickup for groceries and baby items in West Deptford, Wednesdays from 12pm to 2:30pm - by appointment only. Fill in the form on the website to connect with the organization and get an appointment.
- Food Banks in New Jersey's Heartland.
- Needhelppayingbills.com list of food pantries (Gloucester).
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
- Fulfill NJ. They also offer child food programs and SNAP enrollment assistance.
- Lunch Break. Provides three meals a day Monday-Friday as well as a Saturday breakfast. They also have a client choice food pantry six days a week. Currently, services are to-go due to COVID-19. Check the calendar for hours. Located at 121 Drs. James Parker Boulevard in Red Bank, NJ.
- Needhelppayingbills.com list of food pantries (Monmouth).
Montgomery County
- Montgomery Evangelical Free Church Food Pantry. A free pantry at the church. Open air, honor system (take what you need and donate what you can). Located at 246 Belle Mead Griggstown Road, Belle Mead, NJ 08502. Phone number: 908-874-4634.
Ocean County
- Fulfill NJ. They also offer child food programs and SNAP enrollment assistance.
- Plentiful Plates of Ocean County NJ. Call (201) 394-9175, email toniski158@gmail.com, or WhatsApp message off of the Facebook page for more information.
- Needhelppayingbills.com list of food pantries (Ocean).
Passaic County
- [Note: Upper Passaic] Center for Food Action's Appointment-Only Drive-Through Service. Complete the form and someone will call you back to schedule an appointment. You may schedule an appointment once every two weeks. FYI: While the contents of your food package will vary, you will receive nonperishables, and dairy, eggs, meat, bread, and produce when it is available.
- Eva's Village - Community Kitchen. Serves breakfast at 8:30am Monday through Friday, lunch at 12pm and 1pm Monday through Friday, and one lunch at 12pm on Saturday and Sunday.
- Needhelppayingbills.com list of food pantries (Passaic).
Salem County
Somerset County
- Somerset County Food Banks/Pantries/Soup Kitchens for Residents.
- Needhelppayingbills.com list of food pantries (Somerset).
Union County
Warren County
- Washington Community Food Pantry.Call 908-689-2547 to make sure you are eligible. Located at First Presbyterian Church of Washington at 40 East Church Street, Washington NJ. Hours are Tuesday-Friday and every 3rd Saturday from 9:15am - 11am. (Closed on holidays.)