Massachusetts Food Banks >> Springfield Food Assistance

Food banks, soup kitchens and food pantries in Springfield MA

Rachel's Table Springfield, MA 01108 413.733.9165	Details: Since 1992, Rachel's Table has been working to alleviate hunger and reduce food waste in Western Massachusetts. Six days a week, more than 200 volunteers collect food from local supermarkets, restaurants, caterers and bakeries, and deliver it to 43 agencies, including soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters. Our agencies, which are located in Springfield, Longmeadow, West Springfield, Feeding Hills, Chicopee, Holyoke, and Indian Orchard, depend upon Rachel's Table as an ongoing source of nutritious and tasty food. Rachel's Table is also a catalyst for community activism. Our volunteers come from varied backgrounds, religions and cultures, and range in age from teenagers to people in their nineties. In 2007, we initiated a gleaning program that provides students and other young volunteers with the opportunity to rescue thousands of pounds of nutritious produce from local farms. The volunteers bring the produce to the agencies, giving them the powerful experience of directly helping those in need.
Open Pantry Community Services, Inc. - Emergency Food Pantry Springfield, MA 01107 413.737.5353	Details: Open Pantry's Emergency Food Pantry (EFP) has been providing non-perishable groceries for people in need since 1975. Both individuals and families in the Springfield area come to the EFP on an emergency basis. Families comprise 48% of the people served and nearly 50% of all the food distributed is for children. Recipients may use this service up to six times a year. This number was increased from four to help meet the increasing needs of our community. Senior recipients may access the service 12 times a year. We have a special program specifically for seniors. The Senior Food Choice program is a program designed for seniors to shop exclusively on the 3rd Monday of each month at our Emergency Food Pantry. Senior Day offers Seniors the opportunity to choose their own food in a dignified grocery store like setting. Seniors are assisted by a staff member or volunteer who assists them with selecting their groceries, pushing their carts and helping with any questions they may have. Staff members at EFP complete an intake process with each recipient. This process not only allows EFP staff to report on existing needs, but it also creates an opportunity to refer people to other essential services. Additionally, we assist with applications for SNAP benefits (no long called food stamps). We also have advocacy services for those who are having difficulties getting or accessing their SNAP benefits. EFP is located at 2460 Main Street in Suite 108 & 108B in the Plaza Del Mercado in Springfield. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Open Pantry Community Services, Inc. - Loaves & Fishes Community Kitchen Springfield, MA 01105 413.731.5668	Details: Our Loaves & Fishes Community Kitchen has provided prepared meals to people who are disadvantaged in Greater Springfield on a daily basis since it began in 1980. Lunch and supper are available seven days a week. Over 750 volunteers from faith communities, civic groups, area businesses and student organizations are involved in the preparation and serving of nutritious meals. Loaves & Fishes is a life sustaining service and essential to the health of people who are disadvantaged. Providing meals is not only a way to prevent malnutrition and improve health, but also a way to connect people to other essential services.
All Nation Church of God Food Pantry Springfield, MA 01109 413.736.9775	Details: Our Food bank distribution is made possible by The Food Bank of Western Masschusetts and funding by the All Nation Church. When: Every Second Saturday of Every Month. Time: 10 AM - Noon. Apart from our monthly distribution we also provide emergency distribution to individuals and families in extreme need and in severe circumstances as supplies allow.
Friends of the Homeless - Meals Springfield, MA 01105 413.732.3069	Details: Homeless men and women are provided three basic meals per day, 365 days a year, in the dining room located within the Homeless Resource Center on the FOH Campus. The fully licensed kitchen serves over 150,000 meals every year to FOH clients and others in the community who would otherwise go hungry. Meals are served Sunday through Saturday in the FOH dining room at 755 Worthington Street. Breakfast: 8:00 - 9:00 AM; Lunch: 12:00-1:00 PM; Supper: 4:30-5:30 PM. Meal sponsors are always welcome. Because FOH operates a fully licensed kitchen that must meet local, state and federal guidelines, we are restricted from accepting certain kinds of donations, specifically pre-prepared food. We cannot allow food not prepared in our kitchen, under our supervision to be served to our guests, on our property. Please consult the Food Contributions and Volunteer page for guidelines. We could not serve 150,000 meals each year without the help of volunteers.
Mt. Zion Soup Kitchen Ministry Springfield, MA 01109 413.785.5664	Details: The Mt. Zion Soup Kitchen Ministry has been in operation since 1999. Staff members administer to the needs of Church members and the surrounding community by providing healthy, nutritional meals to all who come through its doors each Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Salvation Army Springfield Food Pantry Springfield, MA 01101 413.733.1518	Details: The Salvation Army in Springfield maintains an onsite food pantry to help meet emergency needs.
St. John's Congregational Church Food Pantry Springfield, MA 01109 413.734.2283	Details: Families and individuals in need can receive assistance in the form of food packages. Food packages are assembled according to USDA guidelines. This service is available for residents of Greater Springfield.
Third Baptist Church Food Pantry Springfield, MA 01105 413.734.4143	Details: