How to Find Food Assistance in Your Community

If you’ve been feeling hungry lately, you’re not alone. While the USDA says 85.3% of U.S. households were food secure throughout 2009, because of the economic recession we’re experiencing, lack of nutritious food is a growing problem that is affecting more of us. Food pantries and kitchens are seeing a lot of new faces at their doors – families, young people, and middle- and working-class individuals.

No one should have to choose between food and paying for other necessities like rent, medical bills, heat, or transportation. There is no shame in getting the help you need.

Here is the information you need to beat hunger:

Call 2-1-1

47 states provide the 2-1-1 help line, which is a service of the United Way. Call the number, and you will be connected to a representative who can help you find local food, shelter, and childcare services. Find a full list of states that offer the 2-1-1 help-line.

For Resources by region: Northeast East Southeast North Central South Central West Southwest More States (plus Puerto Rico)

Northeast

In the Northeast, Maine and New York, as well as the city of Washington D.C. are above the nation average in food insecurity.

Maine Resources

By County

New York Resources

Agency	Resources
Food Bank For New York City	Food Program Locator
Food Bank of Western New York	To find services in your area: 716-852-1305
Food Bank of the Southern Tier	Pantries Soup Kitchens Mobile Food Pantry Distribution
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York	List of Agencies

Washington D.C. Resources

Food Bank	Agency Listing
Capitol Food Bank	Resource Locator

East

North Carolina and South Carolina all have high rates of food insecurity.

North Carolina Resources

Call 2-1-1, 828-252-4357, or:

Food Banks	Food Resources
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina	Resource Locator
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina	Resource Locator

South Carolina Resources

Food Banks	Food Resources
Lowcountry Food Bank	Food Resources For Children
Harvest Hope Food Bank	Columbia Florence Pee Dee Greater Greenville Lexington County
Golden Harvest Food Bank	Resource Locator

Southeast

Mississippi has the highest rate of food insecurity in the U.S. In the Southeast, Georgia and Tennessee also have high rates.

Georgia Resources

Call 2-1-1 for a representative who can tell you about the closest food resource location or:

Food Bank	Food Resources
Atlanta Community Food Bank	Metro Atlanta area and North Georgia Agencies (PDF)
Golden Harvest Food Bank	Resource Locator (on left-side of page)
Second Harvest of South Georgia	For Help Now please call 888-453-4143 Ext 200 to be referred to a local pantry
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia	Agency Locator for the Area

Mississippi Resources

Food Bank	Food Resources
Mississippi Food Network	601-353-7286, or Resources By County (scroll to map at the bottom of the page)
Bay Area Food Bank	Twelve Baskets, subsidiary of Mississippi Bay Area Food Bank

Tennessee Resources

Food Bank	Food Resources
Mid-South Food Bank	PDF list of agencies
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee	Agency Locator
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee	Call 423-477-4053 or 2-1-1

North Central

Of the North Central states, Kansas and Missouri have the highest rates of food insecurity. Illinois, specifically the urban center of Chicago is another location where food insecurity is common.

Illinois Resources

Food Bank	Food Resources
Greater Chicago Food Depository	Agency Locator
River Bend Food Bank	Meal Sites, Kid Cafes, and Co-Op Food Programs Food Pantry
Central Illinois Food Bank	List of agencies
Northern Illinois Food Bank	List of agencies
Tri-State Food Bank	List of agencies
Eastern Illinois Foodbank	List of Food Programs

Kansas Resources

Food Bank	Food Resources
Second Harvest Community Food Bank	List of agencies in Northeast Kansas (PDF)
Harvesters-The Community Food Network	Agency Locator
Kansas Food Bank	Map of food pantries and kitchens

Missouri Resources

Food Bank	Food Resources
Harvesters-The Community Food Network	Agency Locator
St. Louis Area Food Bank Agencies	List of agencies
The Food Bank For Central & Northeast Missouri	List of agencies
Southeast Missouri Food Bank	List of agencies
Second Harvest Community Food Bank	List of agencies (PDF)
Ozarks Food Harvest	Directory By County

South Central

The South Central states have some of the highest food insecurity rates in the country, with Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma at the top of the list.

Arkansas Resources

Food Bank	Food Resources
Arkansas Food Bank Network	List of Agencies
Harvest Texarkana	List of Agencies

Oklahoma Resources

For health and human services, call 2-1-1, or you can contact:

Region	Hotline Number
Northwest Oklahoma	866-927-1185
North Central Oklahoma	866-580-5010
Southwest Oklahoma	888-355-7575
2-1-1 of Southeastern Oklahoma	877-212-5526

Texas Resources

Like in most states, you can call 2-1-1 in Texas and be connected to a representative who will help you find services in your area. Or you can contact:

Food Bank	Food Resources
Southeast Texas Food Bank	List of Agencies
Harvest Texarkana	List of Agencies
Food Bank of the Golden Crescent	List of Agencies
East Texas Food Bank	List of Agencies
West Texas Food Bank	List of Agencies
Brazos Valley Food Bank	Agency Locator
Houston Food Bank	Agency Locator
Capital Area Food Bank of Texas	List of Agencies
High Plains Food Bank	List of Agencies

West

Oregon has a high child food insecurity rate. California's food insecurity rate is below the national average, but for kids the rate is also much higher.

Oregon Resources

Food Bank	Food Resource
Oregon Food Bank	Resource Locator

California Resources

If you dial 2-1-1 from any California number, you will be connected to a representative who will help you find food resources in your area. Many pantries ask for your zip code and a California ID, but some do not.

Southwest

New Mexico and Arizona have the highest rates of food insecurity in the Southwest region.

Arizona Resources

Food Bank	Food Resources
Community Food Bank	Pantries and Mobile Sites
United Food Bank	Emergency Food Boxes
St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance	Hot Meal/Food Box
Yuma Community Food Bank	Contact: 928-782-7924