This guide walks through the three fastest ways to find a food pantry on PantryFinder, plus some tips on what to do if you don't find one near you.
1. Search by ZIP code
The fastest method: type your 5-digit ZIP code into the search bar at the top of any page (or on the search page). PantryFinder returns every listing whose ZIP starts with those digits, usually within a few miles of you. If you live in a sparsely covered ZIP, try the ZIP one or two over — many neighborhoods straddle ZIP boundaries and the closest pantry might technically be in the next ZIP.
2. Browse by state and city
If you don't have a ZIP handy, click Browse by state on the homepage. Pick your state, then pick your city or town. Each city page lists every pantry on file with addresses, phone numbers, and (when available) hours. If your specific town isn't listed, try the closest larger city — many regional food banks serve multiple counties.
3. Search by name
If you've heard of a specific pantry or food bank by name (for instance, "Greater Chicago Food Depository" or "Capital Area Food Bank"), type it into the text search on the search page. Partial matches work — "depository" alone will find many of the major food depositories nationwide.
What's on a listing page
Every individual pantry has a detail page with the address, phone number, hours when known, and a link to open the location in your default mapping app. The detail page also lists a few nearby pantries in the same city in case the first one is closed or has long lines.
If you can't find a pantry near you
- Dial 2-1-1 from any U.S. phone. United Way's helpline maintains a real-time list of food, shelter, and utility assistance and is staffed 24/7 in over 180 languages.
- Search "[your county name] food bank" on a major search engine and visit that food bank's official locator. Many food banks list mobile pantries that visit different towns on different days, which won't always appear on PantryFinder.
- Apply for SNAP through your state's Department of Human Services. SNAP benefits load onto an EBT card and can be used at most grocery stores and many farmers' markets.
If you tried PantryFinder and we should have a pantry that we don't, please tell us — we'll add it.