There are a number of local food banks available to help support families in need.
Luzerne County Food Resources- Please call to ensure hours of operation have not changed
CEO Food Pantry
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
190 S. Main St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Mon & Wed 1-4pm, Fri 9AM-12PM
Phone: (570)908-2222
Visit their website for more information and resources: https://www.ceopeoplehelpingpeople.org/find_a_food_pantry
Keystone Mission – Wilkes-Barre
E. Northampton Blvd/ S WB Blvd Wilkes-Barre
Located in back parking lot (behind McDonalds)
Hot Food Served Friday- Monday 3pm- 5pm
Phone: (570)871-4795
Visit their website for more information and resources: https://www.keystonemission.org/mobile-outreach-wilkes-barre/
VOA Wilkes-Barre Main Office (Caring Alternatives)
25 N. River St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Mon-Fri, 8:30AM-4:30PM
Phone: (570) 825-5261
Visit their website for more information and resources: https://www.voapa.org/
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
105 Hill St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Wednesdays 10am-1pm
Phone (570) 824-0146)
St. Vincent De Paul Pantry & Soup Kitchen
39 E. Jackson St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Soup Kitchen: Daily 11AM-12:30PM
Food Bank: Tues & Thurs 9am-11am,
Phone: (570) 829-7796
Follow their FB page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/stvincentkitchen/
Christian Service Center - All Saints Parish
66 Willow St. Plymouth, PA 18651
Last Thurs. of the month 9-11AM
Phone: (570) 779-5323
Nanticoke Area Food Pantry
518 Hanover St. Nanticoke, PA 18634
Wednesdays 9-11am
Phone: (570)735-4833
PAK Fresh Food Family Market
Rear Parking Lot - Kingston Office, 451 3rd Ave
Usually every 3rd Friday each month
Check the Fresh Food Family Market- Food Distribution Facebook Page for dates
St. Nicholas Catholic Church Food Pantry
226 South Washington St. Wilkes-Barre PA
Every Wednesday, 10AM-12PM
Phone: (570) 823-7736
Salvation Army Wilkes-Barre
17 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Wilkes-Barre, PA
Mon- Fri By Appt, 9:30AM-2PM, Call for apt.
Phone: (570) 824-8741
Reach - St. Steven’s Church
35 S Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Mon-Fri 12-3PM
Phone: (570) 829-5611
Follow their FB page for more info: https://www.freefood.org/l/pa_18701_reach-of-st-stephens-church
Ebenezer Assembly of God
269 Thomas St. Plains, PA 18702
Fridays 10AM-12PM
Phone: (570) 822-4256
Ashley Area Food Pantry - St. Leos Church
33 Manhattan St. Ashley, PA 18706
2nd Thursday of each month 10AM-12:30 PM & 5:30PM- 7:00PM
Phone: (570) 822-3639
Back Mountain Food Pantry
40 Knob Hill Rd. Trucksville, 18708
Fridays 10AM-12PM
Phone: (570) 696-2917
Jenkins Township Food Distribution
2 2nd St. Jenkins Township, PA 18640
1st Friday of every Month 11AM - 2PM
What you'll need:
When you visit a food pantry, you will be asked to complete a “Self-Declaration of Need” form to certify that you meet the income eligibility guidelines. You do NOT need proof of your income.
Upon your visit, you may need: Photo ID and Verification of Address.
*The above information has been provided by Amanda Gordineer from the Food Dignity movement. Information updated by Amber Nevin of Macaroni Kid Wilkes-Barre October 2022
Do you know of a local Food Pantry not listed here?
Please submit all the details to ambern@macaronikid.com so we can add it to the list!
Additional Local Resources:
Fork Over Love is a local organization serving hot local take out meals from local resturants to families for free locally.
"We’re on a mission to nourish our community a new system of care elevates all who are struggling. We do this by purchasing delicious, chef-made takeout dinners from our small, independent restaurant partners and then distributing those dinners to the entire community for free because we know nothing beats a hot dinner served with dignity and love by people who care.
We empower our people to change the narrative on food insecurity by feeding their neighbors like family so that all who are struggling can feel safe, secure, seen, and fed. Love is the currency that connects us. When we share it unconditionally, everyone benefits."
Attend a local dinner, learn more, or donate here: https://forkoverlove.org/events
If you are interested in helping support a local food bank here is some more information and tips:
Top types of food to donate:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
- Canned beans
- Pasta
- Rice
Tips:
- Always ensure items are not expired
- Most food banks are currently only accepting non-perishable food items
- Consider canned items with lids that have openers attached (not all recipients will have can openers)
- Monetary Donations & Volunteering are also a great way to support our local food banks
Additional Resources:
WIC: Local 501(c)3 non-profit, Maternal Family Health Services provides one of the most widely recognized service: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program. WIC helps eligible families access nutritionally-sound food, nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support — and with electronic eWIC benefits, it’s never been more convenient. Thousands of people in our area are eligible for WIC benefits but don’t yet know it! Click to learn more about WIC and view WIC eligibility guidelines to see if you or someone you know might qualify.
Click to learn more about WIC and view WIC eligibility guidelines to see if you or someone you know might qualify.
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. Read more HERE about SNAP and SNAP eligibility.
Local Food Pantry information was generously provided by a local 501c3 humanitarian organization, the Food Dignity movement. The mission of the Food Dignity movement is to work to address the stigma around food assistance and the societal roots of hunger in America. We develop ideas, grow leaders, fund actions, and join forces with organizations and communities to uncover and address places of hidden hunger and food inequity. They believe everyone—people of every race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, or walk of life—should have access to nourishing foods to support a dignified and thriving life. Read more about the Food Dignity movement and support their local mission:
Food Dignity® Movement |
If you know of any additional local resources supporting food insecurity please send me the details so we can get it added to this guide: ambern@macaronikid.com!
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