Do any food banks deliver?
Some do, but it varies by organization and region. Food banks near you may offer delivery for visitors who are housebound, have unreliable transportation, or have other factors.
There’s no guarantee a food bank in your area will deliver, or that you qualify for delivery based on their criteria. You may need to reach out to your local organization to find out if they deliver.
Read on to learn about national and local food banks that offer meal or food delivery.
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United Way#united-way
Some United Way chapters offer a home grocery delivery program through partnerships with DoorDash and Amazon Flex.
To enroll, you’ll need to fill out a simple application to assess eligibility. If you’re accepted into the home delivery program, you’ll receive regular deliveries from a local food pantry.
To find out if home grocery delivery is available in your area, visit UnitedWay.org to find your local chapter or call 211 for information on local services.
Meals on Wheels#meals-on-wheels
Meals on Wheels delivers prepared meals for seniors, as well as other people who are homebound and in need of assistance.
You may qualify for Meals on Wheels if you’re:
- Over the age of 60
- Under the age of 60, but homebound and unable to provide meals for yourself
- A caregiver to a person over the age of 60 or a person who is homebound
- Temporality recovering from a surgery or illness and unable to provide meals for yourself
Meals on Wheels has a straightforward application and assessment process. Depending on your needs, you may qualify for free or low-cost meals delivered to your door.
Reach out to your local Meals on Wheels chapter to learn more.
Feeding America’s OrderAhead#feeding-americas-orderahead
Feeding America doesn’t offer delivery, but it does have OrderAhead, an online platform where you can order free groceries online in advance, before you go to a food bank.
OrderAhead can be used by anyone who is eligible for a food bank. It may be a helpful option for people with limited mobility who have reliable transportation to a food bank. OrderAhead is not available in all areas.
Local nonprofit and community groups#local-nonprofit-and-community-groups
Some local food banks may offer delivery. Here’s how you can find them:
- State and county Department of Human Services websites may offer a guide of food bank resources based on needs and where you live. You can call or visit the local food banks to learn more.
- Your local SNAP benefits office may be able to share food banks in your area that offer delivery. Call your benefits office, or if you’re enrolled in SNAP, reach out to your case manager for more information.
- The Salvation Army has a network of food banks across the country. Use the online search tool to find one in your area, and ask whether they offer delivery services.
- Community centers, faith-based organizations, or senior centers near you often have small food banks on site. Call and ask if they offer delivery.
Qualifying for a food bank delivery program#qualifying-for-a-food-bank-delivery-program
Eligibility for a food bank varies by organization and location. To qualify for need-based delivery programs, you may have to show additional information.
A food bank may ask for some or all of the following to enroll in delivery programs:
- Proof of income
- Proof of residency
- An intake interview or session, which determines your need for delivery
Based on their resources, some food banks may offer delivery on a needs basis, while others might offer delivery to any qualified visitor.
