• What are food pantries and soup kitchens?
• Who can get food from a food pantry or soup kitchen?
• How do I find a food pantry or soup kitchen?
• Who runs food pantries and soup kitchens in Philadelphia?
• How many people do these programs help?
• How can I help these programs?

Q: What are food pantries and soup kitchens?
A: Food pantries are agencies that distribute bags of groceries to people in need. There are an estimated 700 food pantries in Philadelphia alone.

Soup kitchens serve hot meals to people in need.

Q: Who can get food from a food pantry or soup kitchen?
A: It depends on the food pantry. Some food pantries serve people whose household income falls below a certain limit, often 150% of the federal poverty limit. Other food pantries have less stringent requirements.

Soup kitchens typically serve anyone, regardless of income.

Q: How do I find a food pantry or soup kitchen?
A: Refer to our Philadelphia Food Pantry Map. The maps lists addresses, phone numbers and hours of operation for many food pantries and soup kitchens in the region.

NOTE: All details on the map are subject to change. Before visiting any food pantry or soup kitchen, call ahead to confirm that it is open and that it has food available.

Q: Who runs food pantries and soup kitchens in Philadelphia?
A: Most food pantries and soup kitchens are small, faith-based programs, often run by one or two volunteers. Many of the people who run these programs are seniors with limited resources of their own.

Q: How many people do these programs help?
A: In 2009, 316,861 people in Philadelphia went to a food pantry for help. More than one-third of them were children.

Although food pantries and soup kitchens form vital safety nets in their communities, they struggle to feed the growing number of people coming to them for help. In 2009:

• 57% of food pantries had to cut back on the amount of food they gave out
• 48% were forced to turn people away

Q: How can I help these programs?
A: There are several ways to help:

DONATE: The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger provide these programs with funding, food, training, technology and other tools. Your financial contribution will support our efforts to build the capacity of these programs.
VOLUNTEER: If you are interested in volunteering at a food pantry or soup kitchens, please content the Coalition Against Hunger, and we will try to match you with a program.
LEARN: Find out more about the women and men who run food pantries and soup kitchens in our region.