Community Food Resources

Below is our current list of food pantries and other food resources in Shelby County. Our comprehensive list of food assistance programs provides brief descriptions, hours, location and contact info.

At Church Health we know that hope, health, and healing happen when we consider the whole person. That’s why we connect the dots across faith, medicine, movement, work, emotions, nutrition, and friends and family. Whether caring for our patients or reaching out to the community, we hold high the dignity and worth of each person. 

Food Stamps Department of Human Services

  • Call (901)543-7351 (for Spanish, option 2) for information and DHS offices where application forms (in several languages) can be acquired, submitted, mailed or faxed.
  • Due to COVID, you must fill out an application online or request an application be mailed to you. Applications can also be printed online at Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (tn.gov)
  • Social Security #’s are required for all members of the family applying for food stamps.

Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program*

  • The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is extending its Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program into the fall semester by sending qualifying families a card they can use to buy food for their student who has been impacted by the pandemic.
  • Families with school-aged children can determine eligibility by calling the Family Assistance Service Center at 866-311-4287 or see resources at P-EBT (tn.gov)
  • Fall semester P-EBT will provide parents with $5.86 in benefits per student for each school day that child missed because of the COVID-19 pandemic in July, August, and September.
  • These benefits can be used to purchase food at any establishment that accepts EBT or online with Amazon and Walmart

**As of 10/19/21-No new payments are being made (Last payment was a lump sum in August of$375), but if the child is registered through DHS or schools and new payments are rolled out, the child will automatically receive benefits. Any payments that were not received in October 2020-May 2021; families may call and ask for those payments to be applied retroactively.

Mobile Food Pantries

  • Distributed through volunteer sites such as churches, community centers and other community-based organizations.
  • Eligibility is determined by income. Registration is required. Eligibility, registration requirements and identification policies vary according to distribution location.
  • Check the website for details and for a week-by-week list: (901) 527-0841 or Mobile Pantry Distribution | Mid-South Food Bank (midsouthfoodbank.org)

TN Women Infants and Children Services (WIC)

  • Healthy foods for low-income pregnant women, new moms and children under five.
  • Make an appointment at a WIC clinic (due to COVID, appointments are by phone). Last 4 digits of the Social Security # are required. Information is available in Spanish.
  • For WIC clinic locations, call: (901) 222-9980 or visit the website Women Infants and Children (tn.gov)

Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc.

  • Compassionate ministries for emergency food, clothing and housing
  • ID, proof of address, and proof of income (if none then food stamp card will do) are required. Social Security #s not required.
  • Call for information on location, hours of service, and application for services: (901) 881-6013.
  • 785 Jackson Ave., Memphis, TN 38107. Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc. (ncclife.org)

MIFA Meals on Wheels & Congregate Meals

  • Low-cost meals delivered for nutritionally at-risk seniors over age 60 in Shelby County.
  • To be screened for eligibility, call the Aging Commission at 901-222-4111. Social Security #, proof of address and proof of income are required. 
  • For more information: call (901) 529- 4549 or visit MIFA, 910 Vance Ave., Memphis, TN

Other Food Pantries

Brinkley Heights Ministries

  • Food Pantry is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 10am12pm.
  • Will serve the first 20 families; arrive by 9:30 a.m.
  • Bring a photo ID card and Social Security #s for all members of the family.
  • 3286 Rosamond Ave Memphis, TN 38122. (901)458-0617. Masks required.

Catholic Charities Food Pantry

  • The lobby is closed unless you have an appointment. Monday thru Thursday beginning at 9 am – 11 am in the parking lot. ID required.
  • Food boxes distributed by drive-thru with 3-4 day supply of non-perishable and (as available) perishable food.
  • 1325 Jefferson Ave., Memphis, TN 38104. (901) 722-4702.

Catholic Charities Outreach Center

  • “Daily Meal Bags” with one day’s worth of nutritious meals available to homeless clients (no ID required).
  • Available M-F, 8 a.m. Distribution is on the front of the Outreach Center which faces N. Cleveland at Jefferson and Cleveland.
  • 1325 Jefferson Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 (901) 722-4702.

St. Patrick Catholic Church

  • Mobile Food Pantry T, W, Th 1:00-2:30 p.m. Bring photo ID.
  • 2772 4th Street, Memphis, TN (901) 527-2542

St. Paul the Apostle

  • Mobile Food Pantry. Monthly, every 3rd Thursday, 4-6 p.m. Bring photo ID
  • 1425 E. Shelby Drive, Memphis 38116. (901) 346-2380

St. Augustine Catholic Church

  • Mobile Food Pantry. Monthly, every 3rd Saturday, 9-11 a.m. Bring a photo ID.
  • 1169 Kerr Avenue, Memphis 38106. (901) 774-2297

First Congregational Church

  • Food Pantry is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 – 1:00 p.m.
  • Bring a photo ID and proof of residence. No Social Security #s required.
  • 1000 S. Cooper St., Memphis, TN 38104. (901) 278-6786

First United Methodist Church

  • Provides food for those working but still in need of assistance. 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month
  • 10:00 – noon. 204 N Second Street. Memphis, 38105. (901) 527-8362.

Right Direction Christian Ministries

  • Provides food the 4th Saturday of the month, 9:00-11:30 a.m.
  • ID and signature on a short donation form are required. **for emergency needs, you may contact the office at (901) 496-3938 and staff will try to accommodate a request.
  • 3680 Rhodes Ave, Memphis, 38111. (901) 244-5887.

St. Anne’s Catholic Church

  • Food pantry open Saturdays 9-11 a.m. in small (marked) building behind church. Bring photo ID and proof of residence.
  • 706 S. Highland, Memphis, TN 38111 (901) 323-3817.

Midtown Mosque

  • The Table Spread Food pantry. Call for hours: 901-443-5774
  • 1288 Jackson Ave. Memphis, TN 38107

St. Andrew AME Church

  • Food pantry open Wednesdays 5-7 p.m. for residents of 38106 and 38126. Must bring photo ID, social security numbers for all household members and proof of residence
  • 1369 Mississippi Blvd. Memphis, TN 38106 (901) 948-3441.

United Methodist Neighborhood Centers of Memphis, Inc. Food Pantries & Partnerships

The following food pantries require an ID and proof of address. Social Security # not required. (901) 323-4993

Asbury United Methodist Church

  • Food pantry open Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – noon. (no distribution if a holiday falls on Thursday). Serves zip codes 38115 and 38118.
  • 2969 South Mendenhall, Memphis, TN 38115. (901) 363-1135.

Grace United Methodist Church

  • Food pantry open Tuesdays, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Serving zip code 38116. **seems to still be in operation
  • 1619 East Raines Rd., Memphis, TN 38116. (901) 396-5123.

Heartsong Church

  • Food pantry 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Serves zip code 38016 and 38018.
  • 800 Houston Levee, Cordova, TN (901) 755-6332.

Longstreet United Methodist Church

  • Food pantry open Wednesdays 10-noon.
  • 5268 Airways Blvd. Memphis, 38116. (901) 346-0552

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

  • Food pantry open on Thursdays from 9:30-12:00 noon for residents of zip codes 38111, 38117 and 38114
  • 480 S Highland St., Memphis, TN 38111. (901) 452-6262.

For additional food resources, contact Memphis Public Library LINC. Dial 2-1-1 or call (901) 415-2790.

Memphis Area Soup Kitchens

Calvary Episcopal Church

  • 102 N. Second St
  • 901-525-6602
  • Sundays at 7:00- 8:00 a.m. Breakfast and Coffee to-go

First Congregational Church

  • 1000 S. Cooper
  • 901-278-6786
  • Monday – Friday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Sack lunches and beverages in the rear parking area

First Presbyterian Church

  • 166 Poplar Ave
  • 901-525-5619
  • Sundays from 1:15 to 2:00 pm Food to-go

First United Methodist Church

  • 204 N Second St.
  • 901-527-8362
  • Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00 pm Food to-go due to COVID-19

Grace-St. Lukes Episcopal Church

  • 1720 Peabody Ave
  • 901-272-7425
  • Sundays from 1:30 – 4:45 pm
  • Meals can be picked up at the parking lot on Peabody and Belvedere

Idlewild Presbyterian Church

  • 1750 Union Ave
  • 901-726-4681
  • Thursdays at 4:30-5:30 pm Meals to-go

St. John’s United Methodist Church

  • 1207 Peabody Ave
  • 901-726-4104
  • Tuesdays 4:30; Saturdays 4:30 Meals to-go

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

  • 480 S Highland Street
  • 901-452-6262
  • Saturday at 4:00 pm, Sunday Breakfast at 8:00 am Meals to-go

St. Mary’s Catholic Church

  • 155 Market St
  • 901-522-9420
  • Monday – Saturday from 7:00 am to 10:00 am

St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral

  • 700 Poplar Ave
  • 901-527-3361
  • Wednesdays at 8:00 am, coffee & pre-packaged food to go
  • Saturdays at 9:00 a.m., non-perishable “pop top” to-go meal (items such as sardines, vienna sausages, fruit cups, water bottles, single-serve chips and cookies).

St. Patrick Catholic Church

  • 277 S 4th Street
  • 901-527-2542
  • Sundays from 12:00 – 1:00 pm, To Go; Sack Lunches Mon-Thurs. noon-3:00 p.m.

St. Vincent DePaul

  • 1306 Monroe Ave
  • 901-722-4703
  • Seven days a week from 9:30 am to 11:00 am Meals to-go

All of the above meals are free. No identification is required for meals.

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