Food Banks Nearby: 17 National & Local Food Banks Listed by Region

Knowing where to find local food banks is valuable information. According to U.S. News & World Report, over 47 million Americans were living below the poverty line as of 2015. That’s 14.8% of the American population. If you’re lucky enough to enjoy a comfortable standard of living, you may be looking for ways to support your community and help those in need. To help you find the best ways to give back, we’ve highlighted many of the largest national and regional food banks in the United States below.

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National Food Banks

Feeding America

• Accepted donations: Canned foods such as soup, fruits, or vegetables; fresh produce and frozen produce; milk and other dairy products; personal care items
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes; contribute a monetary donation.
• Find the nearest Feeding America partner agency.
• Learn more about Feeding America’s charitable mission.

Note: Feeding America is one of the biggest nationwide directories of food banks. Visit the Feeding America website to see its hundreds of partner food banks and find the one nearest you.

Ample Harvest

• Accepted donations: Fresh produce
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes; monetary donations are encouraged.
• Find the nearest Ample Harvest food pantry.
• Learn more about Ample Harvest’s charitable mission.

Local Food Banks By Region | Eastern United States

Capital Area Food Bank (DC area and Lorton, VA)

• Accepted donations: Canned or dry beans; peanut butter; canned vegetables; canned tuna, salmon, or chicken; healthy snacks; hot and cold cereal; canned fruits; 100% juice; and other unopened, non-perishable food items.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Find the nearest Capital Area Food Bank.
• Learn more about Capital Area Food Bank’s charitable mission.

City Harvest (NYC)

• Accepted donations: Canned and packaged food; frozen foods; shelled eggs; whole fresh produce; frozen meat, poultry, and seafood. See the full list here.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Find the nearest City Harvest drop-off location (scroll down to Drop-off Locations).
• Find out more about City Harvest’s charitable mission.

The Greater Boston Food Bank

• Accepted donations: The Greater Boston Food Bank acquires food through food industry product donations. However, GBFB accepts financial donations to help buy food, and its 550 member agencies may accept food donations from individuals.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Contact the Greater Boston Food Bank.
• Learn more about the Greater Boston Food Bank’s charitable mission.

Local Food Banks By Region | Midwest

Food Bank of Iowa

• Accepted donations: Most needed items include canned soup; canned vegetables; breakfast items (including cereal); 100% fruit juice; peanut butter; canned meat or tuna; dry pasta; and personal items. All packaged items must be unopened and in the original packaging. All fresh produce must be unspoiled and undamaged. Learn more on the website.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Find out about the Food Bank of Iowa’s drop-off location. You can also consider donating to one of the Food Bank of Iowa’s partner agencies.
• Find out more about the Food Bank of Iowa’s charitable mission.

Food Bank of Eastern Michigan

• Accepted donations: The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan obtains food from grocery store surpluses. However, the partner agencies that the Food Bank serves may accept food donations from individuals.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Find the nearest Food Bank of Eastern Michigan partner agency.
• Learn more about the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan’s charitable mission.

Northern Illinois Food Bank

The Northern Illinois Food Bank provides nutritious meals to those in need in Boone, DuPage, DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, & Winnebago counties

• Accepted donations: Individuals can help by running food drives, and agricultural business can donate produce. Learn about giving food.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes; you can donate online.
• Find a Northern Illinois Food Bank center.
• Learn more about Northern Illinois Food Bank’s charitable mission.

Second Helpings (Greater Indianapolis)

• Accepted donations: High priority items include spaghetti; soy sauce; elbow macaroni; garlic powder; coriander; salt; pepper; and other non-perishable food items with a long shelf-life.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Find the nearest Second Helpings partner agency.
• Find out more about Second Helpings’ charitable mission.

Local Food Banks By Region | South

Second Harvest Food Bank (Louisiana)

• Accepted donations: Second Harvest accepts all non-perishable food items (ones that do not need to be refrigerated or frozen) in non-glass containers. Most needed items include oatmeal; cereal; grits; healthy snacks; evaporated and dry milk; pasta; rice; fruit cups; dried fruits; diced tomatoes and tomato sauce; dried beans, lentils, or peas; and canned meat (tuna and chicken).
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes; Second Harvest provides numerous ways for donors to make monetary donations.
• Find the nearest Second Harvest Louisiana location.
• Learn more about Second Harvest’s charitable mission.

Community Food Bank of Central Alabama

• Accepted donations: Any non-perishable food items within their expiration date are accepted. Most needed items included canned tuna or chicken; pasta and pasta sauce; dried or canned beans; peanut butter and jelly; and cereal, oatmeal, and grits.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Find the nearest Community Food Bank of Central Alabama drop-off location.
• Learn more about Community Food Bank of Central Alabama’s charitable mission.

Mississippi Food Network

• Accepted donations: Non-perishable items such as canned meat; canned fruit; canned vegetables; canned soups; and peanut butter. Find more details at the organization’s website.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Find the nearest Mississippi Food Network drop-off location.
• Learn more about the Mississippi Food Network’s charitable mission.

Local Food Banks | Western United States

Central Texas Food Bank

• Accepted donations: Most needed items include peanut butter; canned chicken or tuna; canned low sodium vegetables; dry pinto beans; brown rice; non-fat dry milk powder; and 100% whole grain cereal. Items must be unopened in original packaging, non-perishable, and in non-glass containers. See the full list of requirements on the FAQs page.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Find out about the Central Texas Food Bank drop-off location.
• Learn more about Central Texas Food Bank’s charitable mission.

SF Marin Food Bank (San Francisco)

• Accepted donations: Most needed options include canned meat and tuna; canned fruit and vegetables; peanut butter; chili; soups; beans; cereal; and whole grain pasta and rice. No perishable items will be accepted. See the full list on the website.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes; Oregon Food Bank strongly encourages monetary donations in any amount (minimum $2).
• Find the nearest SF-Marin Food Bank drop-off location.
• Find out more about SF-Marin’s charitable mission.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

• Accepted donations: Most needed items include canned proteins such as tuna, sardines, stews, and soups; peanut butter and jelly; canned fruits and vegetables; fruit juices; and staples such as rice, beans, and pasta. See the full list on the website.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes; the L.A. Regional Food Bank encourages monetary donations over physical items.
• Find the nearest Los Angeles Regional Food Bank partner agency.
• Learn more about the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s charitable mission.

Waste Not Arizona

• Accepted donations: Waste Not Arizona accepts surplus food from caterers, restaurants, hotels, and other organizations, but not from individuals. However, Waste Not can match an individual donor with a recipient agency in the local area that needs the donation.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Contact Waste Not Arizona.
• Learn more about Waste Not Arizona’s charitable mission.

Oregon Food Bank

• Accepted donations: The most wanted items include shelf-stable milk; canned or dried beans; canned tuna, chicken, or salmon; brown rice; whole-wheat pasta; soups, chilies, and stews; and 100% fruit juices. Glass items must be boxed or bagged separately and clearly marked “GLASS.” Learn more about accepted donations.
• Are cash donations accepted? Yes
• Find the nearest Oregon Food Bank drop-off location. Donations can also be made to one of Oregon Food Bank’s partner agencies.
• Find out more about the Oregon Food Bank’s charitable mission.

Is It Okay to Donate Expired Food?

One question that frequently arises regarding food donations is whether food items can be donated past their expiration date. Generally speaking, the answer to this is no. While some organizations will accept donations from companies, grocery stores, restaurants, or other food industry partners that are past the required sell-by date but still safe for consumption, items collected from individuals generally need to be within the expiration date. As a rule of thumb — if you wouldn’t eat it (or let your children eat it), don’t donate it. If you have any specific questions, you can contact a representative from your preferred food bank to clarify their specific policies.

You may also want to see our article: Where to Donate Baby Items: 20 Ways to Donate Baby Clothes, Food, Formula…

In Summary

You now know where to donate food. Food bank locations are prevalent. In fact, there are hundreds of food banks and food pantries across the United States that will gladly accept your donations. You can use any of the national or regional resources listed above to help you find somewhere to donate. If you don’t see your local region on our list, try running a quick Google search for “where to donate food in [your town].” You can almost certainly find a local food pantry doing good work in your community. Don’t forget that besides food items and money, you can also donate your time to help organize a food drive or volunteer at a food pantry. However you choose to do it, we hope this article helps you find a way to give back to your community.