Food Right Now

What it is

Free food from pantries, meals programs, and food benefits like SNAP.

Why it helps you

No one can think or heal while hungry. This help exists for exactly this moment.

This opens up

Cooking and Eating Well.

Where to get help

There are two kinds of food help. Food today comes from food pantries and free meals. A food pantry is a place that gives out free groceries. Food every month comes from benefits like SNAP, which puts money for groceries on a card. Most people start with food today and apply for SNAP at the same time.

Find free food today

USDA National Hunger Hotline A hotline that finds food pantries, free meals, and food benefit offices near you. It is run by the nonprofit Hunger Free America for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Cost: Free
• Who can use it: Anyone
• How to start: Call 1-866-348-6479 (1-866-3-HUNGRY). For Spanish, call 1-877-842-6273 (1-877-8-HAMBRE).
• Good to know: Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. You can also text the word food to 914-342-7744 for a list of places near you. The text line is automatic. No person reads your texts.

211 (United Way) A free phone line that connects you to food, shelter, and other help where you are.

• Cost: Free
• Who can use it: Anyone in the United States
• How to start: Dial 2-1-1. Say, “I need food today. What’s open near me?”
• Good to know: 211 says it is open 24/7. It’s a good choice at night and on weekends.

Feeding America: Find your local food bank A map of food banks across the country. A food bank is a big warehouse that sends food to local pantries and meal programs.

• Cost: Free. Food from pantries is free.
• Who can use it: Anyone who needs help affording food
• How to start: Type your ZIP code. Call the food bank that comes up. Ask, “Where is a food pantry open near me today?”
• Good to know: A pantry may ask a few questions or have you fill out a form about your household. Ask what they need before you go. Many pantries don’t need ID, but some do.

Findhelp A website that lists free and low-cost help near you, including food.

• Cost: Free
• Who can use it: Anyone
• How to start: Type your ZIP code and choose “Food.” You don’t need an account to search.
• Good to know: Call before you go. Hours change often.

Get food every month

SNAP (food stamps) SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It puts money for groceries on a card each month. The card is called an EBT card, and you use it like a debit card at most grocery stores.

• Cost: Free to apply
• Who can use it: People with low income. US citizens and some people who are not citizens. Each state runs its own SNAP office.
• How to start: Open the link and click your state. It shows how to apply online, by phone, or in person.
• Good to know: You will have an interview, usually by phone. If you have almost no money, ask for expedited (fast) SNAP. If your income this month is under $150 and you have $100 or less, you may get SNAP within 7 days. Ask the SNAP office what to use for an address if you don’t have a home.

SNAP time limits changed in 2025

A 2025 law changed the work rules. Adults ages 18 to 64 who don’t have a child under 14 at home may get SNAP for only 3 months in 3 years. To keep it longer, you may need to work, volunteer, or be in a training program at least 80 hours a month.

Being homeless, a veteran, or a former foster youth no longer excuses you from this rule by itself. Some people are still excused, for example if a health problem keeps you from working, or if you are pregnant. Some areas have exceptions. Ask your SNAP office what applies to you. Apply anyway. Three months of food help still matters.

WIC WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children. It gives healthy food, help with breastfeeding, and nutrition advice.

• Cost: Free
• Who can use it: People who are pregnant, were recently pregnant, or are breastfeeding, and children under 5. Dads, foster parents, and others raising a child under 5 can apply for the child. You must meet income rules.
• How to start: Open the link to find how to apply in your state. Or ask the National Hunger Hotline for the nearest WIC office.
• Good to know: WIC uses an eWIC card at approved stores.

If you only do one thing first

Dial 2-1-1, or call the National Hunger Hotline on a weekday, and ask where you can get food today. Then, when you can, apply for SNAP in your state and ask for fast service.

Watch out for

• Fees to apply. Applying for SNAP or WIC is always free. Don’t pay any website or person to “help” you get approved.
• Texts that say your EBT card is locked. Your SNAP office will not text you a link asking for your card number or PIN. Don’t click. Call the number on the back of your card instead.
• Card skimmers. Thieves can hide a device on store card readers to steal your card number and PIN. Cover the keypad with your hand when you type your PIN. If money goes missing, call the number on the back of your card right away, then tell your SNAP office.
• Fake help lines in search results. To check your balance or report a lost card, only use the number on the back of your card or on your state’s papers.