Food Pantries in Allen County, Indiana
Last Updated: August 2026
Allen County has a large network of free food pantries, grocery distributions and mobile food programs for residents who need help with food. Some pantries serve specific neighborhoods, so your home address may determine which location you should use.
Quick Answer
Two of the best places to start are:
Community Harvest Food Bank
999 E. Tillman Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
Phone: 260-447-3696
Find a Community Harvest Food Distribution
Associated Churches Neighborhood Food Network
Phone: 260-422-3528
Community Harvest Food Bank
Community Harvest is the major regional food bank serving Allen County and northeast Indiana. It offers several programs directly to people who need food.
Programs include:
- Saturday Helping Hands – weekly grocery distribution
- Farm Wagon mobile food pantry
- Emergency food assistance
- Senior food programs
- Veterans and military-family food assistance
- Children’s food programs
- Community Cupboard
Saturday Helping Hands
Community Harvest’s Saturday Helping Hands provides free food to anyone in need on Saturday mornings.
Community Harvest Food Bank
999 E. Tillman Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
Phone: 260-447-3696
The current published distribution time is Saturday from 8:00–10:00 a.m.
View Community Harvest Programs
Farm Wagon Mobile Pantry
Don’t have a food pantry conveniently located near you? Community Harvest’s Farm Wagon brings food distributions to locations throughout northeast Indiana, including Allen County.
Locations and schedules can change, so check the current distribution calendar before going.
Find a Farm Wagon Distribution
Associated Churches Neighborhood Food Network
Associated Churches coordinates a large network of church and community food pantries throughout Fort Wayne and Allen County.
The network provides qualifying households with approximately a five-day supply of food once per month at no charge.
Associated Churches of Fort Wayne & Allen County
602 E. Wayne Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 260-422-3528
Find Your Assigned Food Pantry
Your Address May Determine Your Pantry
This is important: don’t simply choose the closest Associated Churches pantry.
The Neighborhood Food Network divides the area into service zones. Enter your address into its pantry finder to determine which location serves your household.
If you’re unsure, call 260-422-3528 and ask which food pantry serves your address.
Local Food Pantry Locations
There are numerous neighborhood pantries throughout the county. Examples include:
St. Matthew Lutheran Church Food Pantry
2305 Goshen Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: 260-483-9312
St. Patrick Food Bank
2120 S. Harrison Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 260-456-4868
Faith & Light Food Pantry
1700 E. Pettit Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
Phone: 260-745-2565
Emmanuel Lutheran Church Food Pantry
917 W. Jefferson Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 260-423-1369
St. Mark’s Monroeville Food Bank
201 E. South Street
Monroeville, IN 46773
Phone: 260-623-3797
Because schedules and service areas vary, confirm your assigned pantry and current hours before going.
Miss Virginia’s Food Pantry
Miss Virginia’s Food Pantry provides free grocery assistance in Fort Wayne.
1312 S. Hanna Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Phone: 260-426-0176
Current listed distribution hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army also provides food and other emergency assistance in Allen County.
2901 N. Clinton Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Phone: 260-744-2311
Food distribution schedules and availability can change, so call before visiting.
Food Help for Seniors
Community Harvest operates food programs specifically for qualifying adults age 60 and older, including SeniorPak and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
View Community Harvest Food Programs
You can also find local meal programs here:
Food Help for Children
Community Harvest’s Kids BackPack program provides weekend food assistance for school-aged children.
Allen County participating locations include sites throughout the Fort Wayne area.
Parents can also ask their child’s school counselor or social worker about school-based food assistance.
Emergency Food
If you suddenly have no food at home, Community Harvest offers Crisis Assistance, including emergency food assistance for people experiencing an immediate need.
Community Harvest: 260-447-3696
You can also dial 211 and say:
“I need emergency food assistance in Allen County.”
They can help locate a pantry or food distribution that’s currently available.
What to Bring
Requirements vary by pantry.
You may be asked to bring:
- Photo ID
- Proof of your current address
- Recent mail
- Utility bill or lease
- Information about household members
Some pantries have service-area restrictions or limits on how often households can receive food.
Always check requirements before going.
SNAP Food Assistance
If you need ongoing help buying groceries, you may also qualify for SNAP benefits.
SNAP provides monthly benefits that can be used to purchase eligible groceries.
Food pantry assistance and SNAP aren’t necessarily either/or—you may be able to use both.
WIC
Pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children under age 5 may qualify for WIC nutrition benefits.
WIC can provide nutritious foods along with nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to other services.
Before You Go
Food pantry hours can change, particularly at smaller church-operated locations.
Before leaving home:
- Confirm the pantry serves your address.
- Check current hours.
- Ask what identification is required.
- Ask whether an appointment is needed.
- Bring bags or boxes if requested.
- Ask how often your household can receive food.
This can save you from making a trip to a pantry that isn’t serving your neighborhood that day.
Local Tip
Start with Associated Churches if you’re looking for a regular neighborhood pantry. Their system can match your address with the food pantry assigned to your area.
If you need food right away, Community Harvest is another excellent place to start because it offers several direct-distribution programs, including weekly Saturday distribution and emergency food assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get free food in Allen County?
Community Harvest Food Bank and the Associated Churches Neighborhood Food Network are two of the largest local resources. Numerous churches and community organizations also operate food pantries.
Can I go to any food pantry?
Not always. Some Allen County pantries have geographic service areas, particularly those participating in the Associated Churches network. Use their pantry finder to determine which location serves your address.
Is there a food pantry open on Saturday?
Community Harvest’s current Saturday Helping Hands program distributes food Saturday mornings from 8:00–10:00 a.m.
What if I need food today?
Call Community Harvest at 260-447-3696 or dial 211 and ask for emergency food assistance that’s currently available.
Can I use a food pantry if I receive SNAP?
Receiving SNAP doesn’t automatically mean you can’t receive pantry assistance. Eligibility requirements vary by program.
Related Pages
Official Resources
Summary
Allen County has a large network of free food pantries and grocery distributions. Start with Community Harvest Food Bank at 260-447-3696 for direct food-distribution programs or Associated Churches at 260-422-3528 to find the neighborhood pantry serving your address. If you need emergency food and aren’t sure where to go, dial 211 for current local assistance.