Tips for First Time Food Pantry Visitors

I received a call yesterday from someone who is looking for food assistance for the first time.  It can be scary, and overwhelming, and downright humiliating.

(If you find yourself in need for the first time, you may also find this post helpful.)

Tips for your first visit

* Call ahead.  Try to find out as much as possible about the pantry you will be visiting before you go.  Check out their website, call and listen to their outgoing message, and/or try to speak to someone directly (though the last one is tricky since most pantries are volunteer run).
What paperwork do they require?  Should you line up early or is it better to come later?
Are there restrictions?  (This last one is a big one. I have heard of folks standing in line for an hour for a local pantry who were turned away at the door because they did not live in the right county.  Ask first.)

* Take ID and a current utility bill displaying your address with you.   Some pantries require more, but this is likely the least you will need.  Make sure the address on each matches the address on your paperwork.  If you have moved and not gotten an update ID, call the DMV for an official (free) change of address card.
If you are homeless (even living in someone else's home), check with the pantry on their policies.
If you have time and ability to do so, make a folder with birth certificates, current bills, pay stubs, etc. to expedite the process in case you are applying somewhere that needs more documentation.

* Prepare for a wait.  Just allow yourself at least an hour or two buffer until you know how the system works.  Even then, during busy seasons (usually summer and holidays) the wait can be longer than you expect.
If you have to squeeze it in on your lunch hour or before a doctor's appointment, try to call ahead and ask the pantry for advice.


* Try to find a sitter.   It is better to get the lay of the land on your first visit without your kids with you if at all possible.  Alternatively, take someone with you whose sole purpose is to help watch your kid.
Pantries are often full of shelves of stuff, and not safe places for kids to wander. Have someone directly supervise your child(ren) every minute if they must go with you for their own safety and the safety of others in the area.  This is also a courtesy to other pantry guests and volunteers.
Take things for your kids to do while they wait.  Things that are quiet and self contained are best:  books, paper and crayons, etc.

* Take your own bags.  You may not need to use them, but for pantries like ours it's always a blessing to save a few bags.

* Look for friendly faces and ask questions.  Whether it's another person in line or a volunteer, it's fine to let people know it's your first time and ask how things work.


* Prepare to become a creative cook.  Prepare your family to try new foods.  You will likely not receive items your family is used to eating.   Which leads directly to......

* Look for alternative sources of protein and ways to stretch protein.  Most pantries are not equipped to give you much fresh meat.  Beans and nuts are a great source of protein.   Many pantries will have canned meats, especially tuna, so be ready to look for recipes like casseroles and soups that can stretch a small can of meat for your family.



General Information about pantries

* Food selection process will vary based on the pantry.  A "client choice" pantry allows you to pick from a range of items.  Other pantries prepack food and you receive it sight unseen.

* Some of the people in line are "regulars" and may have been to multiple pantries.  They may have good advice for you.  They may also give you erroneous information about the process based on their own biases and sense of authority.  Always double check information with a volunteer / staff member.

* Volunteers are people too.  They may be having a bad day.  They may have been treated poorly by someone else in line, or really be burned out on the process.  It is unfortunate but true that some pantries and the volunteers who run them may make you feel unwelcome, unloved, or ashamed.  Please don't take that personally.  Pray for them, offer them a kind word, and know that they are trying to do a good thing, even if it comes out wrong sometime.
(On the flip side, if you open yourself up to it, you might make great friends with volunteers and other guests.)



Do you have other questions as you are getting ready for your first pantry visit?  Post them here.