Food Banks and Pantries in Indianapolis, IN

How to Get Free Food in Indianapolis

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is the regional Feeding America member serving 21 counties across central and southeastern Indiana, including the Indianapolis metro, through roughly 300 partner agencies. Anyone in need can get free food at a partner site with no income requirement at most locations. Call 211 or use the food bank website find-food map to locate the nearest pantry or mobile distribution.

Regional Food Bank: Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana

The primary Feeding America member food bank serving the Indianapolis, IN area. It distributes food to an estimated 300 partner pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs across 21 counties across central and southeastern Indiana, including the Indianapolis metro.

Notable Pantries and Meal Sites in Indianapolis

This is a sample of well-known sites. For a full, current list of all pantries near you, use 211 or the food bank website above.

Soup Kitchens and Community Meals

Gleaners partners with soup kitchens and meal programs across the Indianapolis metro, including Wheeler Mission Ministries, which serves daily hot meals downtown, and several church-based community meal nights on the Near East and West Sides. Most meal sites welcome anyone in need with no questions asked and many also hand out groceries. Programs run year-round and expand during the holidays.

Mobile Pantry Program

Gleaners operates a Mobile Pantry Program that brings fresh produce, dairy, and shelf-stable goods to neighborhoods, schools, and rural towns across the 21-county service area on a rotating schedule. Stops focus on food deserts and areas far from a fixed pantry. Schedules are posted on the food bank website and updated monthly.

SNAP / Food Stamp Outreach

Gleaners offers free SNAP application assistance at its main facility, partner sites, and community events across the region. Staff help residents complete applications, gather documents, and prepare for interviews, and they offer pre-screening so applicants know their likely benefit amount. Help is available in English and Spanish.

How to Find a Pantry Near You in Indianapolis

Call 211 in Indiana, visit glickfoodbank.org and use the Find Food map, or call the food bank at 317-925-0999. The Feeding America locator at feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank also covers Indianapolis. Most pantries require no appointment, but hours change, so call ahead.

More Food & Benefits Guides

• SNAP / Food Stamps guide (general)
• WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
• EBT card guide -- how it works
• Free meals & community kitchens
• P-EBT & Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)

Frequently Asked Questions