Food Banks and Pantries in Memphis, TN

How to Get Free Food in Memphis

Memphis is served by Mid-South Food Bank, the Feeding America member covering 31 counties across west Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and eastern Arkansas. MIFA and Memphis Union Mission are the best-known direct service providers in the city. The metro has a dense network of church-based pantries supplemented by mobile distributions in food desert neighborhoods.

Regional Food Bank: Mid-South Food Bank

The primary Feeding America member food bank serving the Memphis, TN area. It distributes food to an estimated 300 partner pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs across 31 counties across west Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and eastern Arkansas, including Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, and Lauderdale counties in Tennessee.

Notable Pantries and Meal Sites in Memphis

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

Memphis is anchored by Memphis Union Mission, which serves three hot meals daily to anyone in need, and the Salvation Army Jackson Avenue campus, which offers community meals. MIFA also operates senior meal sites and a Meals on Wheels program. Mid-South Food Bank supplies many smaller church-based soup kitchens across the city, most serving lunch on weekdays.

Mobile Pantry Program

Mid-South Food Bank operates a Mobile Pantry program that brings truckloads of food to underserved neighborhoods in Shelby County and rural west Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and eastern Arkansas. Schedules rotate weekly and are posted on midsouthfoodbank.org. Distributions typically last two hours and are first-come first-served.

SNAP / Food Stamp Outreach

Mid-South Food Bank provides SNAP outreach and application assistance through partner sites and at community events. Staff help Tennessee residents apply through the Department of Human Services and provide document checklists. The Tennessee SNAP hotline is 866-311-4287.

How to Find a Pantry Near You in Memphis

Call 211 to reach the Tennessee helpline, which can refer you to the nearest Mid-South Food Bank partner. Visit midsouthfoodbank.org for the agency locator, or use feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank. MIFA at 910 Vance Ave is a reliable central location for walk-in pantry help.

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