Food Help

Food Banks

Find free food support in your neighborhood.

Food banks are based in the community and open to all. They provide produce, pantry staples, and other groceries. Some food banks also provide other household goods, like diapers and pet food.

Washington 211 Food Bank Finder

There are over 500 food banks and pantries across Washington - including one near you!

To find your local food bank online:

  1. Open the link below.

  2. Enter your city or zip code and click “Search”.

  3. Don’t use the focus population, age group, or payment option filters. This will remove most food banks from your search results!

Call 211 for assistance

In addition to the online food bank finder tool, you can also dial 2-1-1 to speak to someone on the phone who can help you find food banks and other resources near you. This service is entirely free and confidential, and is available in Washington from 9am to 5pm.

NOTE: Some regions may have shorter or longer hours; you can check the hours in your area online. TTY and interpreters for over a hundred languages are available.

Visiting a food bank for the first time?

Here’s what you should know:

  • Some people visit a food bank weekly and some people only go once in their life. Food banks are a community resource available to everyone.

  • Many food banks serve people living in specific zip codes, cities, or school districts. Some of them have rules about serving people outside of those areas. Contact your food bank if you have questions about your eligibility.

  • Food banks use this information to collect data about the communities that they serve.

    • They might ask you for a photo ID and proof of address. If you request baby formula or diapers, they might ask for a copy of your child’s birth certificate.

    • You can still receive food even if you don’t have the right documents. Most food banks on 211’s resources map make food available to everyone, regardless of paperwork.

    • You might be asked questions about your race, ethnicity, and citizenship status. These questions are not required. You can skip them and sill receive food.

  • Some food banks are set up like grocery stores, allowing you to choose which items you want. At other food banks, you’ll receive a pre-selected box or bag of food.

  • Many food banks are working to reduce wait times, but you might need to wait for more than an hour before you receive food. The wait could be outside or in a waiting room.

  • Some food banks offer home delivery or curbside pick-up to make it easier and faster to get food. Your local food bank can tell you what options are available.

  • You have the right to be treated fairly regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, marital status, disability, or citizenship status.

    If you are the target of discrimination, you can ask your food bank how to file a complaint. Find more information about how to file a formal grievance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture or by calling 866-632-9992.