No one in Hartford should go hungry. Food pantries give you groceries to take home, soup kitchens and community meals serve a hot plate, and SNAP (food stamps) helps you buy your own food at the store. Most pantries are free and open to anyone, and many do not ask for ID or proof of income.
The programs below are the verified food resources in our Hartford directory. If you need food today, call 211 for the nearest pantry that is open right now.
Who can get help
Pantries and community meals are generally open to everyone, no questions asked, though some ask for your address to confirm you are in the area. SNAP has income limits based on household size; you can get a quick estimate from our Benefits Check tool and apply through Connecticut DSS.
Food pantries and meals in Hartford
Asylum Hill Congregational Church - Community Meal
Asylum Hill Congregational Church
Weekly community meal serving approximately 150 meals every Sunday afternoon to neighbors in need. Also hosts Loaves and Fishes Ministries soup kitchen program during the week.
Cathedral of Saint Joseph Food Pantry
Cathedral of Saint Joseph
Weekly food pantry providing supplemental groceries, clothing, and housewares to Hartford's Asylum Hill community at no cost. Located in the Cathedral Community Center behind the Archdiocese of Hartford building.
Catholic Charities - Institute for the Hispanic Family Food Pantry
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford
Food pantry serving Greater Hartford residents. Also provides bilingual counseling, senior services, immigration support, and emergency financial assistance.
Community Renewal Team - Food & Basic Needs
Community Renewal Team
Emergency food (up to 3 days of food once a month for income-eligible households) and help with other basic needs at CRT's two Hartford resource centers, 395 Wethersfield Avenue and 330 Market Street.
Connecticut Foodshare - Mobile Pantries
Connecticut Foodshare
Connecticut's food bank runs free mobile pantries with fresh produce and groceries at sites around Hartford. No ID is required at mobile sites.
CRT Meals on Wheels - Senior Nutrition
Community Renewal Team (CRT)
Home-delivered meals program providing two meals per day, five days a week, year-round to homebound elderly residents in Greater Hartford. Hot lunches delivered between 10am-1pm. Accommodates special diets. $3 donation suggested but no one denied a meal.
CRT SNAP Outreach
Community Renewal Team
Free assistance with SNAP (food stamps) applications. Staff help complete applications and navigate the enrollment process. Also connects to other benefits.
Hands On Hartford - MANNA Community Pantry
Hands On Hartford
Full-choice shopping model food pantry where families can grab a cart and walk through aisles, choosing items that fit their needs. Also operates a soup kitchen serving free dinner on Mondays at 5:30pm.
Hartford WIC Program - Main Office
City of Hartford Health & Human Services
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy food benefits, and referrals to healthcare and social services for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5.
Hartford WIC Program - Santa Marquez Center
City of Hartford Health & Human Services
Second WIC office in downtown Hartford providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy food benefits, and referrals. Includes Saturday hours twice monthly for working families.
House of Bread Soup Kitchen
House of Bread, Inc.
Community soup kitchen providing free hot meals to people in need from the Hartford area. Operates Monday through Friday out of a location on Chestnut Street, serving breakfast and lunch.
KNOX - Community Gardens & Urban Farming
KNOX Inc.
Hartford's premier urban greening organization managing 21 community gardens across 10 low-income neighborhoods, providing 250+ families access to green space and fresh food. Also offers urban farming training program, youth environmental education, and green job skills for young adults.
Loaves and Fishes Ministries - Soup Kitchen
Loaves and Fishes Ministries
Daily soup kitchen in the Asylum Hill neighborhood providing hot meals to Hartford residents experiencing food insecurity. Serves thousands of unduplicated individuals annually, including meals-to-go and pantry bags.
Mercy Housing - St. Elizabeth House Friendship Center
Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation
Day shelter serving breakfast (8am Tue-Sat) and lunch (12pm Tue-Sat) with grab-and-go bags. Also provides showers, healthcare access, social work, and nursing services.
Salvation Army - Food Pantry
The Salvation Army
Food pantry serving working families, laid-off workers, shelter residents, SSI/Social Security recipients, elderly, and pregnant teens. Also provides energy and rental assistance.
How to get started
Find a pantry or meal below
Check the hours, since many pantries are open only on certain days. Call ahead if you can.
Bring a bag and an ID if you have one
Most pantries do not require ID, but bringing one and a reusable bag can speed things up. Ask what they need.
See if you qualify for SNAP
SNAP puts money on a card for groceries every month. Use our Benefits Check tool for a quick estimate, then apply through DSS.
Common questions
Where can I get free food in Hartford?
Food pantries and soup kitchens across Hartford give out free groceries and meals. The programs on this page are the verified options in our directory. Check the hours and call 211 if you need food today.
Do I need to prove income to use a food pantry?
Usually not. Most pantries are open to anyone and do not check income. Some ask for your address to confirm you live in the service area. Call ahead if you are unsure.
How do I apply for SNAP (food stamps)?
You apply through Connecticut DSS. Our Benefits Check tool gives you a quick estimate of whether you qualify and roughly how much, before you apply.
Not sure where to start, or do not see what you need?