Food Drives: How to find help and how to give it
Lindenwood Christian Church member Olivia Miller distributes bags of corn flakes to the people lined up Saturday morning for the food giveaway. (Greg Campbell/Special to The Daily Memphian)
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With Thanksgiving right around the corner and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program still in limbo due to the federal shutdown, people in the Mid-South have wondered both where they can get free meals and where they can help others in the community.
Here, we try to provide information regarding where Memphians can find or donate food. Please note that anyone wanting to donate or get food should try to contact these locations first to make sure of their hours, locations, etc.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools
In partnership with the Mid-South Food Bank, Memphis-Shelby County Schools is helping families prepare for the holiday season by hosting Mobile Food Pantry Drive-Thru Distributions this month. Food boxes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Participating families are asked to remain in their vehicles throughout the distribution. Families should bring a driver’s license or a bill verifying their name and Shelby County address. An eligibility form will be completed on-site.
- Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – until gone. Raleigh-Egypt High School 3970 Voltaire Ave.
- Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – until gone. Douglass High School 3200 Mt. Olive Road.
MidSouth Orthopaedic Rehab Food Drive
In collaboration with Memphis Moms and MOJOPelvic Health, MidSouth Orthopaedic Rehab is hosting a community food drive to benefit the First Congo Food Justice Program, running through Wednesday, Nov. 26. The clinic is accepting nonperishable food items, and drop-off donations are:
- 256 Germantown Bend Cove, Suite 102
- 364 New Byhalia Road, Suite 1
Overton Park Shell Pantry Days
The Overton Park Shell and Nonprofit Christian Centers Inc. are partnering on a series of food drives starting Thursday, Nov. 13. They’re asking for nonperishable food donations to help people affected by the loss of SNAP benefits, as well as any furloughed workers or seniors in need. Goods can be dropped off between noon and 6 p.m. at the Shell. Other Shell Pantry Days will be held Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 and 11.
Pancake Breakfast
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church at 573 North Highland St. is offering a free pancake breakfast Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. All are welcome, although it is first-come, first-served.
Thanksgiving Meal
As it does every year, Lindenwood Church and Westy’s in the Pinch District are teaming up to provide a free Thanksgiving meal for those in need — complete with turkey, stuffing, vegetables, bread, drinks and more. The meal will be available at the pub through early afternoon on Nov. 27, with enough food to feed as many as 2,000 people.
Turkey Giveaway
The Professional Homegirl Second Annual Turkey Drive will be held at Cossitt Library, 33 South Front St., at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. The giveaway is limited to one turkey per car, until supplies last.
YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
The YMCA provides free daily meals to children (18 and under), Mondays-Fridays, at more than 50 different community centers, libraries, and neighborhood Christian centers. Visit their website to find the closest locations to you.
Other Pantries Around The City
This link provides information about other free food pantries around Memphis.
901 Community Fridges
Community fridges that are constantly accessible, and residents can both take what they need or stock the fridges to help others. The fridges are located at the addresses below:
- 1000 Cooper St.
- 360 Tillman St.
- 685 S. Highland St.
- 7400 Cordova Club Drive E.
- 472 Marianna St.
- 1122 College St.
- 999 Pearce St.
Brinkley Heights Ministries
Located at 3286 Rosamond Ave., Brinkley Heights’ food pantry is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. A photo ID card and a Social Security number are required for all family members. Families in need should arrive by 9:30 a.m., with the first 20 families being served.
Catholic Charities of West Tennessee
The organization provides food resources, with the days and times food resources can be accessed on its website. A photo ID and proof of residency are required.
- Mondays through Thursdays, 9-11 a.m., or by appointment at 1325 Jefferson Ave., 901-722-4702.
- Tuesdays through Thursdays, 1-2:30 p.m., or by appointment at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 297 S. Fourth St.
- Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m., at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1225 US-51 in Covington.
- First Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1169 Kerr Ave.
Catholic Charities also offer a daily meal bag service, which includes clothing and hygiene kits on Wednesday mornings starting at 8 a.m. until supplies last at Catholic Charities Midtown Outreach Center, 85 N. Cleveland St.
Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry
Located within Christ Missionary Baptist Church 480-494 South Parkway East, the Fishes and Loaves offers meals and a food pantry on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. A Tennessee or Shelby County ID is required.
Little Free Pantries
A national organization similar to the concept of 901 Community Fridges, Little Free Pantries are places where people can pick up or drop off nonperishable items, as there is no refrigeration. Memphis locations are as follows:
- Orange Mound Outreach Ministries, 845 Marechelneil St.
- Morning Sun Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 2682 Morning Sun Road.
- Blessing Box, 590 Jennette Place.
- Eagle Heights Community Church Box, 9408 Macon Road .
- Epiphany Community Garden Pantry, Bray Station Road.
Mid-South Food Bank
The Mid-South Food Bank’s mobile pantries will be at various locations around the city in the coming days.
A pantry will be at the Poplar Plaza Shopping Center, at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Highland Street, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, for the “Day of Giving.” Residents can pick up nonperishable food items during the event or make monetary or food donations.
To learn more or see where the mobile pantries will be each week, visit midsouthfoodbank.org.
St. Patrick Catholic Church
The church’s mobile food pantry, located at 2772 Fourth St. is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-2:30 p.m. A photo ID is required. The church also offers hot meals and sack lunches; call (901) 527-2542 for more information.
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