Aid resources · Food and grocery help

Food help: food shelves, pantries, and free meals

Find free groceries, food shelves, food pantries, and free community meals across Dakota County and the South Metro. Compare walk-in, pickup, and appointment options to find the best fit.

Start here first

Use this page to compare food shelves, pantry programs, and meal support.
Check location, hours, and eligibility before going.
Start with the closest, lowest-barrier option.

Also need help with rent, utilities, or health care? See housing and rent help or health and clinic help.

Before you go: We update these listings as changes are confirmed, but programs, hours, eligibility, forms, and funding can change quickly. Call or check the linked site before going in person, applying, sharing personal information, or referring someone.

Filter by city

Walk-in options

Drop in during open hours. No appointment or registration required.

Walk-in · No appointment

Neighbors, Inc.: Neighbor’s Nook

Express food distribution with no appointment needed. You can proxy shop for other families. Name is no longer required.

Where: 222 Grand Ave W, South St. Paul

When: Tue & Thu 1:00–3:00 p.m. · Wed 4:00–6:00 p.m. · 3rd Sat 10:00–11:30 a.m.

What’s covered: Milk, eggs, meat, prepackaged meals, produce. Food only, no essentials.

Bring: Household size (children, adults, seniors) and whether income is above 300% federal poverty level.

Visit site · 651-455-5000

Walk-in · Weekly

Neighborhood House: Montreal Food Market

Weekly walk-in food market, no appointment needed.

Where: 1080 Montreal Ave, St. Paul, MN 55116

When: Mon–Wed 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Visit site · 651-789-3600

Food shelves and pantries

Local options. Check access type and hours before going.

Appointment required

Neighbors, Inc.: Food Shelf

In-person shopping, curbside pickup, or delivery. Appointments are typically booked about 6 weeks out; use Neighbor’s Nook in the meantime.

Where: 222 Grand Ave W, South St. Paul, MN 55075

Service area: Serves South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, and Lilydale.

When: By appointment. Phones staffed Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

What’s covered: Food and essential items.

Visit site · 651-455-5000

Appointment required

The Open Door Pantry: Eagan

Food pantry with scheduled appointments. Also offers a food pickup program where you can get bags to deliver to neighbors.

Where: 3000 Ames Crossing Rd, Suite 100, Eagan, MN 55121

When: Pantry hours vary by day, including some evenings. See site.

Visit site · 651-686-0787 · Email

Delivery · Accepting orders

La Guadalupana: The Hispanic Community Fund

Food box delivery to households that cannot safely or affordably leave. Includes essential food items and basic household staples.

Where: 178 Cesar Chavez St, St. Paul, MN 55107

When: Store hours 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Request a food box · 651-292-8143

External intake form. Share only what the form requires. Call first if you are unsure.

Appointment required

Neighborhood House: Wellstone Center Food Market

Appointment-based food market. Call to schedule.

Where: 179 Robie St E, St. Paul, MN 55107

When: By appointment.

Visit site · 651-789-3630

Intake form · Local families

Parent Care Collective

Community-rooted mutual aid for local families, offering food and supplies, care packages, and practical family support.

Who it helps: Families in South St. Paul, West St. Paul, and Inver Grove Heights.

What’s covered: Food and supplies, care packages, and practical family support.

How to access: Start with the CareServe intake form (English or Spanish).

Service area: Serves ZIPs 55075, 55076, 55077, and 55118.

Language access: English and Spanish intake forms available.

Good to know: Community-rooted support. Participation is voluntary. Availability and response times may depend on current capacity.

Visit site · English intake form · Spanish intake form

This opens an outside form. Share only what the form requires.

Meal support

Free community meals and grocery giveaways. Most are drop-in.

To-go · Thursdays

Augustana Lutheran Church: Community Meals

Free hot meal pickup (to-go).

Where: 1400 Robert St S, West St. Paul, MN

When: Thursdays · starts around 4:15–4:30 p.m., ends 6:00 p.m. · call to confirm start time

Visit site

SSP residents · Mondays

Central Square Community Center: Free Take ’n Bake Meals

Free take ’n bake meals (single-serve or family style), delivered Mondays or available for pickup.

Where: 100 7th Ave N, South St. Paul, MN

When: Delivered Mondays. Pickup Mon after 3:00 p.m. through Sat 2:00 p.m. while supplies last.

Visit site

Monthly · Register online

Grace Church of the Nazarene: Grocery GiveAway

Free grocery giveaway on the first Saturday of each month. Register online in advance.

Where: 7950 Blaine Ave E, Inver Grove Heights, MN

When: 1st Saturday monthly, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Visit site

Statewide programs

State and federal programs available across Minnesota

Statewide · Income-based

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Distributes USDA foods through food shelves, on-site meal programs, and shelters. Available to anyone in Minnesota who self-reports household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Where: Minnesota, statewide. Distributed through local food shelves.

When: All year round

Learn more about TEFAP