Bay Area Food Pantries: Where to Get Help and How to Give Back

No one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. Across the Bay Area, and particularly in the East Bay Area, a network of dedicated organizations, volunteers, and community groups works every day to make sure everyone has access to nutritious food. From children and families to seniors and unhoused neighbors, these programs provide critical support to those facing food insecurity.

While the East Bay Area is a central hub for these efforts, hunger impacts communities across the wider Bay Area — from the North Bay to the South Bay and the Peninsula. Whether you need assistance or want to lend a hand, understanding the resources available and how to get involved is key to addressing this vital need.

Why Food Access Matters in the East Bay Area

The East Bay Area is home to diverse communities, thriving local businesses, and vibrant neighborhoods. Yet despite this prosperity, many residents struggle to put nutritious meals on the table. High housing costs, medical expenses, and childcare can make food security a daily challenge. Seniors on fixed incomes, students balancing school and work, and unhoused individuals are particularly vulnerable.

Food pantries and meal programs in the East Bay Area do more than provide meals. They:

• Ensure children, seniors, and families have reliable access to nutrition

• Offer stability and connection for neighbors in crisis

• Provide access to additional resources, such as hygiene products, school supplies, and housing support

• Create volunteer opportunities, fostering stronger community ties

East Bay Area Food Pantries and Programs

Below is a look at some of the East Bay Area’s most impactful food support programs. These organizations provide meals, pantry staples, and essential items — all while nurturing hope, dignity, and community.

The Well | Visit Website

Address: 2333 Nissen Dr, Livermore
Hours: Fridays, 10:00–11:45 AM & 1:00–2:30 PM
Phone: (925) 479-1414

About: The Well provides food, toiletries, and school supplies to families, seniors, and unhoused individuals. Their Friday distributions include meats, dry goods, and hygiene items, ensuring that community members have the essentials they need to live with dignity. By serving children, adults, and seniors across the East Bay Area, The Well supports both immediate needs and long-term stability.

The Market at Las Positas College | Visit Website

Address: 3000 Campus Hill Dr, 1600 Building Courtyard
Hours: 4th Tuesday of the month, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Phone: (925) 424-1000

About: The Market provides free groceries to anyone in need, removing barriers to access. By situating the pantry at a college, it reaches students, young adults, and working families in the East Bay Area who might otherwise struggle to access food resources.

Tri-Valley Haven Food Pantry | Visit Website

Address: 150 N. L St., Livermore
Hours: Mon–Thu: 1:00–5:00 PM | Fri–Sat: 12:00–4:00 PM
Phone: (925) 449-1664

About: Tri-Valley Haven is a holistic food pantry, offering fresh produce, pantry staples, and household essentials. Staff and volunteers connect guests to additional services, including shelter, crisis support, and family programs. Each week, the pantry serves hundreds of East Bay Area residents, creating a pathway to stability.

Cornerstone Fellowship | Visit Website

Address: 348 N. Canyons Pkwy, Livermore
Hours: Fridays, 9:00–11:00 AM
Phone: (925) 447-3465

About: Cornerstone Fellowship provides hot meals, showers, clothing, and case management to unhoused and vulnerable neighbors. By addressing both hunger and basic needs, the organization restores dignity and empowers guests to regain stability in the East Bay Area.

Spectrum Community Services — Meals on Wheels | Visit Website

Phone: (510) 881-0304

About: Spectrum delivers nutritious meals directly to homebound seniors across Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Sunol. This service not only ensures seniors have regular access to food but also provides social interaction and wellness checks, helping them remain connected and healthy in the East Bay Area.

Tri-Valley Seek and Save | Visit Website

Address: 348 N. Canyons Pkwy, Livermore
Hours: Saturdays, 9:00–10:30 AM
Phone: (925) 895-1041 | Email: [email protected]

About: Tri-Valley Seek and Save hosts drive-thru food distributions, allowing families and individuals to receive groceries quickly and safely. By reducing logistical barriers, the program ensures consistent food access for East Bay Area residents.

Children’s Emergency Food Bank | Visit Website

Address: 7421 Amarillo Rd, Dublin
Phone: (925) 828-5363

About: Focused on children and families, this pantry provides non-perishable groceries by appointment. The flexibility and privacy of appointments help families during difficult times, supporting children’s nutrition and development across the East Bay Area.

St. Vincent de Paul (St. Michael Catholic Church, Livermore) | Visit Website

Address: 458 Maple St, Livermore
Phone: (925) 758-0126

About: This faith-based pantry distributes perishable and non-perishable food in evenings and on weekends. By offering guidance on additional social services, St. Vincent de Paul strengthens both the physical and emotional well-being of East Bay Area residents.

St. Matthew’s Baptist Church | Visit Website

Address: 1886 College Ave, Livermore
Hours: Saturdays, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Phone: (925) 443-3686

About: St. Matthew’s Feeding Ministry provides hot meals and pantry items weekly, fostering a sense of community while addressing hunger in the East Bay Area.

Discovery Church of the Nazarene | Visit Website

Address: 5862 Las Positas Rd, Livermore
Hours: Sundays, 9:00 AM
Phone: (925) 449-5256

About: The church hosts a community breakfast every Sunday, offering food and connection to anyone in the East Bay Area in need of a meal or fellowship.

St. Vincent de Paul | Visit Website

Address: 11555 Shannon Ave, Dublin
Hours: 3rd Saturday of the month, 8:00–11:00 AM
Phone: (925) 574-7456 or (925) 574-7413

About: This pantry provides emergency food for families, connecting residents to essential groceries and household items while offering links to broader social services in the East Bay Area.

Interfaith Sharing Food Pantry (St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, Livermore) | Visit Website

Address: 678 Enos Way, Livermore
Hours: Thursday & Saturday, 8:00–9:00 AM
Phone: (925) 447-3289 | Email: [email protected]

About: Distributing both perishable and non-perishable food, Interfaith Sharing emphasizes collaboration and dignity in service. Their consistent support strengthens East Bay Area food networks and engages volunteers in meaningful work.

Open Heart Kitchen — Feeding the East Bay Area at Scale | Visit Website

Open Heart Kitchen is one of the largest meal providers in the East Bay Area, serving seniors, children, students, and unhoused residents. Programs include hot meals at shelters and community centers, mobile food delivery, and senior home deliveries. Partnerships with schools and local pantries amplify food access across Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, and surrounding East Bay Area communities.

How to help: Volunteers, monetary donations, and food drives are always welcome.

Second Harvest — Supporting the East Bay Area from Across the Bay | Visit Website

Headquartered in the South Bay, Second Harvest Food Bank provides critical support to East Bay Area programs by distributing bulk groceries, emergency food supplies, and school pantry resources. Their contributions help local pantries like Tri-Valley Haven, The Well, and Interfaith Sharing maintain reliable access to nutritious food for the region.

How You Can Make a Difference in the East Bay Area

Whether you need help or want to give back, there are many ways to support East Bay Area neighbors:

• Donate money: Every dollar can provide multiple meals.

• Contribute food: Shelf-stable items, fresh produce, and proteins are always needed.

• Volunteer your time: Assist with food preparation, distribution, or deliveries.

• Spread the word: Share pantry resources with schools, workplaces, and neighbors.

Supporting the East Bay Area helps strengthen the entire Bay Area, creating a network of care that ensures no one goes hungry.

A Stronger, Nourished East Bay Area

The East Bay Area is more than just a geographic center — it is a hub of compassion and action. From the Tri-Valley to the surrounding communities, food pantries, meal programs, and volunteers are proof that when neighbors are supported, the whole community thrives.

Whether you’re seeking assistance or looking to give back, the East Bay Area offers multiple ways to make a meaningful impact. Together, we can make sure food insecurity is only temporary, not permanent, for residents across the East Bay Area and beyond.