Verified Oct 15, 2026
Get food today
Free groceries and hot meals in Sacramento County — no shame, no catch. Most pantries ask only for a name; bring ID if you have it, but don't let not having one stop you.
Start here: the two tools that always know what's open
Sacramento Food Bank's Food Finder — live map of 100+ partner pantries countywide. Type your address, get today's open sites.
211 Sacramento — dial 2-1-1 (or 916-498-1000), free and confidential. A real person finds the nearest food for you. 211sacramento.org
Listings below change less often, but the Food Finder and 211 are updated daily — when in doubt, check there first.
Free groceries
River City Food Bank
A roughly three-day supply of balanced groceries — produce, protein, dairy, staples — for anyone experiencing hunger. No county-residence requirement.
- Midtown1800 28th Street, Sacramento — Tue & Thu, 10:30am–1:30pm
- Ardenat St. Matthew's, 2300 Edison Avenue, Sacramento — Wed & Fri, 10:30am–1:30pm
- Phone(916) 446-2627
- Webrivercityfoodbank.org
Days alternate between the two sites — between them, weekday coverage. Confirm the day's site by phone if you're making a long trip.
Elk Grove Food Bank Services
Free groceries for residents of Elk Grove and south Sacramento County. Also delivers to homebound neighbors in some ZIP codes — see Accessibility.
- Address9888 Kent Street, Elk Grove
- HoursMon–Fri, 9:00am–2:00pm; on the 1st Thursday and 4th Wednesday, 12:30–2:00pm only; may close at noon in extreme heat
- Phone(916) 685-8453
- Webelkgrovefoodbankservices.org
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services — the network behind the pantries
SFBFS is the warehouse hub supplying ~112 partner pantries countywide. It does not hand out food at its Bell Avenue headquarters — use its Food Finder to find the partner site nearest you. It also runs the Food for Seniors monthly box program and free CalFresh application help.
- Phone(916) 456-1980 (office, Mon–Fri)
- Websacramentofoodbank.org
Hot meals
Loaves & Fishes
A daily hot lunch in the Dining Room, plus day shelter, showers, restrooms, and women's & children's services. The Dining Room serves up to 800 adults a day, no questions asked.
- Address1351 North C Street, Sacramento
- HoursDining Room: Mon–Fri 11:30am–1:00pm, Sat & Sun 11:00am–12:30pm
- Phone(916) 446-0874
- Websacloaves.org
Wellspring Women's Center
A nutritious breakfast and light lunch for any woman or child in need, in a safe, welcoming space — plus support services beyond the meal.
- Address3414 4th Avenue, Sacramento (Oak Park)
- HoursMon–Fri, 8:30–11:30am, meals for any woman and her children
- Phone(916) 454-9688
- Webwellspringwomen.org
Want groceries you pick yourself, with money that doubles?
If you have (or could get) CalFresh, Sacramento's farmers markets take EBT and Market Match doubles it for fresh produce — see Markets & benefits.