Find Free Food Near You: Essential Meal & Pantry Resources

12.02.2025

Find Free Food Near You: Essential Meal & Pantry Resources

At Empower Generations High School, we are committed to helping our families thrive. If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, please find below several free meal programs and food resources available.

Food Pantries in AV

If you or someone you know could use a little extra help with groceries, here are some local pantries offering free food and support across the Antelope Valley:

Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH)
44226 10th St W, Lancaster, CA
2nd & 4th Fridays, 8–11 AM
Drive-through food distribution with fresh produce and pantry staples.

Grace Resources
45134 Sierra Hwy, Lancaster, CA
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10 AM (walk-up) | 1 PM (drive-through)
Hot meals and grocery distributions throughout the week.

SAVES (South Antelope Valley Emergency Services)
1002 E Avenue Q-12, Palmdale, CA
Mondays through Thursdays (by appointment)
Emergency food boxes and ongoing assistance for local families.

Additional Food Resources

Antelope Valley Food Resources: Click here for a list of food resources in the Antelope Valley.
Antelope Valley Partners for Health: Click here for food distribution locations.
AV Dream Center Food Pantry Locations: Choose a site closest to your place of residence. Visit https://www.avdreamcenter.org/food-pantry-locations/
211 LA County (24 hrs.): Dial 2-1-1 for food, counseling, and housing help. Visit: https://211la.org/resources/subcategory/food
LA Regional Food Bank: Find free groceries by entering your ZIP code or address: https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/
California Association of Food Banks Directory: Access a statewide directory of local food banks: https://www.cafoodbanks.org/find-food/
CalFresh Resources (CDSS): Learn more about benefit timelines, application status, and FAQs at cdss.ca.gov

Mobile and Home Delivery Options

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank – Mobile Food Pantry: A refrigerated truck brings produce, dairy, bread, and other nutritious items directly into underserved neighborhoods across LA County
- How to access: Contact the Food Bank to ask about upcoming mobile pantry stops near you.
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles – FeedLA
Delivers free groceries and hot meals right to families’ doorsteps.
St. Francis Center – Pantry Delivery Program
Offers weekly home grocery deliveries to qualifying low-income families

WIC

The PHFE WIC (the biggest WIC in LA County) is open during the government shutdown.

Applying for WIC is simple and can be done 100% by phone. Apply at www.startwic.org or text “APPLY” to 91997.
To find a WIC location near you, as well as days and hours of operation, visit: www.phfewic.org/en/home/

LA County Parks

LA County Parks offers free nutritious meals at park sites throughout the county, available to all residents regardless of income.

Teen Supper Program
- Who: Ages 12–18
- When: Monday–Friday at 7:00 PM
- Note: Available at 16 parks; registration is required.
Youth Snack Program
- Who: Ages 17 & under
- When: Monday–Friday at 3:00-4:00 PM
- Note: Available at 48 parks.
Senior Nutrition Program
- Who: Ages 60+
- When: Monday–Friday at 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Note: Available at 9 parks; pre-registration is required.

To find locations and more information on these meal programs, please visit parks.lacounty.gov/lacounty-parks-food-programs/.

Community Support

L.A. County Dept. of Mental Health 24/7 Helpline: (800) 854-7771
Call or text National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8
Lifeline Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat
NAMI Family Support Groups: https://namiglac.org/events/
Didi Hirsch Crisis Support: https://crisiscare.org/