Community Food Resources
Content added Sept. 24, 2025
Hot Meals + Ways to Get Fed. Providing FREE HOT MEALS IN THE PARK! Flyer 9-24-25
We’re a group of happy volunteers who enjoy cooking & bringing free hot meals to area parks several times a month, for anyone who’s hungry.
We come from all faiths and belief systems, and purposely don’t talk about religion so all can feel comfortable at our Neighborhood Table.
We never ask for ID, or check personal details. Not our our business, we’re your neighbors.
We source free food from area grocery stores and our #1 Nationwide award-winning Farmer’s Market that would only be landfilled, Then our cooks turn it into delicious meals for our neighbors.
We love to feed folks, and here, in our town, no one goes hungry if we can help it.
We cook food FRESH in our own homes before our Meals, and by bulk in a church kitchen once a month, so there’s nothing that’s sat on a shelf for years.
We package it all up & bring it to the Gazebo at Flat Branch Park in Columbia, to share with whoever shows up. It's always a party!
Content added June 9, 2025
To participate in Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture’s Produce Prescription Program, you will need to be a patient at Compass Health Network who lives in Boone County and has children 19 and younger in your household. Healthcare providers at Compass Health can then "prescribe" fresh fruits and vegetables to eligible patients. The program is now administered by Columbia Farmers Market, starting January 11, 2025.
Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
PO Box 1742
Columbia, MO 65205
(573) 514-4174
Email: info@columbiaurbanag.org
Content added June 7, 2025
Bountiful Baskets is a food coop to get baskets for fruits and veggies at discount prices. You pick up your basket on Cherry Street and must be on time, 8:15 am. You have to volunteer once per month and set up a free account on their website. Step by step how to get set up details at this link: www.bountifulbaskets.org
Content updated April 18, 2024
The mission of Helping Hands Southern Boone is to unite families in need with resources and donations in the spirit of God’s love.
Helping Hands Free Store
113 E. Broadway
Ashland, MO 65010
(573) 356-1174
Email: helpinghandssoboco@gmail.com
Mondays 2:00-4:00 PM
Tuesdays 2:00-4:00 PM
Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 PM
Thursdays 5:30-7:30 PM
(CLOSED second Thursday of the month)
2nd & 4th Saturdays Each Month 9 AM - 12 PM
Content updated May 29, 2025
This brochure lists some of the resources available in the categories of meals, food, crisis lines, shelters, warming centers, medical clinics, and mental health.
Our mission is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. Our global community of Lasagna Love volunteers prepare lasagnas each week and deliver them free of charge and contact-free to the doorstep of local families who have requested a meal. Families can privately sign up to receive a meal (no questions asked!).
Request a lasagna website
Social Handles: @WeAreLasagnaLove (Facebook, Instagram)
Lisa Hade, Regional Director - lisa@lasagnalove.org
Content updated May 14, 2025
The city of Columbia announced the return of its Summer Lunch Program for children and teenagers younger than 18 on Tuesday, according to a news release.
The program starts June 2 and runs through Aug. 7, excluding June 19 and July 4, which are federal holidays. Meal sites will operate Monday through Friday.
CHA Residents
Content updated Oct. 1, 2025
A visit to the Annie Fisher Food Pantry located at 616 Park Avenue can help growing families in the neighborhood meet their nutritional needs. The food pantry is open every Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is stocked regularly with food from the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri.
616 Park Avenue
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 815-1072
Content updated Sept. 30, 2025
Mobile Pantries distribute food monthly at set locations throughout The Food Bank’s service area. When you attend a Mobile Market, volunteers place your groceries right in your vehicle for you to take home.
To find pantries, locations that share meals or other food resources, check out our complete Food Map.
Content updated Jan. 22, 2024
The Hogan House food pantry is open every Sunday, 1–3 pm. People can come during this time and shop (all food is free). It’s preferred that they bring their own boxes or bags. If it is their first time, they will need to fill out some paperwork as we are under the mid Missouri Central food pantry. Each initial visit they will need to check-in but not fill out any more forms. People are able to come every Sunday!
Food pantry is located at 313 Hogan Drive, Columbia, MO 65201.
Ginger Riley
Hogan House Programs Director
Email: ginger@dosomethingrightnow.org
Content updated June 18, 2025
Search by location for shelters, food pantries, health clinics and clothing.
Content updated Sept. 4, 2025
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) division provides income-based nutrition services to pregnant women, new mothers, babies, and children up to their 5th birthday. The WIC staff helps families eat well and stay healthy.
Breastfeeding support
Nutrition education and counseling
Vouchers for healthy foods
Health screenings
Risk assessments
Referrals to health care
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Families that qualify for supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) or temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) automatically qualify.
To see if you pre-qualify for WIC services, use this pre-screening tool or call us at 573.874.7384opens phone dialer. WIC appointments can be made over the phone or in person at the WIC office, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1005 W Worley
Columbia, MO 65203
573-874-7355
Content updated Oct. 1, 2025
The Bare Necessities Pantry is designed to help MACC students access necessary personal care items or small food items they otherwise could not afford. The Bare Necessities Pantry is open to all currently enrolled students at MACC. Each campus location will have items to distribute to students. If you know a student that could benefit from receiving items from the Bare Necessities Pantry, please refer them to the campus contact for information.
Campus Contacts:
Moberly – Jennifer Haynes; Financial Aid Office
Columbia – Katherine Peavler, 573-234-1067
Mexico – Caroline Groves
Hannibal – Wendy Johnson
Kirksville – Denise Farmer
Seniors, individuals with disabilities or chronic illness.
Content updated Oct. 3, 2025
Meals on Wheels of Columbia is a non-profit organization that aims to extend independence to seniors in our community. Through the help of our many friendly volunteer drivers, we provide a daily M-F hot, nutritious meal to individuals who meet the following criteria: 1. Any senior 65 or over; 2. Any adult who has a diagnosed disability or chronic illness (any age 18+); 3. Any adult needing short-term food support after a recent hospitalization. We serve individuals of all incomes and have a pay what you can model. It is easy and quick to sign up. Complete form on website at www.mealsonwheelscolumbia.org or call to sign up: 573-886-7554.
800 Hospital Drive
Columbia, Mo 65201
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
573-886-7554
Email: office@mealsonwheelscolumbia.org
Visit website
Brunch Every 2nd Sun: 11:30 AM. All are welcome to participate.
204 E. Ash
Columbia, Mo 65203
573-443-5423
Content updated May 11, 2024
Dinner is served from 5:00-6:15 pm everyday of the week. Click here to volunteer to serve and/or donate food items with us!
Open to everyone
Must be sober. No-one admitted under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
1509 Ashley St.
Columbia, MO 65201
573-449-4363
Updated on: Jan. 24, 2024
Always available. Shelf sustainable foods and hygiene items. Also will be stocking with gently used sweatshirts, sweatpants and socks, gloves, hats, scarves and the like. Free Little Pantries and Blessing Boxes.
Location of the boxes in the area as of 12/30/2023: Visit website
Map of the boxes - Visit website
University of Missouri students, faculty, and staff and MU Healthcare employees
Content updated Nov. 8, 2024
Tiger Pantry and Truman's Closet offers nonperishable and perishable food items at no cost to students, faculty, and staff of the University of Missouri and MU Healthcare employees. Truman's Closet provides professional clothing rentals at no cost to Mizzou-affiliated people.
Hours of operation:
Sunday: 12-2pm
Tuesday: 4:30-6:30pm
Wednesday: 4:30-6:30pm
299 Hitt Street
Columbia, MO 65201
573-882-2704
Email
Second Saturday of the Month. 10 AM - 12 PM. Drive By or Pick Up. Bring the following for each person: Proof of address, Income, ID, & SS#.
4919 Prairie Ridge St
Columbia, MO 65203
Helen Robinson 573-819-0696
For emergency needs: 573-474-5885
Content updated Aug. 2, 2024
We provide food and households items to community members.
Hours: 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, 10 am -12 pm; November and December due to the holidays, 1st and and 3rd Saturday of the months.
Russell Chapel CME Church
108 E Ash St.
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 424-4408
Email: russellchapelcmechurch@gmail.com
No website
Content updated Jan. 24, 2024
Progressive Missionary Baptist Church's Food Pantry - 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 1-3 pm
702 Banks Avenue
Columbia, MO 65202
573-443-0611
Content updated May 28, 2025
Feeding America had staffing changes, and they are not helping with food stamp applications right now. They will direct clients back to the Food Bank. Here is the form anyone can fill out to have a Food Bank employee reach out to help someone apply via phone: SNAP Support • The Food Bank For Central & Northeast Missouri
Central Pantry is now located at 705 Business Loop 70W. If you live or work in Boone County and are in need of food assistance, you are welcome to visit Central Pantry. Our intake process is entirely self-declared, so no paperwork is required, just bring yourself to enroll at Central Pantry. A form of ID helps intake move quicker and the names and birthdates of other households written on a piece of paper help, but none are necessary.
Tuesday - Friday, 10 am - 4pm
Saturday, 10am - 2pm
705 Business Loop 70W
Columbia, MO 65201
573-874-7848
Updated on: Aug. 21, 2024
The Columbia Farmers Market provide a place for direct exchange of high quality and safe food between the local farmer and consumers. They offer a matching program for recipients of SNAP or WIC, kids activities and gardening workshops.
MU Healthcare Pavilion at Columbia’s Agriculture Park
1769 West Ash
Columbia, MO 65203
573-823-6889
Email: info@columbiafarmersmarket.org
Content updated Sept. 16, 2024
An interfaith agency providing many services.
1310 E McCarty Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-7776
Email
Visit Website
Content updated April 2, 2025
If you would like information on Catholic Charities programs or other local resources, please call 573-635-7719 or visit their website at https://cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/.
1015 Edmonds Street
Jefferson City MO 65109
573-635-7719
Content updated June 25, 2025
Voluntary Action Center is a local non profit responding to the basic needs of the individuals within our community. We provide financial assistance with basic and emergency needs to people living in Boone County, Missouri. VAC services and eligibility flyer
VAC serves:
Low-income families
Underemployed/unemployed
People with economic disadvantages
Individuals experiencing homelessness
Individuals with disabilities and the elderly
Disadvantaged youth
403a Vandiver Dr.
Columbia, Mo 65202
573-874-2273
Content updated Dec. 18, 2023
The Senior Center provides a safe place for individuals in their mature years to stopover to interact with persons approximately the same age, and share the same interests. Thru many different activities and a healthy meal program, people can stay active mentally as well as physically
The Center’s hours: Monday-Friday 9 AM-4PM
Lunch 10:45 - 12:45 pm; Take out only after 12:30 pm. A Full lunch ticket costs $7.00 ($6.00 for a veteran). A full lunch includes an entree, 2 sides, soup, dessert, and a drink. All items may be ordered individually as well. There is no age limit to come and eat.
1121 Business Loop 70 E
Columbia, MO 65202
573-874-2050
Email