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 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.
Content updated Jan. 5, 2026
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
Lisa Hade, Regional Director - lisa@lasagnalove.org
Content updated July 17, 2026
The City of Columbia Summer Lunch Program provides free, nutritious lunches to children and teens 18 and under during the summer months, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the school lunch program.
Program Dates & Hours
Runs: June 1 – August 7, 2026
Closed: June 19 and July 3 (no lunch on these days)
Days: Monday–Friday
Meal times: Vary by site
CHA Residents
Content updated Dec. 4, 2025
The Annie Fisher Food Pantry supports families in meeting nutritional needs.
Resources Provided: Nutritious food from the Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri.
Hours: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
1201 Paquin St.
Columbia, MO, 65201
(573) 815-1072
Content updated Sept. 10, 2026
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 Aug. 10, 2026
Search by location for shelters, food pantries, health clinics and clothing.
Content updated Aug. 31, 2026
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, call us at 573.874.7384 (opens 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
Low-income individuals and families, Veterans, children, and all interested community members whether retired, college students, or anywhere in between
Content updated Aug. 14, 2026
Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture (CCUA) is a non-profit working in central Missouri out of two main locations: Columbia’s Agriculture Park and Mark and Carol Stevenson Veterans Urban Farm. Our vision is a community transformed by good food for all and the skills to grow it. We run a number of targeted programs to provide a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables directly to community members in need while supporting people of all ages with opportunities to develop lifelong skills in home gardening, agriculture, and cooking.
Locations:
Columbia's Agriculture Park (1769 W Ash Street)
Mark and Carol Stevenson's Veterans Urban Farm (1207 Smith Street)
Kilgore's Community Garden (700 N Providence Road)
Community Welcome Center at Columbia's Agriculture Park is open: Monday- Friday: 8am-6pm, and Saturday: 9am-12pm
573-514-4174
Email: info@columbiaurbanag.org
Visit website
Links for below programs:
OG: https://www.columbiaurbanag.org/opportunity-gardens
Apprenticeship: https://www.columbiaurbanag.org/apprenticeship
Veterans Programming: https://www.columbiaurbanag.org/veterans-urban-farm
Volunteering: https://www.columbiaurbanag.org/volunteer
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 Aug.10, 2026
Dinner is served from 5:00-6:15 pm every day 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
All in need of food and supplies
Content updated Oct. 3, 2025
Monthly Food Pantry services available to all in need.
Monthly Open Hours, 2nd Saturday, 10am-12pm
Call for emergency needs between 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday
4919 Prairie Ridge St Columbia, MO 65203
For emergency needs: 573-474-5885
Anyone in the Boone County area that has a need for food.
Content updated Oct. 3, 2025
We provide food for community members encountering food insecurity. Occasionally we have household and hygiene products.
Hours: The 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 10am-12pm with the exception of November and December we are open the 1st and 3rd Saturday due to the Holidays. Time is still the same.
Russell Chapel CME Church
108 E Ash St.
Columbia, MO 65203
Email: russellchapelcmechurch@gmail.com
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 Aug. 18, 2026
If you live in Boone County, you can visit The Food Bank Market to get nutritious food at no cost. The Market offers choice in the groceries visitors take home and regularly shares fresh and frozen produce, bread, dairy, meat and non-meat proteins and shelf-stable items. It also features space for local partners to share resources like housing or utilities assistance; legal counsel; SNAP support; education on Medicaid and health insurance; and more. In addition, Compass Health Network provides preventive and primary care services from a 1,108 square foot tenant space on-site. A demonstration kitchen allows The Food Bank’s nutrition education team to offer samples, demonstrations and training to support healthy eating and meal prep.
What do I need to bring with me to get help? The intake process is entirely self-declared, so no paperwork is required. Just bring yourself to enroll. Everyone in your household does not need to be present during the initial intake. A form of ID and the names and birthdates of other households written on a piece of paper can help make intake a quicker process, but no paperwork is necessary. The Market respects your privacy, and personal information will never be sold or shared.
Location: 705 Business Loop 70 W Columbia, MO 65201
HOURS: Tues.- Fri.: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat.: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Contact Us (573) 874-7848
Learn More The Food Bank Market • The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri
Weather-related and holiday closures are posted on our website calendar and social media accounts.
Content updated Oct. 31, 2025
Columbia Farmers Market is a year-round, producer-only farmers market located in the MU Health Care Pavilion at Columbia’s Agriculture Park, offering fresh, local produce, meat, eggs, cheeses, honey & more. SNAP payments are accepted, and SNAP & WIC matching programs, live music, and free kids activities are offered at each market.
Hours:
Summer Season: Saturdays 8am-12pm (April-Oct.)
Winter Season: Saturdays 9am-12pm (Nov.-March)
Weekday Season: Wednesdays 4-7pm (May 27th-Aug. 26th)
MU Healthcare Pavilion at Columbia’s Agriculture Park
1769 West Ash
Columbia, MO 65203
573-823-6889
Email: info@columbiafarmersmarket.org
Content updated Aug. 28, 2060
An interfaith agency providing many services including food, clothing, legal care program, help for parents and children, and holiday food (Thanksgiving and Christmas, uncooked).
1310 E McCarty Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-7776
Email: samaritan@midmosamaritan.org
Visit Website
Content updated March 3, 2026
This is the Jefferson City office which serves Central and Northern MO including Boone County. They provide services for family immigration services, those with food insecurity, Hope-emotional support chat bot, health and nutrition education, community garden, prison ministry, and Hispanic community outreach. If you would like more information on Catholic Charities programs or other local resources, please call 573-635-7719 or visit their website at https://cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/. Regular office hours 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
1015 Edmonds Street
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-635-7719
Email: info@cccnmo.org
Content updated Aug. 18, 2026
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 including some funds for both Birth Certificates (In the state of Missouri only) and for ID’s. The VAC Opportunity campus fully opened in July 2026 providing Waypoint Shelter, an emergency shelter for unhoused members of Boone County, New Day Columbia, Day Services for the unhoused with showers and laundry services, and Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen providing a hot meal every night of the year.
VAC serves:
Low-income families
Underemployed/unemployed
People with economic disadvantages
Individuals experiencing homelessness
Individuals with disabilities and the elderly
Disadvantaged youth
Hours of operation:
Cindy Mustard Resource Center: 9-12 and 1-4
Waypoint Shelter: Guests need to appear in-person at Waypoint Shelter after 5:30pm to check availability (the line starts to form then). Speak to a staff member at the door to get on the list for the night. Check-in ends at 7:30pm. Waypoint Shelter closes at 8:00am each Sunday-Friday and is open all day Saturday.
1300 Bowling Street
Columbia, Mo 65202
573-874-2273
Content updated Oct. 20, 2025
The 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 (ex: yoga, line dancing, exercise…), blood pressure, activities (ex: cards and pool), and volunteer opportunities.
Lunch is served from 10:45 - 12:45 pm. Take out option 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.
Senior Center’s Hours: Mon thru Fri 9 AM - 4 PM
1121 Business Loop 70 E
Columbia, MO 65202
573-874-2050
Email