You can receive food by visiting the food pantry or soup kitchen when it’s open. Make sure to check each resource page to see details like address, full schedule, and requirements.

Can someone deliver the food to my house?

Delivery services are very limited and are reserved for senior citizens or those with serious medical problems. If you believe you fall into either category, let us know and we may be able to help you find options in Essex.

What do I have to bring?

Every location is different! Please review the details included on each resource to see whether you need to bring any documentation like ID or proof of address, or supplies like bags to carry the food. If you don’t see any information on the resource, you don’t have to bring anything!

Do I need an appointment?

Every location is different! Some places in Essex accept appointments, some require it, and others allow walk-ins. Please review all details on the resource page to understand how you should prepare for your visit.

What kind of food do they have?

Food pantries offer grocery-style items such as canned food, fresh produce, and dry goods like pasta or rice that you can cook yourself. Soup kitchens offer ready-to-eat items like hot meals or sandwiches. All of these locations may have different options on different days, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.

Do they have vegetables?

Pantries may have different options at different times, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day. Most pantries in Essex do give out some form of vegetables, but they may be canned items.

Pantries may have different options on different days, so it’s hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.

Any pantries open today?

If you’ve signed up for personalized assistance through our text message helpline, please take a look at the links we’ve sent you! If none of the resources we’ve sent are open today, let us know and we can search for additional options. Here’s a list of everything in Essex that’s open today: Essex United Methodist Church

Where are you located?

Because our work is mostly virtual, the Lemontree team works remotely, and we don’t have an office in Essex for in-person visits. You can always reach us by texting 90847 or on WhatsApp between 10am-6pm, every day of the week.

Can I get a reminder before my visit?

Yes! Tap the bell icon on any resource page to set a reminder via text or WhatsApp before it opens, so you don’t forget your visit.

Can I build a weekly food schedule?

Yes — you can use Lemontree to build a calendar of upcoming pantry visits in Essex for the week, so you always know where to go and when. It’s a great way to plan ahead and make sure you have food throughout the week.

How do I get help from a real person?

You can text our helpline at 90847 or reach us on WhatsApp between 10am–6pm, every day of the week. A real person will help you find food in Essex, answer questions, and connect you with the right resources.

Free Food in Essex - Lemontree Directory

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Find Free Food In EssexLemontree makes it easy to find the best food pantries near you. Browse our directory, or sign up for personalized assistance & helpful tools. Our team of specialists can answer any question!

Days Open

Food pantry (groceries), Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)
St. John’s Food Pantry
46 reviews
Unclaimed
average user rating

0.28 mi
Info
Community dinner on the last Tuesday of each month.
Requirements
You can visit once a month
Offerings
Free Groceries
Schedule
Tomorrow
Food pantry (groceries): 8:00 am–1:00 pm
Appointment required
Must bring own bags/cart
Call in advance for services
Next Monday
Food pantry (groceries): 8:00 am–1:00 pm
Appointment required
Must bring own bags/cart
Call in advance for services
Next Tuesday
Food pantry (groceries): 8:00 am–1:00 pm
Appointment required
Must bring own bags/cart
Call in advance for services
Food pantry (groceries): 8:00 am–1:00 pm
every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
every month on the last Tuesday
Location
518 Franklin Avenue
Essex, MD 21221
directions
Contact
(410) 687-4621
www.stjohnsofessex.org
Is this your food pantry?Claim it!
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Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals), Food pantry (groceries)
Essex United Methodist Church
63 reviews
Unclaimed
10 minutes
average wait time

0.29 mi
Info
-Might not have translators on site
Requirements
ID required
Offerings
Prepared Meals
Schedule
Open now!
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 3:30 pm–5:30 pm
Next Wednesday
Food pantry (groceries): 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Clothing may be available
Next Wednesday
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 3:30 pm–5:30 pm
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 3:30 pm–5:30 pm
every week on Wednesday
Food pantry (groceries): 10:00 am–1:00 pm
every week on Wednesday
Location
524 Maryland Avenue
Essex, MD 21221
directions
Contact
(410) 686-2867
Is this your soup kitchen?Claim it!
Food pantry (groceries)
AfriThrive Baltimore County
11 reviews
Unclaimed
10 minutes
average wait time

0.13 mi
Info
AfriThrive provides culturally relevant, nutritious food for African diaspora and minority families through its Healthy Food Initiative. This pantry uses a client-choice model where you select your own groceries, similar to shopping at a store. Offerings include fresh produce, pantry staples, and culturally familiar items such as pumpkin leaves, plantains, and cassava flour. The organization also connects clients to nutrition education and other social services. AfriThrive sources food from its own community farm and local partners to ensure quality and cultural relevance.
Offerings
Free Groceries
Client choice pantry
Other social services available
Fresh produce
Delivery may be available
Schedule
Thu, June 11th (next week)
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Thu, June 25th (in 3 weeks)
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Thu, July 9th (next month)
10:00 am–12:00 pm
10:00 am–12:00 pm
every month on the 2nd Thursday
10:00 am–12:00 pm
every month on the 4th Thursday
Location
303 Eastern Boulevard
Essex, MD 21221
directions
Contact
(240) 706-1517
https://www.afrithrive.org/healthy-food-initiative
Is this your food pantry?Claim it!
How do I get food?
You can receive food by visiting the food pantry or soup kitchen when it’s open. Make sure to check each resource page to see details like address, full schedule, and requirements.
Can someone deliver the food to my house?
Delivery services are very limited and are reserved for senior citizens or those with serious medical problems. If you believe you fall into either category, let us know and we may be able to help you find options in Essex.
What do I have to bring?
Every location is different! Please review the details included on each resource to see whether you need to bring any documentation like ID or proof of address, or supplies like bags to carry the food. If you don’t see any information on the resource, you don’t have to bring anything!
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)
Church of the Harbor
7 reviews
Unclaimed
average user rating

0.85 mi
Info
Contact: Bill Ledford and Russel Purkey

https://www.facebook.com/churchoftheharbor/
Offerings
Prepared Meals
Schedule
Next Sunday
12:15 pm
First come, first serve: open until food runs out
Sun, June 14th (in 2 weeks)
12:15 pm
First come, first serve: open until food runs out
Sun, June 21st (in 3 weeks)
12:15 pm
First come, first serve: open until food runs out
12:15 pm
every week on Sunday
Location
911 Mace Avenue
Essex, MD 21221
directions
Contact
(410) 686-8499
https://churchoftheharbor.org/
Is this your soup kitchen?Claim it!
Food pantry (groceries)
Community Assistance Network Food Pantry & Community Resource Center
47 reviews
Unclaimed
10 minutes
average wait time

1.99 mi
Info
Neighbors must be signed in by 10:45 a.m. for morning pantry distribution, and must be signed in by 2:45 p.m. for afternoon pantry distribution. Note: If there is a holiday on a Monday the pantry will be closed and they will then open on that Tuesday from 9 – 10:45 a.m. and then again from 1 – 2:45 p.m. Documents needed for pantry service ( https://www.canconnects.org/_files/ugd/bc52ba_66b5a2dc4a3a447ab737d9d2cb47b94f.pdf)
Requirements
You can visit once a month
ID required
Proof of address required
Proof of household income required
Offerings
Free Groceries
Schedule
Tomorrow
9:00 am–10:45 am
Tomorrow
1:00 pm–2:45 pm
This Friday
9:00 am–10:45 am
9:00 am–10:45 am
every week on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
1:00 pm–2:45 pm
every week on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Location
7900 Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
directions
Contact
(410) 285-4674
https://www.canconnects.org/
Is this your food pantry?Claim it!
Food pantry (groceries)
St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Church
11 reviews
Unclaimed
5 minutes
average wait time

1.98 mi
Offerings
Free Groceries
Schedule
Tomorrow
9:00 am–11:00 am
Thu, June 11th (next week)
9:00 am–11:00 am
Thu, June 18th (in 2 weeks)
9:00 am–11:00 am
9:00 am–11:00 am
every week on Thursday
Location
1212 Chesaco Avenue
Rosedale, MD 21237
directions
Contact
(410) 686-6188
https://stclementmh.org/
Is this your food pantry?Claim it!
Food pantry (groceries)
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
18 reviews
Unclaimed
average user rating

2.01 mi
Info

Call Millie for appointments

Enter through the main entrance on the left along the driveway. Ring buzzer to enter.
Requirements
You can visit once a month
ID required
Offerings
Free Groceries
Schedule
Next Wednesday
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Wed, June 17th (in 2 weeks)
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Wed, June 24th (in 3 weeks)
10:00 am–12:00 pm
10:00 am–12:00 pm
every week on Wednesday
Location
8212 Philadelphia Road
Rosedale, MD 21237
directions
Contact
(410) 866-8766
https://www.facebook.com/PrinceOfPeaceRosedale/
Is this your food pantry?Claim it!
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)
St. Stephen’s AME Church
9 reviews
Unclaimed
average user rating

1.65 mi
Offerings
Prepared Meals
Schedule
Tomorrow
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 12:00 pm–1:00 pm
Next Tuesday
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 12:00 pm–1:00 pm
Next Wednesday
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 12:00 pm–1:00 pm
Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 12:00 pm–1:00 pm
every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Location
1601 Old Eastern Avenue
Essex, MD 21221
directions
Contact
(410) 686-9392
Is this your soup kitchen?Claim it!
Food pantry (groceries)
Love Thy Neighbor Food Pantry Inc
48 reviews
Claimed
45 minutes
average wait time

1.96 mi
Info
Love Thy Neighbor Food Pantry is a faith-based nonprofit providing free groceries. Clients must arrive at 9 AM to receive a number for same-day food distribution, which typically begins at 12 PM. The pantry offers a variety of perishable and nonperishable items, and provides services without special requirements.
Offerings
Free Groceries
Fresh produce
Toiletries may be available
Schedule
Next Tuesday
12:00 pm–2:00 pm
Diapers/baby essentials may be available
Tue, June 16th (in 2 weeks)
12:00 pm–2:00 pm
Diapers/baby essentials may be available
Tue, June 23rd (in 3 weeks)
12:00 pm–2:00 pm
Diapers/baby essentials may be available
12:00 pm–2:00 pm
every week on Tuesday
Location
5870 Belair Rd
Baltimore, MD 21206
directions
Contact
(443) 915-6449
https://lovethyneighborfoodpantry.us/
Food pantry (groceries)
Rosedale Baptist Church Food Pantry
76 reviews
Claimed
30 minutes
average wait time

3 mi
Info
This food pantry offers groceries on Fridays and produce on the first Saturday of each month.
Requirements
Must bring own bags/cart
Offerings
Free Groceries
Other social services available
Fresh produce
Diapers/baby essentials may be available
Schedule
This Friday
Food pantry (groceries): 5:30 pm–8:00 pm
Client choice pantry
This Saturday
Food pantry (groceries): 10:00 am–12:00 pm
First come, first serve: open until food runs out
Fri, June 12th (next week)
Food pantry (groceries): 5:30 pm–8:00 pm
Client choice pantry
Fri, June 19th (in 2 weeks)
CLOSED
Client choice pantry
Food pantry (groceries): 10:00 am–12:00 pm
every month on the 1st Saturday
Food pantry (groceries): 5:30 pm–8:00 pm
every week on Friday
Location
9202 Philadelphia Rd
Baltimore, MD 21237
directions
Contact
(410) 682-4114
https://www.rosedalebaptist.org/ministries/
Do I need an appointment?
Every location is different! Some places in Essex accept appointments, some require it, and others allow walk-ins. Please review all details on the resource page to understand how you should prepare for your visit.
What kind of food do they have?
Food pantries offer grocery-style items such as canned food, fresh produce, and dry goods like pasta or rice that you can cook yourself. Soup kitchens offer ready-to-eat items like hot meals or sandwiches. All of these locations may have different options on different days, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.
Do they have vegetables?
Pantries may have different options at different times, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day. Most pantries in Essex do give out some form of vegetables, but they may be canned items.
Do they have meat?
Pantries may have different options on different days, so it’s hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.
Any pantries open today?
If you’ve signed up for personalized assistance through our text message helpline, please take a look at the links we’ve sent you! If none of the resources we’ve sent are open today, let us know and we can search for additional options. Here’s a list of everything in Essex that’s open today: Essex United Methodist Church
Where are you located?
Because our work is mostly virtual, the Lemontree team works remotely, and we don’t have an office in Essex for in-person visits. You can always reach us by texting 90847 or on WhatsApp between 10am-6pm, every day of the week.
Can I get a reminder before my visit?
Yes! Tap the bell icon on any resource page to set a reminder via text or WhatsApp before it opens, so you don’t forget your visit.
Can I build a weekly food schedule?
Yes — you can use Lemontree to build a calendar of upcoming pantry visits in Essex for the week, so you always know where to go and when. It’s a great way to plan ahead and make sure you have food throughout the week.
How do I get help from a real person?
You can text our helpline at 90847 or reach us on WhatsApp between 10am–6pm, every day of the week. A real person will help you find food in Essex, answer questions, and connect you with the right resources.