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Find Free Food In Polk CountyLemontree 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!
  1. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    City of Refuge

    42 reviews

    Unclaimed

    30 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    A church-run community assistance resource operated by City of Refuge-Lakeland/COGIC for people experiencing food insecurity.

    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries
      • Clothing may be available

    Schedule

    • This Thursday

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Thu, October 1st (next week)

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Thu, October 8th (in 2 weeks)

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • 9:00 am–11:00 am

      every week on Thursday

    Map of City of Refuge

    Location

    1102 North Ruth Avenue

    Lakeland, FL 33805

    directions

    Contact

    (863) 940-2061

    https://www.facebook.com/CityofRefugeLakeland/

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  3. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    45 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time


    • Requirements

      • You can visit once a month
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Open now!

      11:00 am–1:00 pm

    • Next Tuesday

      11:00 am–1:00 pm

    • Tue, October 6th (in 2 weeks)

      11:00 am–1:00 pm

    • 11:00 am–1:00 pm

      every week on Tuesday

  4. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    40 reviews

    Unclaimed

    8 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    Church-operated food pantry run by Greater St. Paul's Family Services unit, partnering with Feeding Tampa Bay to provide groceries to the community. The parent organization is Greater Saint Paul MBI Church, Academy, and Daycare. No ID or income requirements; expect to complete minimal paperwork; households may be served once per month. The pantry entrance is at 1019 W. 5th St, on or adjacent to the church campus near 1130 N. Webster Ave; signage from Webster Ave may be limited.

    • Requirements

      • You can visit once a month
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries
      • Clothing may be available

    Schedule

    • This Thursday

      Food pantry (groceries): 10:00 am–12:00 pm

    • Next Monday

      Food pantry (groceries): 10:00 am–12:00 pm

    • Thu, October 1st (next week)

      Food pantry (groceries): 10:00 am–12:00 pm

    • Food pantry (groceries): 10:00 am–12:00 pm

      every week on Monday

    • Food pantry (groceries): 10:00 am–12:00 pm

      every week on Thursday

  5. 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.

  6. 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 Polk County.

  7. 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!

  8. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    41 reviews

    Unclaimed

    5 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    This faith-based organization provides groceries on Saturdays. Clients must attend a church service, which begins at 9:00 AM, to receive food. An ID showing residency in Polk County is required.

    • Requirements

      • You can visit once a week
      • ID required
      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • This Saturday

      9:00 am–12:00 pm

    • Sat, October 3rd (next week)

      9:00 am–12:00 pm

    • Sat, October 10th (in 2 weeks)

      9:00 am–12:00 pm

    • 9:00 am–12:00 pm

      every week on Saturday

  9. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    36 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    This church-run food pantry distributes free groceries weekly. It operates from the Better Living Center on the church campus and serves community members. Clients must fill out a form upon arrival.

    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Tomorrow

      Food pantry (groceries): 5:00 pm–6:00 pm

    • Wed, September 30th (next week)

      Food pantry (groceries): 5:00 pm–6:00 pm

    • Wed, October 7th (in 2 weeks)

      Food pantry (groceries): 5:00 pm–6:00 pm

    • Food pantry (groceries): 5:00 pm–6:00 pm

      every week on Wednesday

  10. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    15 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time


    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries
      • Diapers/baby essentials may be available

    Schedule

    • Mon, October 5th (in 2 weeks)

      9:00 am

    • Mon, October 19th (in 4 weeks)

      9:00 am

    • Mon, November 2nd (in 2 months)

      9:00 am

    • 9:00 am

      every month on the 1st Monday

    • 9:00 am

      every month on the 3rd Monday

  11. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    35 reviews

    Unclaimed

    13 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    A parish-affiliated food pantry operated by St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lakeland, Florida, providing free groceries to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in the Polk County community. The program operates as part of the federal TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) network and distributes pre-packed boxes and bags of fresh groceries on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out. Multilingual assistance is available in English, Spanish, and Bosnian. The site offers curbside drive-through pickup in an outdoor setting, with free parking, wheelchair accessibility, and proximity to public transit. The pantry is open to anyone in need regardless of age, with priority given to Lakeland and Polk County residents.

    • Requirements

      • ID required
      • Proof of address required
      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
      • Drive-thru only
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Next Tuesday

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Tue, October 6th (in 2 weeks)

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Tue, October 13th (in 3 weeks)

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • 9:00 am–11:00 am

      every week on Tuesday

    Contact

    (863) 276-3775(Tue 9am–11am)

    https://stjosephlakeland.org

  12. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    19 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    Lakes Church's Neighborhood Market is a community food-assistance program for local households experiencing hardship, with first-time participants receiving coaching and help connecting to additional practical resources.

    • Requirements

      • ID required
      • Proof of address required
      • Call in advance for services
      • Registration required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Today

      3:00 pm–6:00 pm

      • Client choice pantry
      • Other social services available
    • Tomorrow

      9:00 am–12:00 pm

      • Client choice pantry
      • Other social services available
    • Tue, September 29th (next week)

      3:00 pm–6:00 pm

      • Client choice pantry
      • Other social services available
    • 3:00 pm–6:00 pm

      every week on Tuesday

    • 9:00 am–12:00 pm

      every week on Wednesday

  13. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    22 reviews

    Unclaimed

    30 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    Church-run food pantry providing free groceries to individuals and families in need.

    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Next Monday

      Food pantry (groceries): 11:00 am

    • Mon, October 5th (in 2 weeks)

      Food pantry (groceries): 11:00 am

    • Mon, October 12th (in 3 weeks)

      CLOSED

    • Food pantry (groceries): 11:00 am

      every week on Monday

  14. Street view

    Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)

    8 reviews

    Unclaimed

    25 minutes

    average wait time


    • Requirements

      • ID required
      • Must bring own bags/cart
      • Registration required
    • Offerings

      • Prepared Meals

    Schedule

    • Today

      Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 4:30 pm–6:30 pm

    • This Saturday

      Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 12:00 pm

      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
    • Next Sunday

      Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 9:30 am

    • Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 4:30 pm–6:30 pm

      every week on Tuesday

    • Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 12:00 pm

      every week on Saturday

    • Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 9:30 am

      every week on Sunday

    • Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 12:00 pm

      every week on Sunday

  15. Do I need an appointment?

    Every location is different! Some places in Polk County 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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 Polk County do give out some form of vegetables, but they may be canned items.

  18. 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.

  19. 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 Polk County that’s open today: Harmony MBC Food Pantry, Lakes Church Neighborhood Market, Dream Center of Lakeland

  20. Where are you located?

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

  21. 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.

  22. Can I build a weekly food schedule?

    Yes — you can use Lemontree to build a calendar of upcoming pantry visits in Polk County 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.

  23. 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 Polk County, answer questions, and connect you with the right resources.