One of the best things about our community is its ability to rally together, to hold each other close in a time of need, to show up for each other when times are tough, and most importantly support and love each other. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.
The community has already done an outstanding job of rounding up resources which I’ve compiled here and will keep updating as much as possible. With the ever-evolving nature of this kind of thing, it’s recommended to check in with the individual organizations to check for the latest availability and eligibility.
A big thank you to @tucsonloveletter who compiled a huge, printable version of resources here and @happilypinkblog who also rounded up some community resources.
Support your local partners a little harder, especially the restaurants, mutual aid groups, individuals and more who are working tirelessly to make sure families have access to food.
Free Meals and Food Assistance
The following local businesses are offering free or discounted meals and groceries to residents in need. Entries are listed by date, followed by ongoing offers in alphabetical order.
- Ceres & Noodies As of Nov. 1, Ceres (77 W. Washington St.) and Noodies (1730 E. Speedway) are generously offering uncooked short-cut pasta. This will be available to anyone losing SNAP benefits. Learn more here.
- Heirloom Farmers Markets Also as of Nov. 1, Heirloom Farmers Markets will issue $40 vouchers to SNAP participants at any of their five markets. The vouchers provide $10 for Arizona-grown produce and $30 for other SNAP-eligible foods. This is first come, first served, as funds are limited. Learn more here.
- Holy Focaccia Holy Focaccia is providing freshly baked loaves for pick-up at Brick Box Brewery (220 E. Broadway) for anyone who has lost SNAP benefits. Simply walk up to the bar and mention you are there to pick up a loaf. Learn more here.
- Just Kabab Through Nov. 7, Just Kabab (10420 N. La Canada Dr.) will be giving away giving free frozen meals to anyone who shows an EBT card. Learn more here.
- Kingfisher Kingfisher (2564 E. Grant Rd.) is opening its doors to feed furloughed federal employees and their families. The restaurant expects to serve about 250 to 300 free meals on a first-come, first-served basis. Pick-up times are:
- Sun, Nov 9: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Sun, Nov 16: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Thurs, Nov 27 (Thanksgiving): 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Learn more here.
- SNACK As of Nov. 3, SNACK at The Boxyard (238 N. Fourth Ave.) will provide free daily sack lunches to anyone who shows their EBT card. Learn more here.
- Brick Box Brewery, Katsu House & Miss Fire Bites are working together to provide free meals starting Nov. 5. Present your EBT card at Brick Box Brewery/ Katsu House (220 E. Broadway) while supplies last. Learn more here.
- Saffron Indian Bistro From Nov. 5-7, Saffron Indian Bistro (7607 N Oracle Rd.) is offering free buffet lunch boxes to anyone who shows their EBT card. Learn more here.
- Houlden’s Rise Above Starting Friday, Nov. 7, Houlden’s Rise Above (5029 E. Fifth St.) will provide scratch-made take-and-heat meals for anyone facing food insecurity. Just ask for the “lunch special.” Learn more here.
- You can donate to their Feed the People fund here to keep their work going.
- Wild West Meat Markets Throughout November, kids can get a free meal at Carniceria Wild West (4825 N. 1st Ave.), Wild West Mini Market (4889 W. Ajo Hwy.), Wild West Mini Market – Swan (2485 N Swan Rd), and Carniceria El Novillo (885 E. Golf Links Rd.) from 1-4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Show an EBT card or school ID to redeem a free kids meal, “made with love”. Learn more here.
- If you’d like to show your support, shop at the carnicerias or place an order online to help them keep feeding local families.
- Hotdogs 501 Hotdogs 501 (1111 N. Main Ave.) will provide free meals for children whose families have been affected by the shutdown. Each child will receive a free hotdog or three tacos. This is available Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., while supplies last.
- Joyful Bouqcakes Living up to their name, Joyful Bouqcakes is offering a personal-size cake those that have been affected by the shutdown or suspension of SNAP benefits, and have celebration this month. Learn more here.
- Kneller’s Delicatessen Kneller’s Delicatessen (2545 E. Speedway Blvd.) is helping in two ways: they’re hosting a food drive for the Community Food Bank and offering a free egg and cheese sandwich or day-old bagel (while supplies last) to anyone with an EBT card. Learn more here.
- Rocco’s Little Chicago Rocco’s Little Chicago (2555 E. Broadway Blvd.) is offering half-off lunch specials for all federal employees. This discount will last until the government shutdown ends. Learn more here.
- South Tucson Community Outreach This wonderful group will be packing and distributing food boxes in the community. No questions are asked, and no personal information is required. You can also volunteer to help distribute boxes. Learn more here.
- Vera Earl Vera Earl wants to ensure no one goes hungry during this time. Anyone needing food assistance, with a valid SNAP card in-hand, can stop by the store (3282 AZ-82, Sonoita, AZ 85637) once per week to receive up to three pounds of certain cuts of beef, no questions asked. Learn more here.
Food Drives and Community Donations
The following organizations are collecting food, funds, and other items to support residents.
- Presta Coffee Roasters Presta Coffee Roasters is hosting a food drive for the Community Food Bank through Nov. 18 across all three of their locations. Learn more here.
- Di Luna Candles Di Luna Candles (2700 N. Campbell Ave.) is teaming up with Tucson Spotlight for a food drive on Nov. 8-9. As a thank you, they’re offering $5 off your purchase when you drop off two cans or more. Learn more here.
- Shaolin Kung Fu Academy & Girl Power You can drop off donations for the Community Food Bank at Shaolin Kung Fu Academy and Girl Power (3106 E. Fort Lowell Rd.) through Nov. 22. Learn more here.
- Espressoul Cafe Espressoul Cafe (1525 N. Wilmot Rd.) is holding a donation drive from Nov. 5-9. They are collecting grocery gift cards, hygiene essentials, rice, pasta, and beans. Learn more here.
- Tucson Love Letter & Tanque Verde Market Tucson Love Letter and Tanque Verde Market (located inside of Tucson Country Day School at 9239 E. Wrightstown Rd.) are hosting a food drive at their upcoming artisan market. Bring donations on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more here.
- The 4th Ave Coalition The 4th Ave Coalition is temporarily turning its lending library into a community food pantry. Neighbors are welcome to drop off non-perishable food items at the library in front of their space (311 E. 7th Street).
- Belle Star Salon Belle Star Salon (431 E. 7th St.) is collecting and distributing grocery gift cards to those in need. You can contribute by donating gift cards or money at the shop or via Venmo. Learn more here.
- Cactus Clouds Art Local artist Cactus Clouds Art has started an Instagram chain where folks can directly connect with those who need help and with otehrs who can provide it. Learn more here.
- Casa Maria Soup Kitchen Casa Maria Soup Kitchen (352 E. 25th St.) continues to be a vital resource, recently serving 540 lunches just on Thursday last week. With demand increasing, they urgently need donations of time, resources, food, or pet food.
- You can also support them by attending a benefit concert on Nov. 14 at Club Congress. Learn more here.
- Community Food Bank The Community Food Bank needs volunteers to pack and distribute emergency food boxes. You can help at their 3003 S. Country Club Rd. location. Learn more here.
- Mutual Aid Groups Several mutual aid groups such as Muna Food AZ, Community Care Tucson, Food not Bombs, and BCC Tucson have launched the Tucson Grocery Connection, a community-run spreadsheet. People can list their needs, and neighbors are invited to coordinate directly to help them. You can view the spreadsheet here.
- PopCycle Shop PopCycle Shop (422 N. 4th Ave.) is giving away 20 $50 gift cards to anyone in need. You can also contribute to this effort by donating toward more gift cards. You can donate towards a gift card here.
- The Rialto Theatre The Rialto Theatre (318 E. Congress St.) is offering free tickets to select shows as a thank you for donations. Just bring five food or hygiene items, or five pounds of pet food, to the box office. Learn more here.
Pet Food and Supply Assistance
Pets are family too. If you are facing food insecurity, please reach out to one of these organizations providing assistance with pet food and supplies.
- Arizona Pet Project
- Cody’s Friends
- God’s Vast Resources Food Pantry
- Grace St. Paul – Joseph’s Pantry
- Greater Vail Community Resources
- Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter – The Food For People’s Pets Program
- Humane Society of Southern Arizona – Pet Pantry and Food Distribution
- Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) – Pet Food Distributions
- Primavera Foundation
- Scarritt Foundation
- Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation – Pawsitive Friends Pet Food Bank
- Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank
- St. Francis Community Services
- St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
- The Animal League of Green Valley – The Attic Thrift Store
- Tucson Mountain Baptist Church
- WORKship Project Tucson
Local Organizations and Food Pantries
The following is a list of established organizations serving the Tucson area. Please check with each organization for current hours and eligibility.
- Ajo Commodities Distribution
- Amphi Family Resource Center
- Amphi Liberation Mutual Aid (ALMA)
- Anna Lawrence Intermediate School
- Arivaca Human Resources
- Avra Valley Mobile
- Baboquivari Unified School District – Sunrise House Family Resource Center
- Borderlands Produce On Wheels With-Out Waste (P.O.W.W.O.W.)
- Calvary Tucson
- Caring Ministries
- Casa Maria Soup Kitchen
- CDO Food Pantry – CDO Assembly of God
- Christ Church United Methodist
- Community Care Tucson
- Community Christian Church of Marana
- Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
- Community Lunch Program – Pima Council on Aging
- Community on Wheels
- El Rio Health (Northwest and Southeast clinics only)
- Envision High School
- Esperanza en Escalante
- Flowing Wells Assembly of God
- Flowing Wells Unified School District Family Resource Center
- Friends of Robles Ranch Food Bank
- Gabrielle Giffords Resource Center
- Gap Ministries Warehouse
- Gator-Aid
- God’s Vast Resources Food Pantry
- Grace St. Paul – Joseph’s Pantry
- Greater Vail Community Resources
- Green Valley Community Food Bank
- Gu-Vo District
- HavenTotes
- His Presence Church
- Holy Family Roman Catholic Church
- IMPACT of Southern Arizona
- Interfaith Community Services (ICS)
- ISDA International Sonoran Desert Alliance (Ajo)
- ISKCON Tucson
- Lend A Hand Senior Assistance
- Littletown Food Bank
- Marana Food Bank
- Marana Unified School District – Family Resource Center
- Market on the Move – The 3000 Club
- Masjid Tucson
- Monsoon Mystics
- Most Holy Trinity Church
- Neighbors Feeding Neighbors – St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
- New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church
- New Life Church
- New Life Community Services (Vida Nueva Centro De Recursos)
- New Spirit Lutheran Church
- Northminster Presbyterian Church Deacon’s Pantry
- Pascua Yaqui Tribe – Tu’l Bwa’ame (Good Food) Pantry
- Passion Church
- Picture Rocks Mobile
- Pima Community College – ARC Resource Center and Food Pantry
- Pima County Public Library – Snack Time
- Pio Decimo Center – Catholic Community Services of Southern AZ
- Primavera Foundation
- Queer Girl’s Pantry for Kids
- Rising Star Baptist Church
- Saguaro Christian Church
- Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center
- Saint Philip’s In The Hills
- Salvation Army – Amphi Corps
- Santa Cruz Lutheran Church
- Sister José Women’s Center
- Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
- Southside Presbyterian Church
- South Tucson Community Outreach
- St. Francis Community Services
- St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
- St. Vincent de Paul – Our Mother of Sorrows
- Sunnyside Foundation
- The Lot on 22nd
- The Tucson Family Food Project
- Tucson Food Share (Tucson Food Not Bombs)
- Tucson Indian Center
- Tucson Mountain Baptist Church
- Tucson Unified School District – Family & Community Engagement Department
- United Christian Fellowship
- University of Arizona Campus Pantry
- WORKship Project Tucson
- Youth On Their Own
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