Birmingham Free Store & Food Pantry

Food Assistance · Alabama · Free

Free groceries and household items for Birmingham-area fathers and families in need at the 5th Avenue South location. Services are free; bring photo ID and proof of address if available. Frequency of assistance may be limited per household, and specific items depend on current donations. The store operates Mon-Fri 9am-2pm for walk-in clients. Call ahead to confirm hours and any current distribution limitations or special programs.

Contact & Details

Address: 1401 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233

Phone: 205-252-6500

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-2pm

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in Alabama

Alabama family law runs through circuit courts in each of its 67 counties, with the Alabama Department of Human Resources handling child support enforcement. Major population centers include Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Huntsville. Fathers can access free family court help through the Alabama Access to Justice Commission and Legal Services Alabama.

More Food Assistance in Alabama

  • Community Food Bank of Central Alabama — Regional food bank distributing groceries to pantries and partner agencies across central Alabama, serving fathers and families in need. Dad
  • Montgomery Area Food Bank — Regional food bank serving 35 counties in central and south Alabama with emergency food distribution through partner pantries. Fathers and f
  • Food Bank of North Alabama — Emergency food distribution serving 11 counties in north Alabama through a network of partner pantries and mobile distributions, supporting
  • SNAP Benefits – Alabama DHR — Apply for SNAP (food stamp) benefits through the Alabama Department of Human Resources, providing monthly grocery assistance for income-elig
  • Feeding the Gulf Coast — Regional food bank serving southwest Alabama and the Gulf Coast region, distributing groceries through partner pantries for fathers and fami
  • WIC Program – Alabama — Nutrition assistance for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 in Alabama, supporting father-led and two-parent househo

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?
Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?
Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?
Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?
USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.