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.

Food Assistance in Louisiana

13 verified resources.

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 Louisiana

Louisiana is the only US state based on civil law (Napoleonic Code) rather than common law. Family matters are heard in district courts, with most parishes having dedicated family sections. The Department of Children and Family Services Child Support Enforcement Services handles enforcement. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette are the major cities. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provide civil legal aid.

13 Resources

1. Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank — Free

Major regional food bank distributing emergency food through partner pantries, soup kitchens, and programs across 11 parishes in the Baton Rouge region. Supports fathers and families facing food insecurity. Call 225-359-9940 or visit 10600 S Choctaw Drive weekdays. Find a local partner pantry at brfoodbank.org. Useful primary hub for fathers needing food assistance and for those who want to volunteer or donate.

225-359-9940 · 10600 S Choctaw Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70815 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Second Harvest Food Bank – New Orleans — Free

Largest food bank in south Louisiana serving 23 parishes with emergency food, mobile pantries, child nutrition, and senior programs. Supports fathers and families facing food insecurity. Call 504-734-1322 or visit 700 Edwards Avenue weekdays. Find a partner pantry at no-hunger.org. Useful primary hub for New Orleans and south Louisiana fathers needing food assistance; also accepts volunteers and donations throughout the year.

504-734-1322 · 700 Edwards Ave, New Orleans, LA 70123 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana — Free

Emergency food distribution and partner pantry network serving fathers and families across the Shreveport and northwest Louisiana region. Call 318-675-2400 or visit 2307 Texas Avenue weekdays. Find a partner pantry near you at foodbanknla.org. Accepts volunteers and donations. Useful primary hub for fathers in Caddo, Bossier, and surrounding parishes needing ongoing food support or emergency assistance through partner pantries and programs.

318-675-2400 · 2307 Texas Ave, Shreveport, LA 71103 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

4. SNAP Benefits – Louisiana DCFS — Free

Apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps) through the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. Eligible fathers and families receive monthly benefits on an EBT card for groceries. Call 888-524-3578 or apply online at dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/snap. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, proof of income, residency, and household expenses for intake and eligibility determination across parish offices.

888-524-3578 · 627 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Food Bank of Acadiana — Free

Emergency food distribution serving 10 parishes across the Acadiana region through partner pantries, mobile distributions, and child nutrition programs. Supports fathers and families facing food insecurity. Call 337-235-1388 or visit 215 E Pinhook Road in Lafayette weekdays. Find a partner pantry or distribution near you through the Food Bank of Acadiana. Useful primary resource for Lafayette area fathers needing ongoing food support.

337-235-1388 · 215 E Pinhook Rd, Lafayette, LA 70501 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

6. Feeding America – Louisiana Partners — Free

National network of food banks with multiple Louisiana member food banks distributing emergency food across the state. Locate the food bank closest to you at feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank or call 800-771-2303. Each member food bank operates a partner pantry network. Useful for fathers statewide to quickly identify their regional food bank and find nearby pantries, mobile distributions, and nutrition programs.

800-771-2303 · Varies by location · Visit Website

7. Second Harvest of Central Louisiana — Free

Food bank serving central Louisiana communities with emergency food distribution, partner pantry support, and child nutrition programs. Supports fathers and families facing food insecurity in the Alexandria region. Call 318-445-2773 or visit 3219 Jackson Street weekdays. Find a partner pantry or distribution site near you. Useful primary hub for Alexandria area and surrounding rural parishes needing food support or emergency assistance.

318-445-2773 · 3219 Jackson St, Alexandria, LA 71301 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

8. Meals on Wheels – Louisiana — Free

Home-delivered meals for homebound seniors, adults with disabilities, and some eligible low-income individuals across Louisiana through local Meals on Wheels programs. Call 888-998-6325 or visit mealsonwheelsamerica.org to find your local provider. Bring photo ID and any disability or age verification. Useful for fathers caring for elderly parents or relatives who struggle with shopping and meal preparation at home across Louisiana parishes.

888-998-6325 · Mon-Fri · Visit Website

9. Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana — Free

Emergency food distribution and partner pantry network serving fathers and families in the Monroe region and surrounding northeast Louisiana parishes. Call 318-322-3567 or visit 4600 Central Avenue weekdays. Find a partner pantry or distribution site at foodbanknela.org. Accepts volunteers and donations. Useful primary resource for northeast Louisiana fathers needing ongoing food support or emergency assistance through the regional pantry network.

318-322-3567 · 4600 Central Ave, Monroe, LA 71203 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

10. Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission — Free

Free meals, emergency food assistance, shelter, and recovery services for homeless and low-income fathers and families in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Call 318-227-2868 or visit 520 Benton Road in Bossier City. Meals served at scheduled daily times; check sbrescuemission.com for current service schedule. Walk-ins welcome during meal service; useful primary resource for fathers needing immediate food or shelter in northwest Louisiana.

318-227-2868 · 520 Benton Rd, Bossier City, LA 71111 · Daily meal times · Visit Website

11. Volunteers of America – Food Programs — Free

Meal programs, food pantry assistance, and nutrition services for low-income fathers and families in the greater New Orleans area through Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana. Call 504-309-0700 or visit 4152 Canal Street weekdays. Bring photo ID and proof of residency when possible. Useful resource for fathers needing food support alongside other wraparound services including housing, veterans, and case management assistance.

504-309-0700 · 4152 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

12. St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry – New Orleans — Free

Free grocery assistance and emergency food through local parish conferences of the St. Vincent de Paul Society across the greater New Orleans area. Call 504-482-3220 or visit 1507 Magazine Street weekdays. Bring photo ID and proof of residency when possible. Individual parish conferences serve their local Catholic parish boundaries. Useful resource for fathers needing emergency grocery support across Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

504-482-3220 · 1507 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Mon-Fri 9am-3pm

13. Harvest Time Food Pantry – Lake Charles — Free

Community food pantry providing emergency grocery assistance for low-income fathers and families in southwest Louisiana including Calcasieu and surrounding parishes. Call 337-436-5504 for pantry schedule and requirements. Visit during Tuesday-Thursday morning hours. Bring photo ID and proof of residency when possible. Useful resource for fathers in the Lake Charles area needing supplemental groceries alongside SNAP or other food assistance programs.

337-436-5504 · Lake Charles, LA 70601 · Tues-Thurs 9am-12pm

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.