Shade Tree – Meal Services

Food Assistance · Nevada · Free

Provides free meals, shelter, and support services for women, children, and families in crisis at 1 W Owens Ave in Las Vegas. Meals are served on a daily schedule; fathers with custody of children may be referred to partner shelters if space requires it. Services are free to qualifying families. Bring photo ID, children's birth certificates, and any relevant case paperwork when seeking longer-term shelter or case-management services.

Contact & Details

Address: 1 W Owens Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89106

Phone: 702-385-0072

Hours: Daily meal times

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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 Nevada

Nevada family courts handle divorce, custody, and support — with Clark County (Las Vegas) operating the state's largest family court. The Child Support Enforcement Program operates under DWSS. Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, and North Las Vegas are the major metros. Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and Washoe Legal Services provide civil legal aid in the state's two main population centers.

More Food Assistance in Nevada

  • Three Square Food Bank – Las Vegas — Largest food bank in southern Nevada, partnering with hundreds of pantries, schools, and meal programs across Clark and Nye Counties. Main w
  • Food Bank of Northern Nevada – Reno — Regional food bank serving 15 counties in northern Nevada and eastern California through a network of partner pantries and mobile distributi
  • Feeding America – Nevada Partners — National network whose Nevada member food banks distribute emergency food through pantries, meal programs, and mobile distributions statewid
  • Las Vegas Rescue Mission — Provides free meals daily to anyone in need at 480 W Bonanza Rd in downtown Las Vegas, along with emergency shelter and recovery programs. M
  • Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission – Food — Offers free meals and food distribution daily at 145 W 3rd St in downtown Reno, along with shelter and recovery programs. Meal times follow
  • Meals on Wheels – Nevada — National Meals on Wheels network connecting homebound seniors, disabled adults, and sometimes veterans across Nevada with home-delivered mea

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.