ND 211 Food Resources

Food Assistance · North Dakota · Free

Free 24/7 helpline connecting North Dakota families with food pantries, hot-meal sites, SNAP application help, and school-meal programs through a statewide resource database. Dial 211 anytime from any phone. Specialists can text or email referrals based on your ZIP code. Useful when facing an empty pantry. Services are free. Have your ZIP code, household size, and any dietary needs ready when you call the helpline.

Contact & Details

Address: Statewide service

Phone: 211

Hours: 24/7

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 North Dakota

North Dakota district courts handle family matters across seven judicial districts. The Child Support Division operates under DHHS. Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot are the largest cities. Legal Services of North Dakota is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

More Food Assistance in North Dakota

  • North Dakota SNAP Benefits — Monthly food benefits loaded onto an EBT card for eligible low-income North Dakota households including single-father families. Apply throug
  • North Dakota WIC Program — Nutrition assistance providing monthly food benefits, formula vouchers, breastfeeding support, and nutrition counseling for pregnant women,
  • Churches United for the Homeless — Fargo — Daily meals, shelter, and food-pantry assistance for families and single adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the Fargo-Moorhea
  • Feeding America — ND Partners — National network of food banks and pantries with member agencies across North Dakota offering free emergency food boxes and meal programs to
  • Community Food Bank of Grand Forks — Food distribution and emergency food assistance for families across northeast North Dakota including Grand Forks and surrounding rural commu
  • Minot Community Food Pantry — Emergency food assistance for individuals and families in Minot and northwest North Dakota offered through a volunteer-run pantry with regul

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.